Beer Big Shed & Ballistic Beer Oaked Guava Double IPA

For many months now, collaborations with interstate breweries have been difficult, or at least different to pre-pandemic days, with fun days in the brewery typically replaced by emails or video calls so recipes can be finalised ready for a lone brewery brew day. However, as soon as COVID-19 restrictions lifted between SA and Queensland, Big Shed and Ballistic jumped at the chance to collaborate face to face. In doing so, they started with a crowd favourite – Ballistic's excellent Oaked XPA – then added in a few tweaks in the form of guava purée and a boost in booze content to double IPA status.

Pouring a burnt orange colour, the Oaked Guava IIPA has a certain juicy, tropical fruit sweet stickiness to it. The guava is definitely present but, in combination with the hops and malt, is joined by orange / mandarin citrus, not to mention a healthy dose of vanilla and honey that swings by to say: "Hello!" The purée dominates more flavour wise atop a sticky toffee and bready base, although that orange citrus and a dash of reserved oaky vanilla are present too, while a balancing bitterness works in nicely with the sweet, sticky mouthfeel.

Matt King