The previous vintage of Hargreaves Hill's R.I.S. was a favourite at Crafty Towers – a highlight of 2018, in fact, with Will Ziebell pretty much buying the entire allocation from his local indie retailer. While we'd enjoyed the beer in years past, we figured last year's had its corset discarded to allow it room to expand.
So, what of the 2018 vintage (released for winter 2019 after being given months to condition)? Again, it's fulsome: soft and full-bodied, comforting rather than fierce, and with chocolate and roast characters aplenty. There's figgy dark fruits adding complexity on the nose and burnt sugar amid the viscous mouthfeel too in another rewarding wintry treat from the Yarra Valley brewery.
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!
