In March 2023, the Institute of Brewers and Distillers hosted their Asia-Pacific Conference in the City of Churches, bringing brewers, drinkers and hop merchants along for the ride. While there, Hop Products Australia were keen to show off a new product; Spectrum is a essential a concentrated paste designed for dry-hopping, with the producers suggesting 100g of Spectrum hops can replace up to 800g of T90 hop pellets, while giving off intense aromas and additional hop flavour.
Pouring a bright, light clear orange colour, Spectrum the beer takes the form of a West Coast IPA featuring Eclipse in both pellet and Spectrum form alongside Vic Secret. Pine and resin lead the way with a touch of medium toast and a little nutty crystal sweetness. A subtle orange citrus intertwines itself into the flavours as well, before things finish dry with a firm bitterness.
Hard lemonade has enjoyed plenty of interest of late in South Australia, with several companies pumping out their version of the liquid. In the case of Shapeshifter’s Lemon Haze, this isn’t a fermented product, instead locally-sourced lemon juice meets a little vanilla, water, and natural sweetener, with the booze coming from the addition of ethanol at a measured 4.5 percent ABV.
Lemon Haze comes across like old school lemonade: the fresh lemon juice obviously leads the way creating a pleasant and decent sourness which sits just short of puckering. The carbonation is on the higher end – quite spritzy – while a little sweetness balances by the aforementioned sourness with a hint of vanilla making itself known right at the end.
Matt King
Published April 18, 2023 2023-04-18 00:00:00
