PRIMARY FLAVOURS

• Peach
• Pine
• Toast
• Bitter

Story

For a region that is rather famous for food and wine, it seemed wrong that Orange didn't have a brewery in the NSW Central Ranges. Sure, you can say that about many country towns, but Orange seemed ripe for it. Or at least that's what Jon Shiner thought when he packed in his Sydney corporate world to open Badlands Brewing in 2010.

In the years since, Orange's star has shone, and Badlands has become a trailblazer, now delivering a welcome shot of craft beer in the heart of wine country without ever trying to be a big brewery.

Indeed, Jon still crafts in 1000-litre handmade batches, which feels like nothing in an Australian beer world where even Coopers have a minimum batch size of 65,000 litres.

Uniquely, it was English-styled brews that Jon first started brewing at Badlands, too, and they continue to mark the s range today. English Porters, Scottish Ales, "Mids' and more litter the tap lineup at the Badlands brewpub in Orange, mixed in with a more modern array of hop-forward IPA and Pale Ales.

Stir in a little English humour (the alcoholic ginger ale is called 'Only a Ginger') and you have a range of craft beers with a real personality.

While American-inspired hoppy Pale Ales are now everywhere, lots of the modern styles are all about aromatic punch without much substance. The Inland Ale is not that, with a bit more colour (can you see the amber tinge?), more flavour and a bit more country grunt. You still get all the hoppy aromatics but with extra toasty malt, which fills out the palate with a bit more toasty richness to go with the fruity notes and all finishing with with some proper bite.

Specs

PAIRING GUIDE

We can never resist a chilled glass of IPA, and this beauty from the Badlands team of master brewers is right up there with the best of them. Deliciously hoppy and dry, it’s the kind of beer that works best with hearty, homemade food and street food dishes, preferably eaten al fresco on a sunny day. We especially enjoyed it with a halloumi pitta or Greek gyros sandwich, but it’s going to be equally brilliant with white fish with a touch of citrus dressing, roast or southern fried chicken, or pork and fish tacos with plenty of chilli and coriander. Veggie burgers, chicken schnitzel, Indian curries, Chinese crispy duck… the list of excellent pairing options just goes on and on!

RECIPE MATCHES

• Thai Beef Larb
• White Fish with Zesty Polenta Crust
• Easy Chicken Gyros