Green Flash Le Freak

Wow this is a massive beer.

9.2% of Belgian Tripel forcibly crashed into a US-hopped Imperial IPA. It does not lack presence.

Bright pink label an inspired choice and I actually think the beer itself may carry just a hint of strawberry itself too? Beautiful head is frothy and solid; creamy.

The aroma here was always going to be a battleground and you do get both styles in there. Maybe the hops just edge it, if you had to pick a winner? I find the alcohol pretty evident in terms of bitey front of mouth flavours, but it's not bulky or heavy as such - just sticky and full bodied. It all comes together pretty well without becoming too tacky. I like.

I'm not sure I'd want to drink this style too often, but for what it is, it's good. I'm maybe not a fan just yet but you have to acknowledge the showcase nonetheless. 8.0

Doctors Orders Prescription #12 Belgian Black IPA

A new brewer in Sydney!

I don't know a lot about these guys, but their black IPA turns up on the money looks-wise. Which reminds me - Wheatsheaf hotel - I know you're hand-washing / cleaning glasses and these goblet ones are probably slightly harder / more expensive to do. But rather than make people choose between a straight middy / pot / whatever you call it and this "Fancy" for 20c more and exactly the same ml, how about you either absorb the cost, or restrict certain beers to fancy only, and put each beer in the best glass to present it. The 20c doesn't worry me but if you're a serious beer bar, suitable glassware is one of the easier things to do to help present craft in the best possible light.

Rant over - the last Belgian Black IPA I had was delicious, so I was looking forward to this. It has a nice roasty hop nose melded with tea-like barley, but the Belgian yeast is a bit banana-dominant to me in the flavour palate and really rolls all over the gentle roastiness in the palate. You end up with a beer that's primarily choc-banana, with a bit of bitter grass roast in the back seat.

It's kind of a little clumsy and spiky in all elements, not as smooth as it could be - but certainly on the right track. 5.5

Bridge Road B2 Bomber Black Belgian IPA

Where better to spend your time in Melbourne CBD than at Beer DeLuxe?

Hard to argue with that line of logic based on this one as sat alongside some peking duck, this was a real treat and thoroughly enjoyed throughout.

There may be a certain element of cloudy nostalgia based on the last time I was at this venue, but this one does actually share a fair bit of similarity with the excellent Mikkeller Dark Harvest collaboration recently on the taps. Beautiful roasty character is dominant here again but with a few tweaks from that drop also.

Solid black with just a tint of brown, it glowers heavyset in the glass. A nice bone mocha head serves up roasty hop and malt character but little else - Belgium is not dominant on the nose, but does come through about midway through the mouthful with an interesting punch of yeasty flavour before a crisp, clean finish that leaves you wanting more.

Dry, roasty, earthy, hoppy. Delicious and highly recommended if you see it on tap. 8.5