Lion's latest James Squire varietal release, Hop Thief 6, is an American-style Pale Ale featuring Simcoe and Columbus hops.
This newest edition to the Hop Thief varietal series is now available on-tap and in-pack nationally.
The Hop Thief varietal series was inspired by the life of Australia’s first brewer and first-fleet convict, James Squire who infamously stole a quantity of herbs known as horehound – the closest thing to hops he could find at the time – so he could brew Australia’s first batch of beer.
As penalty for stealing these ‘hops’, the judge ordered that James Squire receive 150 lashes, but 15 years later he became the first person to grow hops on Australian soil.
James Squire’s Hop Thief varietal series showcases exciting new or fresh seasonal aromatic hops available at the time of each numbered release.
The latest edition, Hop Thief 6 is an American-style Pale Ale with a rich full-bodied malt character to balance the high usage of hops.
“What we’re doing with the Hop Thief varietal series is truly exciting, ground-breaking work,” says Jeff Potter, Head Brewer at the Malt Shovel Brewery.
“The series offers a beer that evolves with each release by using unique hop recipes, every time. Not many other beers in the world can attest to that,” he said.
“We hope that beer drinkers continue to enjoy this evolving series of American-style Pale Ale as they start to appreciate the influence of the different varieties of hops.”
Hop Thief 6 American Pale Ale joins One Fifty Lashes Pale Ale, The Chancer Golden Ale, Nine Tales Amber Ale, The Constable Copper ale, Sundown Australian Lager, Stowaway IPA, Four ‘Wives’ Pilsener and Jack of Spades Porter to form the James Squire family of beers.
Cartons, six-pack baskets and 345ml bottles of Hop Thief 6 will be available nationally in-pack and on-tap in selected venues and outlets from April, and will evolve next season with the introduction of Hop Thief 7.
