There's a lot to be said for US-inspired brown ales. After all, what's not to like in a style that is based around ensuring there's lots of rich malt flavour and plenty of big hops joining in the party too? It's the style the brewing team at McLaren Vale has plumped for as the fourth release in its occasional EXP limited release, keg-only series. They've plumped for some pretty punchy American hop varieties too - Simcoe and newcomers El Dorado and Zythos - which have been pitted against five malts. The result, we're told, is aromas of "rich chocolate and caramel, combined with tropical fruit and vanilla-pine derived from the hops". It's a similar story with the flavour, although the brewers reckon you'll find citrus and stonefruit hop characters too. Completing the picture, they used nitrogen when filling the kegs to create a creamier mouthfeel. Sounds luvverly.
Sign up to our newsletters and get the latest craft beer news delivered free to your inbox. Choose from our Friday Roundup of the week, the quick-read, social feed-like Crafty Cuppa – or both!