MVBeer launches bottled IPA nationally

By James Atkinson

McLaren Vale Beer Company's VALE/IPA is now available in bottle nationally after a strong trial in draught format.

The American-style India Pale Ale received national on-premise keg distribution late last year, and MVBeer said feedback from drinkers has "smashed expectations".

Head brewer Jeff Wright said he was excited about adding a more robust, hop-driven style to the bottled range.

"While a big IPA is always a brewer's favourite, it's often a style that is quite challenging for consumers," he said.

"Our IPA was brewed to offer an approachable interpretation whilst still packing a punch with flavour and maintaining that distinctive hop character."

VALE/IPA uses a combination of hops from three countries – Galaxy from Australia, Nelson Sauvin from New Zealand and Citra from United States.

"The beer offers strong pine and citrus notes, along with stone fruit and passionfruit characters," MVBeer said. 

"The malt structure is beautifully matched with the dry hopping, giving this beer a refined balance and making it the perfect accompaniment to a range of both sweet and savoury dishes – think braised lamb shanks, blue cheese or even passionfruit cheesecake."

MVBeer general manager of operations, brand and hospitality Josh Stuart told TheShout the brewer is not in the business of creating "beers that blow your head off or that stop you at a mouthful".

"We want to offer consumers flavoursome yet sessionable styles that they can come back to again and again and that can form an enjoyable part of their craft beer experience," he said.

"VALE/ALE has been very successful for us and as we notice palates beginning to mature and diversify we can already see people relishing the more robust qualities of our VALE/IPA."

"Evolution whilst staying current and attentive to consumer tastes is something we are always trying to achieve," Stuart added.