The Sip #67 Bridge Road Little Bling
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
Ben Kraus has gone backwards to go forward.
The guru behind Bridge Road Brewers had considerable success with a couple of jewels from his country Victoria operation.
Bling (5.8 per cent) was originally released as an India Pale Ale with 24-carat modified malts and hops that glistened in the tanks.
It prompted Kraus to polish the original into an Imperial IPA called Bling Bling that topped the alcohol count at 8.5 per cent.
So for Kraus to continue the series he needed to do some lateral thinking. Either he went even higher in strength to create a palate wrecker or look the other way.
The result is Little Bling.
The title could well reflect the type size on the label but the drinker is drawn into the moniker by a psychedelic eye-bender.
They are then mesmerised by the taste. Punters normally don’t expect much from a mid-strength brew.
Yet at 3.5 per cent Little Bling retains all the elements of a full-flavoured IPA, minus the sting of alcohol.
Bridge Road's Bling range of beers.
The range’s smaller brother has a hop aroma that grabs by the nose hairs before sending citric delights up the nostrils.
Little Bling retains a solid foam cap, keeping the brew in the glass fresher for longer – such an important factor for lower ABV beverages.
There is also a nutty edge to the taste and a bitter finish that follows a slightly light mouthfeel, the only hint of its alcohol rating.
Bridge Road might have caught the right train with Little Bling.
There is a growing trend among those that favour artisanal beers for lower ABV levels. It gets down to that polarising term, sessionable. Punters want to be able to drink several hoppy brews in one sitting. And that means alcohol bombs don’t suit the situation.
But there will always be room for punchy beers. So maybe a Big Bling could still be around the corner for Bridge Road? No pressure Ben!
The Sip Snip
Little Bling
Brewer: Bridge Road Brewers
Style: India Pale Ale
Alcohol content: 3.5%
Standard drinks: 0.8
Bitterness: N/A
Bottles: 330ml
Estimated calories: 105
The Sip Tip (rating): Always keep one in the fridge.
Average prices: $4 per bottle. $18 six-pack.
