I always love trying new beers, and it’s even more exciting when that beer comes from another market and isn’t available at my local beer stores….and while I’d be excited to see today’s brewery come to the Northeastern PA market, I’m just as excited to sample a new beer that they just released.
Today’s brewery is Switchback Brewing and if you’ve been following along on mybeerbuzz.com, you’ll know I recently sampled their Zaboo Hazy IPA and their Dooley’s Porter. Both of these beers were great examples of the style and both beers were tasty and unique.
Today we’re test-driving the new Wai-iti Cat, and if you’re not familiar, this beer is a double IPA that uses Wai-iti hops from New Zealand…and according to Switchback’s Bill Cherry, “While trekking in the mountains of New Zealand (Aotearoa) I met a wonderful group of intrepid women who hiked with me and taught me all about New Zealand fauna, some Māori language and culture, and their pride in the globally renowned hops grown near their hometown,” says Brewmaster, Bill Cherry. “We stayed in touch after I returned and while sharing a photo they sent from the Wai-iti region with our Brewer Morgan, who spearheads our innovative DIPA Cat program, we discovered that Wai-iti is also the name of an intriguing New Zealand hop variety. From there, the concept of “Wai-iti Cat” was born.”
Wai-iti translates to “little water” in Māori and the label celebrates New Zealand’s “classic rite of passage” – bungee jumping. I should also mention that Swicthback has updated their packaging line with “the addition of a new Quadrel Techline high speed labeler the brewery now has the ability to create out-of-the-box labels that truly fit the personality of each DIPA Cat. A spot varnish finish on a matte base allows featured design elements to come alive as the can is rotated. The DIPA Cat designs are a collaboration between Switchback’s long-time Graphic Designer, Interrobang Design, and Artist, Sole Kitchen.”
This beer will join Octane Cat, Galaxy Cat, Cashmere Cat, Calypso Cat, and El Dorado Cat and of course I can’t wait to try it, so off we go.
Brewery Description: Take a thrilling leap with Wai-iti Cat! Meaning “little-water” in Maori, this New Zealand hop jumps headfirst into exhilarating notes of pink pineapple and sweet Galia melon. An extreme 9.1% ABV with a drop of tart sweetness that rebounds quick and fades away.
ABV: 9.1%
Style: Double IPA
Packaging: 16oz cans
Appearance: Bright Golden
Aroma: Citrus & pineapple
Mouthfeel: Medium
Taste: Fresh pineapple, light citrus and dull melon
Overall: Wai-iti Cat has a really flavorful mix of hop goodness. The beer leads with fresh pineapple and melon and finishes with an almost tart but satisfying hop finish. At 9.1%-AbV it has an expected boozy presence (that I liked) and and really satisfying and drinkable combination of fruit-forward flavors.
Switchback was also kind enough to send along their Roasted Red hoppy red ale (the 2nd beer ever released by Switchback).
Brewery Description: Our Roasted Red Ale is a deep mahogany-red colored ale. Its flavor leads with a rich caramel maltiness balanced with a bold hop signature, and followed by a delicate cocoa roasted finish. When selecting the hop varieties to complement our flagship Switchback Ale, we discovered the then new variety of hops called Amarillo. Not the right hop for our Ale, we decided to feature it in our next beer. The pungent citrus and ¬flowery aromas of Amarillo demand a big malt character for balance. We use dark caramel malts to provide an intense malt profile, with a touch of roast malt to cleanse the palate of the inherent sweetness of red ales. To create hop complexity, we add a bit of Simcoe hops to the Amarillo for kettle additions and dry-hopping.
ABV: 5.6%
IBU: 50
Style: Red Ale
Packaging: 16oz cans
Appearance: Deep Ruby Red
Aroma: Biscuit malt & citrus
Mouthfeel: Medium
Taste: Caramel, toffee and roasty notes with a floral and citrusy hop finish
Overall: Roasted Red has a really classic aroma and taste profile making it really fun to sample. The flavors lead with a deep and rich malt profile that is complimented by the roasty malt flavors and hop finish. The balance of malt with floral and citrus hops makes for a really drinkable and unique take on a red ale.
Switchback Brewing Wai-iti Cat & Roasted Red are available now in 16oz canned 4-packs as well as on draught at select Vermont beer stores and at the brewery; so get out there and try them for yourself. And when you do try them, be sure to let us know what YOU think. zzubreebym
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