Northern Monk - Patrons Project 31.06 // The Reincarnation

For our 6th release with Smug, we are bringing a very exciting, Europe-wide first collaboration with the New Zealand beer heroes Garage Project - kia ora Garage Project! Not only are they the leading providers of IPAs in their home country, but they have also driven the development of an innovative new product, Phantasm, which is being successfully used by breweries in New Zealand and the USA. Thanks to Jos and the Garage team, we now had the opportunity to use it here in the UK for Smug 6: The Reincarnation. Phantasm is an extract from Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc grapes. They are incredibly rich in thiol precursors, which when added correctly to fermenting beer can release strong aromas of tropical fruits. In combination with a whirlpool hop blend and an experimental yeast blend, both selected with a high thiol production potential in mind, an exceptionally high content of tropical fruit aromas develops during the early fermentation. But that's not all, we dry-hopped the beer in three stages during mid and late fermentation with a combination of the best Nelson Sauvin and Motueka from New Zealand, and the tropical king from the USA, Citra. The result is a thick and soft NE DIPA with pronounced passion fruit, pineapple, and white grape character, and a blend of citrus undertones. Doesn't that just sound fantastic?