by Brouwerij Emelisse/Slot-Oostende
This was the first new beer to be introduced since Brewmaster Kees Bubberman passed the duties on to his understudy John De Vries.
Driven by the desires of the export market, this low-ABV ‘session ale’ is now a permanent member of the Emelisse product range.
At 3.5%, it falls into our ‘mid strength’ category; a style that is attracting increasingly more focus from craft brewers. For many years in Australia, XXXX Gold has dominated this market segment. But now there are options – with flavour.
From the brewery notes, this beer is ‘brewed with pale malt, rye and oats, and hopped with Chinook, Cascade and Columbus.
As you’d expect for a mid-strength beer, the body is fairly light. Fruity hop bitterness dominates, with hints of grapefruit and lemon citrus, peach and a floral character. There is a light marmalade sweetness in the body, and a dry lingering bitterness.