Brut Calypso IPA
Slipstream Brewing Co.

Look, I know I give Slipstream a lot of shit for their unimaginative beer naming practices, but here is an example of Slipstream really going that extra yard and adding an entire other word to their beer naming: Brut Calypso IPA. YOU SEE?! YOU SEE?! They added a whole other word to the name of this beer! If you took away the ‘Calypso’ it would just be yet another run-o-the-mill Slipstream beer named as per the style name. I’ve got to hand it to them for thinking outside the box. In all seriousness[ness?] this is my first go at a Brut IPA – the latest flavour of the month style to take the Craft World™ by a storm. A concoction of malt and adjuncts with a dash of amylase enzyme to create an IPA that is dry and light, like a champers (Aussie for ‘Champagne’) essentially… only with a bitter dose of hops.

Poured from a 375ml can into a Duvel tulip.

A: Pale golden – one might even say “champagne-esque” if they were trying to be a clever dick – clear body with a white head that never gets too excited but sticks around for a while and leaves good lace for a 7.5% ABV brew. I’m going to be generous here because I have no idea what a Brut IPA should look like. 8/10.

S: Strong floral/vinous hop nose, an odd hint of funk too, with a BIG lime note backing it up. This style should be called Sauv IPA, because so far it’s reminiscent of a Sauvignon Blanc… and TBH this is territory Wolf Of The Willows already trekked back in 2015 with their ISA (India Saison Ale), but sure the Americans invented this style because they came up with everything [I’m being facetious now as no doubt an American brewer came up with the Brut IPA style back in 1990-something]. 8/10.

T: Yep, this is one damn tasty brew! Flavours of: Lime upfront, floral/earthy/vinous hops, mid-palate dry cracker malt, touch of grass, long (and I mean loooong!) dry finish with a wisp of mild hop bitterness and a light stone-fruit touch in the aftertaste. Damn, I’m not sure if I just love it because it’s so New-And-Different™ or if it’s just that I love a nice Sauv Blanc… or maybe both. This is great though. 9/10.

M: Medium bodied, no Champagne bubbles, a spritz carbonation nonetheless. 8/10.

D: Colour me impressed! [purple/gold duh!] This is a style that’ll really bring me back to IPAs after some recent palate fatigue [there’s just sooo many IPAs out there dammit]. Although I’ll no doubt get bored of Brut IPAs in the not too distant future citing them as “a fad” like everyone else, Slipstream really have done well here. Cheers for introducing me to the Brut IPA Slipstream! 8/10.

Food match: Pair this as you would a nice Sauv Blanc: fish, cheese or creamy pasta.