When you’ve spent years bringing beer from New Zealand to Australia, it’s safe to say you know a thing or two about making lagers with Kiwi hops. That’s certainly the case for John Cope-Williams, who launched SURE Brewing with Steven Matthews early in 2022 as a means of showcasing the sort of beers they love. So it’s fitting that one half of the opening lineup – the other a West Coast IPA – would be TRUE, an NZ lager.
It may be a beer inspired by John’s many journey’s across The Ditch, but it's not purely a display of Kiwi hops: Nelson Sauvin and Motueka are joined Australia’s Enigma. It’s a combination that sees them concoct a vibrant blend of rockmelon, tangerine and grape that sits against a crisp and clean lager base pouring a wonderfully clear golden straw colour.
Like each SURE release, TRUE comes with its own Spotify playlist and, given the warmth of the tunes accompanying this beer, if you enjoy the beer and music as one there’s no doubt you’ll feel the sun starting to warm your face – even in the middle of winter.
Will Ziebell
