From a 750ml bottle on 27/5/2026 (shared by Des on Origin night with thanks, 10.8 standard drinks in the bottle!). Pours a dirty, opaque brown orange with barely any head. The nose is fruity and malty with more than a whiff of the whisky booziness. The sip presents a combo orange, caramel and dates, leading into a moderate bitter finish with some zesty citrus with some big whisky notes in the background. Definitely has a bit of barley wine character to it. While you won't mistake it for a light, the 18.3% is reasonably well hidden, albeit that it saw me through my half bottle share last me an entire game of footy. Full bodied with a slick palate and moderate carbonation. Beers this big can be hard work but this one actually works rather well. Not sure if I'd seek it out for a second go, but definitely glad to have tried it.

(Can) Pours clear golden with small white head. Subtle aroma has notes of citrus. Medium body, well carbonated. Tangy citrus start, some light caramel malt and some modest bitterness. Not bad for a mid strength.

Can, bb 5/26. Black with a 3cm light tan head. Mocha and nectarine aroma with some dark toffee underneath. Smooth with toffee, nectarines and mocha before pine does indeed roll though towards a tidy bitter finish. Excellent balance. Very good. Australia and good Black IPA - still a thing.

Black Flag Astro Punk XPA 5.1%

Clear golden color with soapy off-white foam and a piney sweet hop bouquet.

Can from Oak Barrel, Sydney. Pours clear dark amber with a ruby tinge, beige foam. Aroma: malt, caramel, mild toffee, some citrus, red berries. Taste: light to moderate sweet with moderate bitterness, follows the aroma. Medium body with soft carbonation. Good one.

S: fresh hops - apricots - pine A: copper coloured body - thick off-white head T: crisp - stone fruits - grass P: perfumey - floral - biscuits O: well-balanced - alpha acids - clean throughout  375 mL can - LiqourLand: Brisbane CBD (George Street), Queensland, Australia - 02-August-2024 - AU$6,00 - canned: 24-June-2024 - sampled: 02-August-2024

Pours clear straw with a white head. Taste is light malt, corn, hay, floral notes.

(Tap) Clear pale pink amber with small white head. Aroma of berries and candy. Light body with bright carbonation. Good sourness, with berry and candy notes. Refreshing and light but a bit artificial tasting.

Aromas of pine, caramel and biscuit. Soft bitterness in the mouth. An OK pale ale but not much in the way of juice.