Road Test: Kaiju! Double IPA

LOADED with hops and 9.1% alcohol, this craft beer isn’t for the faint-hearted.

141111 TWAM kaijui!s beer pic : supplied Picture: Captioned As

WHAT is it?

A beer that’ll put hair on your chest.

Go on … It’s made by a trio of self-described “nerdy scientist” types from Melbourne who’ve been making craft beer professionally for a year. This Double IPA (a style also known as Imperial India Pale Ale) is totally uncompromising. It’s like being smacked in the face with a hop-filled pillow, followed by a long, bitter finish. It’s 9.1% alcohol, too.

Sounds mad. It’s not even the most extreme beer in Kaiju!’s repertoire. That accolade goes to a black ale called Where Strides The Behemoth — which also features ludicrous levels of hops and rich malt flavours, and is 10.8%. Taxi!

Where can I try them? Among the scores of brews on offer at Sydney Craft Beer Week, which opens next Saturday.

$16 for a 500ml bottle, kaijubeer.com.au