By Andy Young
The latest instalment of the James Squire Hop Thief series, Hop Thief 7 American-style Pale Ale, is making its way around Australia.
Created with a combination of Mosaic and Galaxy hops, Hop Thief 7 is now available in-pack and on-tap in selected venues and outlets nationwide.
Chris Sheehan, the Malt Shovel Brewery's head brewer, said: "We've tried to bring something difference to the mix this year with the use of these two hop varieties.
"We've used Galaxy hops to deliver a vibrant citrus and passionfruit aroma, and then added Mosaic hops which add pine notes and strong, earthy undertones."
Hop Thief started life as an occasional brew from the Malt Shovel brewery, but after proving popular among consumers, the brewers decided to add it to the James Squire core range. A new brew is produced each year and Sheehan added that the seasonal changes in hop bill mean he and his team are able to experiment and reinvent the beer.
He added: "Our last Hop Thief release was incredibly popular, so we needed to make sure we came up with a unique and equally flavoursome successor. We've worked hard on this brew and believe we've created a beer adult Australians will love."
The brewer also confirmed that the Hop Thief series will continue in 2016, with the release of Hop Thief 8.