TIME TO HIT REFRESH

With warmer days on the way, this aptly named summer ale will earn its place in your beer fridge

WESTERN Australia brewer Gage Roads has been around for a while, but being from the other side of the country, they haven’t been as widely available in the Sunshine State.

Thankfully all that’s about to change with a concerted effort to introduce Queensland drinkers to the Gage Roads range. They have a number of quality brews to explore, but their Single Fin Summer Ale is a good an introduction as any.

It is very aptly named for beach-orientated places like the Gold Coast and Tweed and, while it may be a summer ale on the label, you shouldn’t wait to enjoy it.

Single Fin has a slightly hazy golden appearance with a tight white head and a subtle but fruity nose.

It doesn’t have a strong hop content like some pales, but it isn’t lacking in flavour.

In keeping with summer or session ales, Single Fin combines a good balance of hops and bitterness, making for an interesting beer of medium body. The initial hop nature, with a subtle amount of fruitiness, gives way to a cleansing bitterness in the aftertaste, drawing you back for more. It’s a great thirst quencher, refreshing, easy to drink and ideal for the warmer months. At 4.5 per cent, it is full strength but it definitely doesn’t sit heavily in the gut so you can enjoy quite a few.

For fans of pale ales and their citrus/floral natures who are after something more interesting than your mainstream brews, Single Fin could fit the bill.

It’s a social drop and versatile when it comes to food matching. Pair it with fresh seafood, a caesar salad or barbecue classics.

“IT DOESN’T HAVE A STRONG HOP CONTENT LIKE SOME PALES, BUT IT ISN’T LACKING IN FLAVOUR.”