Man can't survive on 7 percent ABV, fruit-laden monsters, much as we might like to; sometimes we need a stayer. Something to mix with a burst of activity or a long chill session in the outdoors. Enter Small Swell, a 3.4 percent ABV mid-strength with those longer sessions in mind: a refreshing ale to clean the salt from the mouth after a long day riding waves. Pale, Vienna, oats and wheat combine to provide a solid base so the Wai-iti and El Dorado can throw down some fruity vibes.
Light in body and pouring a straw yellow colour, Small Swell is refreshing and sharp, venturing away from the contemporary pale ale trends and opting for a stone fruit driven middy; peaches and apricot lead the way with just a squeeze of refreshing lime citrus. The body is light yet not watery and thin. The peaches dominate flavour wise, lifted by a biscuit and wheat base, with the lime following through late on the palate. Add in an easy bitterness and this is fridge or esky filler is ready for the heat of summer.
Matt King
Published November 14, 2020 2020-11-14 00:00:00
