Since 2008, Rocks Brewing have been brewing a range of 5 beers and a cider under contract and getting their beers on tap to the public through their flagship venue, Harts Pub in the Rocks. They currently make a porter, a pale ale, red ale, golden ale, and a lager. If you look around a bit you might find their ales at a local Sydney bar as a guest tap, but the only real way to guarantee a steady supply has been to visit Harts.
It’s time then, to get excited by this little brown bottle. Only available on shelves in the last 4 weeks, it heralds the start of Rocks Brewing ales being sold in 6 packs. They’ve decided to lead with their Hangman Pale Ale, which is a good choice as it is a tasty and accessible beer. Whilst you should probably adhere to the “never judge a book by its cover” adage when it comes to beer, I have to admit that I really like their label art.
Hopefully in 2014 we will see a steady supply of the entire range on bottleshop shelves and on taps around the place as it was revealed that they are planning their own brewery with accompanying restaurant in Alexandria (DA permitting) towards the end of the year.
This Pale Ale is made in the American style using Munich and caramel pils malt to provide body while Cascade and Liberty hops provide the fruit flavours. It’s 4.9% ABV and sold in 330ml bottles.
The Verdict
The clear gold-coloured beer gives off a fresh hop aroma that is reminiscent of cut grass and citrus. Whilst this is not unusual, it’s the freshness that really stands out the most. It has a ‘just right’ carbonation that carries the citrus hop flavours well and finishes quickly. The malt can be detected in the body, but it doesn’t dominate, allowing hops to take centre stage. It’s a refreshing drink and the slight astringency gives a sense of crispness at the end of each sip.
I cannot lie, I drank four in quick succession before the realization that the Good Doctor had also partaken of two and the inevitable ennui that an empty 6 pack container can bring was upon me.
8/10
Drink If You Like….
The Good Doctor liked this enough to drink two before falling asleep on the couch so you know it must be one damn fine ale. I must admit though, lately she has developed a taste for expensive scotch and IPAs, so maybe her conversion to craft beer is complete. If you are at all trepidatious about beer, I could safely recommend this one to you as a fine example of a Pale Ale and an accessible introduction to craft beer.
Trivia
The first brewery to create a beer in the style of what we know as an American Pale Ale was Sierra Nevada back in 1980. Anchor’s Liberty Ale followed close behind in 1983. The features that distinguish the American from the English versions of the same beer is a slightly higher ABV and American hops (in particular Cascade).
A Quick Pint 