Led by Sean Symons, Whitelakes’ near five-year pursuit of technical perfection is one that eschews opacity and aggressively hopped ales in favour of lager expressions. Drinkability and balance are paramount, as this duo can attest.
Their XPL picked up the Best Draught Lager trophy at the Perth Royal Beer Awards 2021. Its modern bottom ferment spin finds orange blossom, passionfruit and light biscuit malt aromas shifting to a lean, spritzy palate that carries a resinous touch. Late bitterness lingers cleanly, a reminder that not every hop bomb needs to be savage. Here, the tight execution is punchier than many may expect.
Which leaves Dark Lager to lean in for a warm embrace. Brewed with eight different malts, Sean describes it as “complicated beer, that’s refined and refreshing”. For its brooding visual emote, there’s a comforting meld of chocolate, creamy mocha and subtle roast, all of which closes crisply refreshing.
Guy Southern
Published June 18, 2021 2021-06-18 00:00:00
