Red Nut
BentSpoke Brewing Co

A big smooth beer with tangy roasted choc/coffee flavours combined with citrus hops giving the beer a bitterness that begs you to take another sip/gulp as a good beer should.

 

Next up is this delightful Red IPA from one of Canberra's favourite breweries: BentSpoke! How do I know it’s delightful you say? I’ve already smashed a 4-pack of these, and I made it my mission to get a 2nd 4-pack so I could review this charming brew. As noted after review #1,000 I will be trying lots of new beers and reviewing less, I’m getting a bit more selective these days. In regards to BentSpoke I wasn’t the biggest fan of their other beers I’ve had (Barley Griffin, Crankshaft IPA), however I was willing to give Red Nut a try because I do love a good Red IPA, and who knows maybe it could topple my favourite Red IPA – the mighty Modus Former Tenant? Spoiler: it wont.

Poured from a 375ml can with one of those “the-entire-lid-lifts-off” tops that Colonial Brewing brought to Aus – I love those lids – into a nonic pint.

A: Attractive clear caramel-coloured body with a tan cappuccino foam head that leaves patchwork lace on the side of the glass as it goes down. This is one tasty-looking Red IPA, up there with Modus FT at this point. 9/10.

S: Spicy pepper and papaya/grassy hop notes upfront, earthy middle, caramel/biscuit malt base: it’s all just a checklist for an excellent Red IPA right here. Complaints? None really… a heavier version of this would be something I would definitely be on board with, and I suspect in comparison to Modus FT this battle is going to come down to who has the bigger flavour profile, still it’s a great start from BentSpoke. 9/10.

T: Flavours as above: pepper/papaya/grassy hops – not quite as big as in the aroma, earthy centre takes over in classic Canberra fashion (Canberra craft beers tend towards being quite earthy for some reason) caramel/biscuit malts make an appearance as well. Finishes with a pretty spot-on sweet/bitter balance, mid to mild bitterness. Aftertaste is earthy… as expected. Doesn’t pop or have those BIG hops like Modus FT, but it’s a smooth drop for sure, and tasty as Odin’s pancakes (Odin does flap a mean jack bro). 8/10.

M: Medium bodied with a medium/dense carbonation, slightly more gassy than it needs to be, but otherwise good. 8/10.

D: One of the best beers out of Canberra. Not that there’s a great deal of breweries in Canberra. Regardless this is a well-balanced Red IPA that goes down a treat, and I can’t wait to see it again at my bottle-o for more times = good. 9/10.

Food match: Rump steak with pepper sauce, forest mushrooms and celeriac mash.