Fans of Troubadour’s Magma – of which there are many – will know that once a year, the guys play around with their flagship beer. From changing hops, to changing malts and introducing different yeasts to the base beer, it is always interesting to see what they have come up with each year.
2015 saw the Tripel-Spiked Brett version, which was by far my personal favourite. Last year saw the addition of Maris Otter premium malt into the recipe, and this was a delicious beer as well. (There is still a couple of cartons hanging around, we will make them available in the ‘Extra Beers’ section).
I must admit I was slightly disappointed to learn that 2017’s variant was simply changing the quantities of malt and hops in the recipe. It seemed a little low-key for something that is anticipated all year.
But I’m please to say I very much enjoyed the beer nonetheless. It really is now an IPA, with much less of a Belgian yeast aspect to me. A smaller malt body (hence the reduction in ABV), but still a little caramalt body to carry those hops.
And the hops are the showpiece now, still with the piney and fruity aromas of passionfruit and apricot, with an earthy hop bitterness and dry finish. It’s a very enjoyable beer; wonder what they’ll do in 2018?!