Move over wine enthusiasts, there’s a new aficionado taking over the Australian alcohol market.
Chances are you know one, or maybe you are one. Everywhere you look, on every corner, down every dark alley, you can be sure they’ll be there, sharing their strange tipple talk. Meet the zythophile, the hoppiest people on earth.
For the zythophile, it’s all about beer. They can talk your head off about the best malts or the best hops, they hold more than one favourite watering hole (which is subject to change) and they are pedantic about the varieties of pale ales. Grabbing a paddle is less about donning boardies and hitting the waves, and more about diving deep into the hoppy flavours conjured by their favourite breweries. And if he or she says they’re taking a flight, don’t give them directions to the nearest airport.
The current increase of zythophiles in Australia is not unusual when you consider the enormous growth of our craft beer industry. In 2018, 52 new breweries, brewpubs and contract brewers opened, equating to a 197 percent increase since 2011 – that’s one brewery for every 41,500 people aged over 18.
And now, with summer rushing in, there are some new brews we heartily recommend for zythophiles. Here they are:
Zytho Zesty Pale Ale
If, like many zythophiles, you love a sessionable yet full-flavoured beer, then you’ll love Zytho Zesty Pale Ale. It’s titled ‘Zesty’ because it screams full flavour and drinkability, delivering fresh citrus and passionfruit notes with a balanced light bitterness that will have you yearning for more. It’s also heaped with hops to give it a firm malt backbone, finished off with piney tropical aromatics and a balanced bitterness.
Little Creatures Long Days Little IPA
The Little Creatures Long Days Little IPA is designed to give zythophiles the bold flavours they crave while catering to the growing demand for sessionability and lower-alcohol options. It’s a mid-strength IPA, jam-packed with copious amounts of Simcoe hops to make a passionfruit, citrusy delight, balanced with malt characters and a subtle sweet caramel finish. Summer’s ready guys!
Young Henrys Stayer
This salubrious drop comes dripping with soft stone fruit and lychee hop aromas, matched with a bright golden body and a refreshingly bitey finish. The Young Henrys Stayer is perfect for quaint afternoons on the porch or by the pool – a gentle relaxation after a busy week. And with all the punchy tones and flavours, you might find it hard to believe that it’s actually mid-strength.
Willie The Boatman Tempe Tim
Willie The Boatman is one of Sydney’s least known breweries and that’s what makes them so special. Their specialty can be seen in their latest drop, Tempe Tim mid-strength pale ale. And just because it’s mid-strength doesn’t mean it misses out on full flavour. It’s brewed with the best Australian and Scottish malts and galaxy hops, while swirled within the golden liquid are tropical and citrusy notes.
Moon Dog Splice of Heaven Pine Lime Ice Cream IPA
It’s a mouthful in both drinking and saying its name. The Moon Dog Splice of Heaven Pine Lime Ice Cream IPA is just as citrusy and creamy as it sounds, perfect for those who love the famous Aussie ice cream by the same name. We recommend enjoying this beer as an after-dinner snack, swapping your dessert ideas for a hoppy and creamy concoction. Or, you know, whenever you’re getting beer withdrawal.
Wayward Brewing Raspberry Berliner Weisse
Wayward Brewing Co. is considered as one of Sydney’s underground breweries, and these guys are super excited about summer – it’s easily noticed in their latest brew titled the Raspberry Berliner Weisse. As the name suggests, it’s bursting with raspberry, balanced with perky tartness and it also shares a crisp, dry finish. Perfect for those who don’t mind getting a little daring with their tastebuds.
Sauce Brewing Bubble & Squeak
New England IPAs are an up and coming variety in the brewery market. To enlighten the style, Sauce Brewing Co released a specialty brew called Bubble & Squeak which is infused with plenty of late whirlpool additions and dry hops. It’s a hazy tropical fruit bomb and it’s all the rage at the moment. Think passionfruit, pineapple and melon. It’s a perfectly blended concoction that can easily brighten your weekend.
Green Beacon Wayfarer Tropical Pale Ale
For when you get those dreaded holiday withdrawals, find a quick remedy in Green Beacon’s latest concoction: the Wayfarer Tropical Pale Ale. Think tropical flavours like coconut, honeydew melon, grapefruit, pineapple and lemon. It’s stirred with flaked and malted wheat, it brings memories of piña coladas on Copacabana Beach. Why catch a plane when you can holiday in your backyard?
Pirate Life Acai & Passionfruit
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate’s life for me! Pirate Life Brewing in Adelaide has just released a tropical brew for those looking to punch the palate. This brew brings forth the tangy flavours of passionfruit pulp and acai berry post-fermentation. It’s mixed with 50% pale malt and 50% wheat malt, and then finished with some Australian enigma hops for a touch of bitterness.
4 Pines Kellerdoor Schwarzbier Dark Lager
Located in Manly, 4 Pines has become a staple on the New South Wales beer market. But this time they’ve gone a little Germanic releasing a classical dark lager that could have easily originated in a German town. The brew balances roasted yet smooth malt flavours with moderate hop bitterness. It’s the winner of the Australian Champion Beer Trophy at the 2019 Australian International Beer Awards.
