Life can be pretty quiet on Phillip Island during winter but even the coastal community isn’t safe from the speed of the modern beer world. Indeed, Ocean Reach Brewing have been keeping the new releases coming with a pretty brisk pace in 2022, with these three out in quick succession. Kick Starter is a coffee milk stout made with cold brew coffee, where a mix of rich berry and fig start wafting out of the can as soon as you crack it open. Those rich fruits share the limelight with roasted hazelnut and chocolate biscuit flavours that - along with the beer's rich, creamy and bitter finish - make Kick Starter more akin to your afternoon coffee break over your wake-up juice.
Rode It Hazy Galaxy is one of two tall tins released by Ocean Reach at once and is part of the brewery’s single hop series that previously showcased Vic Secret. For this Australian hop, the ride is one of fresh passionfruit, yellow peach and tangy citrus fruit against a lush, smooth and juicy base. Comfortably Numb joins the growing cohort of musically-inspired Ocean Reach releases and the 11.4 percent ABV barleywine packs a significant punch. That's despite the fact that if someone handed you the beer, you'd be forgiven for assuming it was a classic American pale with its orange and clear complexion. But looks can be deceiving and Comfortably Numb instead brings waves of port, sweet caramel, toffee and honey as a light touch of warmth follows through on the beer's finish.
Will Ziebell
Published August 9, 2022 2022-08-09 00:00:00
