Lagundri Bay is a popular tourist surf beach located off the island of Nias in Sumatra, Indonesia. Several years ago, Swell founder Dan Wright spent time there surfing, reading brewing books and drinking Bintang. The Lagundri Bay Tropical Session Ale has been brewed as a beer he wished he'd had available to him: a session IPA that smacks of lazing on the beach in the summertime sun.
The tropical vibe has been harnessed well, with juicy mango, pineapple, some lychee and a little papaya on the nose. Bright and golden in colour, the first sip sends the pineapple to the fore, before the mango returns with a little crystal sweetness and some biscuit malt in a light, easy-drinker with a measured bitterness.
The Swell team also love their local area, with local knowledge of the good spots hidden from the McLaren Vale's tourists. Southport is a little stretch of white sand where the mouth of the Onkaparinga River meets the Fleurieu coastline we're told requires a fair hike to find. It's also a spot where the surfboard is surplus to requirements – this is all about the sunsets, which are honoured in Southport Sunset Blood Orange Sour .
A brilliant bright pink pour holds a decent earthiness and a touch of sweet orange citrus from the fruit, while the sourness is on the softer side with spritzy carbonation adding to its easy-going appeal. The blood orange’s juiciness comes through a little more to taste, where you'll find a gentle, earthy, rose water/Turkish Delight expression too, not to mention a little juniper on the back palate as the beer finishes on the drier side.
Matt King
Published January 19, 2021 2021-01-19 00:00:00
