Anyone living in NSW over the summer of 2019/2020 has seen their share of hazy sunsets, which have carried a certain tragic beauty. But the beautiful haze in this IPA comes without any tragedy attached.
Sunset Haze is a NEIPA bursting at the seams with aroma and flavour, and scored an instant following with its bountiful tropical character. Granted, any hop-loving punters are low-hanging fruit when you use four beloved hop varieties - Galaxy, Mosaic, Cascade, Citra - but that doesn’t mean this was an easy beer to make. The tanks at Endeavour’s cozy brewery in The Rocks are compact little things, the brewers had to push the boundaries a bit to squeeze as much dry-hopping into this beer as they did. But they pulled it off, bringing the freshness of melon and oomph of mango to every mouthful. Add a soft texture - the inclusion of oats gives this beer a fullness in the mouth that makes you want to suck it through your teeth - and a clean finish to maximise its drinkability, and you’ve got a beer that begs you to have two or three schooners before you’re done.
The Red Flannel IPA, on the other hand, encourages slower sipping. The stoic head, tinted with the deep crimson of the beer, is the first hint that isn’t a drink to be taken lightly.
Compared to the fruitiness of the Sunset Haze, this red IPA drinks more like the pine sap that drips onto a lumberjack’s flannel shirt and crystallises in moments. It’s resinous and sticky, blending pine bitterness with a burnt caramel and toffee. A hefty chew, a boozy warmth, and a lingering sense of hop oils work together to show off the weight of a beer that has no interest in being sessionable - this is a strong silent companion, one to sit with patiently and respectfully.
Mick Wust
Published March 2, 2020 2020-03-02 00:00:00
