CAUGHT ON THE HOP

James Squire had a hard act to follow when creating the latest instalment in the Hop Thief series

RESPECT your elders: a common enough catchcry, but not one you expect to be associated with beers.

However, James Squire has done just that with its 2018 Hop Father Extra Pale Ale limited release, a brew worthy of 2018 HOP FATHER EXTRA PALE ALE JAMES SQUIRE, MALT SHOVEL BREWERY, SYDNEY

STYLE: Extra dry pale ale respect. Having been a fan of the Squire Hop Thief series, I was intrigued to see (and more importantly taste) how this year’s release differs from previous years.

Labelled as an extra pale ale, I initially thought “not another juiced up pale ale” but I was pleasantly surprised as the “extra” referred to the brewing process rather than extra ingredients.

The result is that this pale ale isn’t overly floral or overloaded with “hoppiness”.

The extra brewing process makes it more like an extra dry beer than your conventional pale ale.

It does have a slight fruity nose (I can’t agree with the tasting notes that suggest pineapple) and has a clean golden appearance and a tight white head that doesn’t linger.

What impressed me was the initial mouthful, delivering good flavour, slightly citrus, then giving way to a wellbalanced amount of bitterness and a clean, crisp dryness in the aftertaste.

Hop Father is a very refreshing thirst-quencher at any time and I found it extremely sessionable, especially in the current climate. It’s a full strength beer at 4.7 per cent, but it won’t make you feel bloated.

Hop Father would be ideal with fresh seafood or a Thai beef salad.

It’s a versatile drop, also at home with decent spicy sausages at a barbecue.

The 2018 Hop Father is a beer to be respected ... and it’s a limited release, so don’t delay.