Given just how many brewers there are in Australia, and how many of them release new beers every week, little wonder there's a need to get creative, or arguably just tangentially weird, with beer names. Even amid tough competition, one has to say Lost Palms would be among the favourites in any race to be crowned the most wantonly, inexplicably out there. Latest piece of evidence: Carpet Samples.
Before we get to the beer, then, how about we play a little game: scribble down the styles of beer you think such a title might be applied to...
OK, how'd you get on? Anyone get Strawberry Mango Smoothie Ale? Come on now, wasn't the colour of the sky on the labels (of which more later) enough of a clue?
Ah well, what of the liquid inside? Best described as blush-meets-pulp-free-OJ-meets-Bellini in appearance, it brings beachside fruit cocktail vibes aplenty. If "smoothie sour" conjures thoughts of beers that can weigh heavy – and indeed pulpy – on the palate, don't panic: Lost Palms are becoming old hands at this sort of thing. This is no puréed slurry, more a case of fresh fruit aromas aplenty (mango dominant; strawberry an adornment) and a palate that cuts through any risk of overt stickiness with a sharply tart acidity.
One to laze into as you move beyond the peculiar name and begin instead pondering the pretty/curious artwork once again adorning a Lost Palms limited release...
James Smith
NB Melburnians reading this in time can enjoy Carpet Samples in the company of Bakes from Lost Palms, who's travelled down from the Gold Coast to prop up the Beermash bar on July 28 – details here.
Published July 26, 2023 2023-07-26 00:00:00
