There is another IPA. They don’t have to be hopped to the max, bitter, piney things. Brewers out of the New England region of the USA (far North East) developed a completely different, but unmistakably IPA version. They’re lighter in colour, cloudy, tropical aroma driven, strong, hoppy but less bitter (late addition hops as opposed to long additions throughout the boil). And if you put all of this into one word – JUICY!

You don’t need to travel to Vermont to enjoy the amazing aromas and moreish flavours anymore, you only need to go to Sydney’s inner-west Marrickville for two fine examples. Batch is brewing up their ‘Juicy as Phuck Phresh IPA’ (ABV 7.3%), while The Grifter are hitting the mark with ‘Old Money’ (ABV 6.7%). Both were direct from the brewer in a squeeler over the past fortnight.

Batch: Cloudy, honey coloured with a thin white head. Juicy, juicy, juicy aromas full of tropical juices, passionfruit, mango and bready malts. Earthy flavours underpin the beer, with highlights of passionfruit, mango and biscuity malt. Rich mouthfeel, moderate bitterness throughout, but it’s slightly over-carbonated.

Appearance: 4/5
Aroma: 9/10
Flavour: 8/10
Palate: 3/5
Overall: 15/15

The Grifter: Light and cloudy with a small white head. It’s juicy, full of pineapple, guava, passionfruit, mango, honeydew melon and a backdrop of caramel and honey malts. Initial tropical fruit flavours head towards a rye earthiness through the middle, returning to a tropical fruit finish. Deep, long bitterness, with a solid bread malt providing balance.

Appearance: 4/5
Aroma: 9/10
Flavour: 8/10
Palate: 4/5
Overall: 15/15

Wow! Two fantastic beers. Give me one of these over a amped up pine forest IPA.