Black Hops & Mount Gay Rum Caribbean Haze IIPA

Black Hops Brewing

Published August 26, 2020

Let's be honest, if there's one thing the past few years have taught us when it comes to beer it's that sometimes, no matter how bizarre a concept sounds, it can actually turn out to be at least OK, occasionally delicious. That doesn't mean the words "fruit and rum-soaked" and "hazy IIPA" set next to each other doesn't still raise an eyebrow. Yet the beer those phrases adorn – Black Hops' Caribbean Haze, originally a collab with Mount Gay Rum for GABS 2019 – has become one that's outgrown its original concept and has returned again complete with a new Pineapple Pirate look.

The collab sees the brewers taking an imperial IPA (weighing a light-for-style 7.8 percent ABV) and spicing it with citrus, pineapple, mango and coconut-infused Mount Gay Black Barrel Rum. And the reason it works to the extent it's become one of their most asked-for beers is mainly down to the fact it treats its constituent parts with kid gloves.

There’s a hint of rummy booze on the nose but it’s not overbearing or hot. There’s a little fruit juice-like tartness on the palate but there’s also depth to the malt flavour that provides some balance. The result is a beer that sits in decidedly tropical and reasonably sweet territory, albeit with a tangy, freshly squeezed grapefruit juice-esque bitterness playing the role of anchor.

James Smith

Style
Fruit & Rum-Soaked IIPA
ABV
7.8%
Name
Black Hops Brewing
Address

15 Gardenia Grove
Burleigh Heads
QLD 4220

Open Hours

Wed to Fri: midday to 7pm
Sat & Sun: midday to 6pm

Tours

As advertised on social media.