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The Sip #62 Cheeky Monkey Hagenbeck

Long-time beer drinker and The Sip editor Ross Lewis puts some of Australia's top drops to the test.

Catch up with other beers on The Sip Archive

A couple of the obvious places to find a Cheeky Monkey getting up to its usual antics would be at a zoo or circus.

So the Margaret River brewery with the primate moniker found a perfectly apt name for their beer that entertains, delights, is mischievous, challenges, at times, confuses the drinker.

It made sense for Cheeky Monkey to call their Belgian India Pale, Hagenbeck.

German Carl Hagenbeck was a trader in wild animals during the late 1800s. He had strong links with beasts on display. Monkeys were popular with audiences.

At 5.8 per cent the drop has a bit more strength than a Punch and Judy Show. But the beer plays the role of ring leader by bringing various elements together in the hybrid style.

The Belgian yeast is unmistakable of the nose and palate. There is also some tarty stone fruit on the aroma and a tinge of the old lolly milk bottle.

The Hagenbeck has also been dry-hopped twice and the bitterness comes to play very early. It helps to heat up the mouth.

Orange and grapefruit also add to the flavour of the beer.

The brewer has been cheeky to try to blend two styles – Belgium white and English IPA.

Yet the team can be pleased they achieved the task. One does complement the other, which was the aim. There is no monkey business about the promise.

Cheeky Monkey have fortunately been sending bottles of Hagenbeck from Margaret River to other markets.

Yet a visit for a tasting at the Caves Rd venue adds to the experience.

And the Hagenbeck will be a feature of Saturday's South West Craft Beer Festival.

The Sip Snip
Hagenback
Brewer: Cheeky Monkey, WA
Style: Belgian India Pale Ale
Alcohol content: 5.8%
Standard drinks: 1.5
Bitterness: 47
Bottles: 330ml
Estimated calories: 174
The Sip Tip (rating): Top shelf.

Average prices: $50 a bottle at Mane Liquor.