Life & Death is a modern hop-filled classic. We spoke to Vocation Brewery’s Director of Brewing Robert Beck to get his tasting notes.
What can PerfectDraft customers expect from Life & Death if they’ve not tried it before ?
We use quite a lot of Mosaic in Life & Death, and that gives you this kind of almost papaya flavour. It’s got a bit of the alcohol bite to it, because it’s 6.5%, but the bitterness is relatively low, so this is a beer that really flows. Those high levels of hops, carbonation and fruity flavours go really well with an Indian curry.
How do you approach designing new beers ?
A lot of times, it’s just the brewers wanting to come up with a beer using new hops that they haven’t used before. Especially modern British hops such as Harlequin, or hops from New Zealand or even Czech hops. We’re not trying to create groundbreaking beers and just pushing them out for collabs, but we’re having fun with the wide variety of hops that we can get our hands on.
Which is your go-to summer beer ?
Oh, I’m a bit boring. I’m on Life & Death. We get a bit of staff beer every month, and I always pick the Life & Death. I think I’m very lucky to have come to a brewery that has a very good lineup, but especially an IPA like that. That’s my Vocation go-to every time.
CIDER: Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime
Sweden | 4%
A sweet, refreshing cider that’s clearly perfect for a summer’s day. But what do we really know about the drink? Well, Kopparberg is a Swedish brewery based in the remote little town of, yep, Kopparberg. It was re-established by brothers Peter and Dan-Anders Bronsman in 1994, who set off the fermenters again in a brewery that had first existed in 1882. The town itself was named for the copper reserves the first settlers came for; the name translates as ‘Copper Mountain’, and many of the town’s traditional houses are still painted with Falu Rödfärg, a red colour made from copper pigment. It was the local water, however, that became the real treasure in this area, with brewing turning into the key industry.
Today, with Kopparberg sold in 30 countries and counting, it is bigger than ever. And no wonder: from the first drink on a summer afternoon to the last drink of the evening, its fruit ciders slip down incredibly easily. The Strawberry & Lime pairs fresh strawberry with tangy citrus, making it not only refreshing but the ultimate summer drink to enjoy with barbecues and meals.
Temp: 3 º C
Leffe Summer
Belgium | 5.2%
A fresh take on the classic Leffe Blonde, this is a beer crafted specifically for the warmer months. It has rich fruity cereal tones with a hint of grassy summer meadows, giving it a unique and refreshing flavour profile. It’s full-bodied, deep golden in colour and enhanced with spicy coriander and bright fruit, adding to its complexity.
Temp: 4-7 º C
Kwak Blonde
Belgium
The Bosteels Kwak is a quintessential, full-bodied Belgian Strong Ale. Starting out slightly bitter, it quickly turns sweeter with flavours of caramel and bread and hints of alcohol (which is no surprise at 8.4% ABV!). Bosteels’ portfolio consists of just three beers, although they’re some of the most iconic in the world.
Temp: 6 ºC
Camden Eazy IPA
UK | 5%
Hazy, crisp and tropical. Camden Town Brewery has packed some punch into Eazy, a traditional IPA with a twist of fresh Citra and a dose of peachy El Dorado hops. The result is a stone-fruit, juicy, golden-hazy, desert island treasure. Eazy peazy. It’s unfiltered and suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
Temp: 4-7 ºC
Proper Job
UK | 4.5%
A modern classic. Proper Job isn’t about doing things differently, it’s about doing them right. This authentic IPA is a product of Cornish craft, reflecting the expertise and know-how of the 175-yearold St Austell Brewery. It’s packed full of vibrant citrus, grapefruit and pineapple flavours, and balanced with a crisp, bitter finish.
Temp: 6ºC
Ninkasi French IPA
France | 5.4%
Brewed by Lyon’s award-winning Ninkasi, known for its unique and flavourful beers, this French IPA has a malted body that gives it a coppery red colour and packs an assertive fruitiness on tasting, followed by a delicate bitterness. The beer’s style has been bolstered with hops grown in Alsace, France.
Temp: 3ºC
Tiny Rebel Clwb Tropica
UK | 5%
Newport’s own Tiny Rebel has produced the ultimate tropical IPA, packed full of juicy mango, pineapple, peach and passion fruit flavours, thanks to an abundance of Citra, Simcoe and Mosaic hops. A fine choice, whether you’re looking for the ultimate refreshing summer drink or just a great IPA to enjoy at a perfect three degrees.
Temp: 3ºC
Read more articles from our magazine The Taproom : PerfectPour: The community hall of fame, Questions from the community: tips and tricks and Beer essay: tasting notes.
