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Summer 1960/61, Fourth Test Match, Adelaide Oval. Australia down to their last wicket against a rampaging West Indies pace attack. With the series locked, Australia need to hang on to take the series to a deciding Fifth Test. At the batting crease were Lindsay Kline and Ken “Slasher” McKay – an ironic nickname for a man known for his staying power rather than attacking verve. For over 100 minutes the pair held firm and, on the final delivery, McKay elected to take the ball on his ribcage rather than chance an edge or LBW. The test was drawn and Australia went on to win the series. In homage to these late Australian heroics, Illawarra Brewing Co have created the “Slasher” McKay Pale Ale, with a local malt backbone and full batting line-up of Australia’s best finishing hops; Summer, Stella, and Galaxy. That Aussie stayer of bittering hops, Super Pride, was also integral in the design and naming of the beer. In fact, this beer is so focused on Aussie hops that they were added at every point from first wort additions through to the dry hopping stages – they even had to build a Hop Back. That leads to a beer with a clean, lasting bitterness and bouquet of fresh rock melon, honeydew and passionfruit. Like “Slasher” McKay himself, this is full of classic Aussie character but isn’t afraid to be different.