After Hours, a ‘Hoppy Winter Ale’, was the result of the brewery’s ‘You Vote, We Brew’ initiative, whereby drinkers choose the next beer that Gage Roads produces.
The beer has been released ahead of this Friday’s WA Beer and Brewing Conference, accompanied by a week of beer-based festivities in Perth and beyond.
The ‘Hoppy Winter Ale’ style was selected by voters ahead of a ‘Double Hoppy Red IPA’, a ‘Cascadian Dark Ale’ and ‘Old Fashioned Rye IPA’, each of which had been proposed by Gage Roads brewers.
The beer itself has been produced using four hops, consisting of: Idaho 7, Cascade, Centennial and East Kent Goldings. A ‘strong malt bill’ including Midnight Wheat has also been used, producing a dark beer with ‘medium body and firm bitterness’. The end result is said to serve up notes of ‘citrus and pine, with a touch of resin and earth’.
Ross Brown, Gage Roads’ Head Brewer, explained why After Hours is the ideal beer for the cooler months.
“Winter opens up the opportunity to brew beers that are more complex and rich. Beers that are great for savouring and sipping. After Hours is just that.
“It’s dark and malty rich. It’s chocolatey and roasty. Earthy and resinous. But it still brings plenty of citrus too. Bold, complex and balanced. I’ll be enjoying this one by the fire, and under the stars,” Brown added.
After Hours Hoppy Winter Ale weighs in at six per cent ABV, and is available both in 500ml cans and on tap in certain venues, including the Gage Roads brewhouse in Freo.
After Hours is available on tap and in-store across WA, in selected shops and venues in SA and NT, and will launch into Victoria from today, June 6.