PRIMARY FLAVOURS
- Grapefruit
- Pizza crust
- Orange
- Toffee
Story
2008 in the Australian craft beer world feels like ancient history, and it's always a pleasure to know that Vale Brewing is still around nearing twenty years later.
Starting off in life as the McLaren Vale Beer Company in 2008, the history of Vale Brewing is as much intertwined with the personality of 'The Vale' as anything, with the iconic six dot Vale logo paying homage to the brewery's home among the vines.
Things started pretty well for Vale Brewing too, with the OG Vale Ale topping the GABS Hottest 100 poll in 2010 as Australia's favourite craft beer. In the years since, the Vale family has expanded to include a core range that includes Tropic Ale, Crisp Lager, Mid Coast and IPA.
What's even more satisfying is that this stalwart craft beer brand remains in South Australian family hands, as it is owned by the Bickfords group run by Angelo Kotses and his wife Mary.
In 2022, Vale Brewing also returned to its spiritual home with the opening of the Vale Restaurant and Bar atop the rolling hills of Blewitt Springs in McLaren Vale, where you can get a Port Lincoln flathead to accompany your chilled glass of locally crafted beer!
Described as an 'East Coast IPA', which is a style of India Pale Ale that has less wild hoppy bitterness and more malt. Oh yes, this is a powerful yet approachable style of mouthfilling beer. You still get that step up in density that IPA is renowned for, and yet this amber coloured brew delivers a bit more caramel and mellow notes to complement the grapefruit tang. It's a great combination that just works.
Specs
| key | value |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| State | SA |
| Region | McLaren Vale |
| type | India Pale Ale |
| Brewery | Vale Brewing |
| alcohol | 5.5% |
| size | 375ml |
| Hops | Citra, Mosaic and Galaxy |
| Ingredients | Water, Yeast, Hops, Barley, Wheat |
PAIRING GUIDE
We make no secret of our enduring love for craft IPA, and Vale Brewing in McLaren Vale have quickly become one of our favourite producers of expressive, flavourful and hoppy beers. This stunner is sure to hit the high notes, and not least because it pairs so well with a massive array of tasty dishes - we loved with a fruity chicken curry or barbecued fish with plenty of chilli, but it’s equally worth trying with street food classics like meat pies, pulled pork sandwiches, katsu sandos and chika rolls. Banh mi, Pad Thai, satay skewers and pho are never a bad choice for those seeking bold flavour combos, but it’s also going to taste great with a big plate of fish and chips or a roast ham dinner. Nice!
| key | value |
|---|---|
| FOOD | Osso Bucco, Mushroom Pasta |
| TASTES | Creamy, Rich |
| MOODS | Bored, Relaxed |
| SEASONS | Spring, Autumn, Cooler Months |
