The world of IPA has undergone a fascinating evolution over the years. NEIPAs and hazy IPAs defied their detractors as they captivated consumers. And yet, despite the promise of being even more approachable and less bitter, the Brut IPA crashed and burned (at least in name). Perhaps had it not been for a preoccupation with understanding the style, fuelled by craft beer's occasional pretentiousness, simply enjoying the beer would have been enough to sustain it.
Which brings us to a style that could well have followed the same route: the cold IPA. Unlike their Brut antecedents, they're quietly ticking away in the background, with Cool Dude from Cornella the brewery’s second foray into such territory. Like its predecessor, it exemplifies the "style" well: Crisp, clean, dry and bitter, but with a somewhat softer, smoother mouthfeel than a West Coast IPA. Since first sampling the NZ hop Wai-iti, the brewing team had been keen to see what they could do with it, and in this pairing with Galaxy, they’ve created a deliciously tropical, Australasian combo with vibrant citrus notes.
Another IPA substyle that refuses to die is the black IPA. So scarce are examples nowadays, it’s become a somewhat coveted style by fans of its hops-meet-dark malts charm. Beer The Mammoth is a collaboration between Cornella Brewery and post-rock band Bear The Mammoth (note the single letter difference). Its release coincides with the launch of the band’s latest album, Purple Haus.
Like the music, the beer is complex and multilayered, with rich, roasted malt flavours and intense, bitter hop character. But rather than standing alongside onstage to perform their own individual acts, the characters of a dark ale and a hop forward IPA meld harmoniously, finishing with a medium bitterness and more pillowy mouthfeel than one might expect.
Bear The Mammoth have characterised their music as experimental, which makes them fitting collaborators for Cornella Brewery, an outfit that continues to explore emerging beers styles and ingredients, while also adding their own spin to more traditional beers.
Daniel Ridd
Published August 1, 2023 2023-08-01 00:00:00
