Mismatch Brewing Co - XPA - Beer Review

Review Date: 14/12/2021
Brewery Name: Mismatch Brewing Co (Hay Valley, South Australia, Australia)
Beer Name: XPA

Beer number 14 of our Beer Cartel Advent Calendar for 2021

Check out our full run down and review of the 2021 Beer Cartel Christmas Beer Advent Calendar

"A never before seen XPA from Mismatch.
Using the water and hopping schedules inspired from our New England IPAs, we heavily RO treated the water on our closed loop, zero waste water system, to round out and soften the mouth feel resulting on a super sessionable beer. We achieved a low IBU through low temperature whirlpool even with the heavy hop load of 2.8g/L making this beer even more drinkable. A massive hop aroma was accomplished through multiple dry hops through the fermentation at a hefty 18g/L - Massive for a 4.8% beer. Needless to say, the accounts team isn’t too happy with the brew team!!
This beer is for hop heads and novices alike, this is the perfect beer on a summer’s day."

Mismatch Brewing Co - XPA Can

General

Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 4.8% (Standard)



Label/Design: 6/10

Serving Style: Can

Region of Origin: Pacific (Australia, New Zealand)

Style Family: Pale Ale (XPA)

Malts/Adjuncts: Pale, Wheat, Carahell

Hops: Azacca, Idaho 7, Kohatu

IBU's: 20

Mismatch Brewing Co - XPA - Can Notes

Appearance

Colour: Pale Gold

Clarity

Brilliant

Clear

Slight Haze

Hazy

Collar of Foam & Head Retention

None

Poor (Up to 15 secs)

Moderate (15 - 60 secs)

Good (more than 60 secs)

Foam Texture

N/A

Thin

Fluffy

Mousse-Like

Carbonation (Visible)

None

Slow

Medium

Fast-Rising Bubbles

Alcohol Aroma

Not Detectable

Mild

Noticeable

Strong

Harsh

Aroma & Flavour

Esters Aroma: None
Phenols: None

Alcohol Taste:

Not Detectable

Mild

Noticeable

Strong

Harsh

Hop Pungency:

Mild

Moderate

Strong

Extreme

Hop Bitterness:

Restrained

Moderate

Aggressive

Harsh

Malt Sweetness:

Low

Medium

High

Cloying (Excessive)

Astringency: 

Low

Medium

High

Palate/Mouthfeel: 

Light Bodied (Thin/Watery)

Medium Bodied (Light + Full)

Full Bodied (Round, Rich & Creamy)

Palate Carbonation: 

Low

Medium

High

Length/Finish:

Short (Up to 15 seconds)

Medium (15 to 60 seconds)

Long (More than 60 seconds)

Oxidative/Aged Qualities: None

Mismatch Brewing Co - XPA in the Craftd Freddy glass

Overall

Drinkability: 8/10

Overall Impression: 9/10

Notes

This beer is heavily dry hopped at a rate of 18g/L, which is huge - more like IPA (or double IPA) territory but it really works somehow. The IBU's are low at only 20, and the ABV isn't particularly high either so this amount of hops almost shouldn't work - but it does. And it's great. Carbonation seems quite high and the dry finish helps to offset the strong hop flavours. Well balanced and all together, really enioyable.