BACKYARD BREW BLISS
This new Northern Rivers pale ale is proof you can trust a local to make a top drop for a cruisy summer session
FROM the shadows of Mt Warning, Northern Rivers brewer Stone & Wood continues to draw inspiration from the region with Cloud Catcher, part of its Beers From Our Backyard range.
These beers aren’t as widely available as the core range, but are definitely worth tracking down because they tend to be a little different.
Cloud Catcher, which was once only found in select bars around Byron and Murwillumbah, is now sold in 500ml bottles that are beginning to grace more and more bottle-os on the Gold Coast and Tweed.
This is an American pale ale but isn’t the “hop bomb” that you can sometimes get from this style of beer.
It is well-balanced.
It offers a fruit nose as many hop beers do, but you may detect more of an apricot aroma than anything else.
It has a slightly cloudy, dull orange appearance but a frothy white head and isn’t too gassy.
Cloud Catcher is no slacker in the flavour department and is very inviting from the first mouthful, providing initial fruitiness which gives way to a clean crisp bitterness in the aftertaste. The fruity notes will resonate with fans of Stone & Wood’s popular offering Pacific Ale, which contains hints of passionfruit.
Even though this is a strong beer at 5.5 per cent, it’s easy to drink and is a great thirst quencher on a hot day.
It doesn’t sit heavily in the gut and that adds to its sessionability.
Cloud Catcher, with its distinctive Mt Warning label, combines the appeal of a decent hop-orientated beer with the cleansing nature of an ale.
It would be a great accompaniment for fresh or lightly crumbed seafood or a crisp summer salad.
Cloud Catcher is a heavenly drop to enjoy, especially in summer.