“This is our go-to beer. The beer we’d happily drink every day.”
The ethos behind the Malt Shovel Brewers is experiment, play around, and discover new recipes for beers they’d like to drink - which essentially means “limited releases”. But when the team landed on the recipe for This Is Our XPA, they decided it should stick around.
Citra lupulin powder provides the core of the hop character, with Amarillo and El Dorado as supporting characters. The trio brings grapefruit and even a little Campari-like bitterness to bear, with a light and fresh watermelon aroma inviting you to add a small umbrella to your glass. A touch of sweetness from the Gladfield toffee malts balance out the flavours nicely; or, in the understated words of head brewer Haydo: “From a session point of view, it goes alright.”
Mick Wust