Today’s Beer in Review is focused on a beer that was brewed especially for the Great Australiasian Beer Spec-tap-ular (get it?) – Barrique O’Karma from Feral Brewing. Feral Brewing is based near Perth in Western Australia. While I am not an expert on the craft beer industry in Australia, or anywhere for that matter, I do know when a brewery has impressed me. Feral Brewing has impressed me. Every beer that I have had from them has been special it’s own way.
The first beer that I tried from them was the Hop Hog IPA – I found this on tap at the Archive Beer Boutique in Brisbane during my first visit to the city. The bartender recommended it to me – and I was glad that he did – it’s a great IPA. You can instantly see why it was voted as the best beer in Australia.
When I rolled into The Archive one evening on my most current visit to Brisbane – I saw the Feral logo on the tap head and I didn’t even ask what it was – I just ordered. It ended up being Barrique O’Karma. Again – not a bad choice. In my experience, beers brewed specifically for festivals are just takes or variations on another current production beer. Barrique is not an exception – it is fresh look at their Karma Citra IPA. I have never had this beer – but after having this variation – I am keen to.
I had this beer in a pint glass right from the tap – it poured a deep, dark brown. It was dark enough to be considered black – I had to hold up to the light to get any brown to show through. The beer had a thin head – but still laced nicely.
The aroma was very slight – this may be because it was a tad cold to start out with – the aroma didn’t have a chance to hit me the way it should. There is a definite hop aroma – although it is fairly toned down. There is also a slight woodiness – almost a chardonnay – scent in there somewhere.
the taste is where this beer really comes into it’s own. The oak and the hops mingle together perfectly. The hops are not abrasive, being slowed down a bit by the oak. There are notes of orange citrus and some creamy vanilla that is mixed in with a slightly burnt chocolate flavor. The finish is clean and smooth – if I didn’t know better I would have though that this beer was on Nitro – because it was that smooth at the end.
The mouth-feel – like I mentioned – was almost like the beer was on Nitro. Very smooth and silky – not abrasive like you would expect a hoppy beer like this to be.
Overall – this is an outstanding beer. I am sad that it’s not being exported – because I would but it all. All of it. It’s that good. but if you’re ever in Australia and you see the big Feral boar on the tap handle – just order it. It’s going to be good.
(some images in this post courtesy of http://www.feralbrewing.com.au/)
Up and Adam 