A couple of months ago, we brewed a pilot batch of an experimental IPA. We didn’t have a name for it then, so we just called it Experimental IPA on the board. Not very imaginative, I know. The brew was very popular, and didn’t even last one evening.

We brewed a small pilot batch of this beer as the hops we use are particularly difficult to source. Galaxy is from Australia, Motueka and Nelson Sauvin from New Zealand. We only have enough hops to brew this beer twice in 2014! We’re hoping to be able to get more of these hops for 2015, but we’re still working on that.

The beer itself has a smooth malt profile, as oats and a little light caramel balance out the bitterness. IBUs come in at 54, I increased them a little from the pilot batch to crisp up the finish of the beer. The hop profile of this beer is what it’s all about - passionfruit, lemon and lime, and white wine. Distinctly different to the standard c-hopped IPA. It comes in at 8.0% ABV.

And the name - Expat IPA? An expatriate is to withdraw (oneself) from residence in or allegiance to one’s native country. Given this brew has hops from Australia and New Zealand, and is supported by a British Ale yeast strain which provides great complimentary fruity esters, Expat seemed like a natural choice. And, after all, I’m a British expat myself...