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Just when one thought that one had identified pretty much the cream of the crop when it comes to craft beers and specifically IPAs, a contender pops up that one had almost managed to overlook: BentSpoke is a micro-brewery situated in Canberra, Braddon, an environment that lends itself well to the creation of beer because or its pristine water supply.
BentSpoke’s Crankshaft IPA is a hazy beauty with its orangey and amber coloured nuances that hint at the fruity and citrussy aromas that it emits. Not unlike a West Coast IPA it is creamy in texture, the top of the roof is tickled by sweet caramelly notes, which are counterbalanced by a nice bitterness that sandwiches just the right amount of piny hoppiness.
In essence, this is one hell of a flavourful nuance of North American hops create the foundation for a dangerously more-ish experience that ticks all the right boxes on the palate and its flavour profile is calibrated in a manner that is rarely found in the world of Indian Pale Ales.
BentSpoke Big Nut Black IPA is a boutique-y new emission that is, as the name suggests, on the nutty and roasty side of the flavour spectrum. While the aforementioned flavours dominate, the trademark malty notes with resiny and piney hops round out the palate.
The golden BentSpoke Sprocket IPA Review is part of the BentSpoke Drifter Series and delves into aromas of the tropical kind that are again framed by hoppy bitterness of the Mosaic kind without lacking a distinct malt character.
Clocking in at a punchy 7% ABV, this is almost too easy to drink that made a great constituent of a Boilermaker with a whiskey from a Hebridean distillery.
BentSpoke’s Red Nut is a Red Ale with a medium, clear caramel-coloured body with a tan cappuccino foam head that leaves patchwork lace on the side of the glass as it goes down. The spicy aromas are intriguing and are enriched by tropical nuances, which are grounded on a solid malt base.
What tickles the nostrils, is continued on the roof of the mouth with peppery highlights, which are juxtaposed by biscuity malts. Again, a masterstroke in flavour calibration.
Now, let’s culminate this instalment with one of my new favourites: BentSpoke Cluster 8 IIPA
A limited-edition batch Imperial/Double IPA with a whopping 8.8% ABV that combines all the best parts of the brews.
Tropical fruits, resin hops galore and a delicious dankness comprise this beauty, whose IBU is off the charts.
As mentioned in the beginning, in a world of novelty IPAs with eye-catching artwork on their labels, I almost overlooked BentSpoke - a mistake I shall not make again.
