HOP NATION BREWING J-JUICE
When we’re feeling a little salty, let's all do a Constanza and start a mental health conversation with Jerry (or a mate not called Jerry!) over this cold craft and few pretzels.
Origin – Footscray, Victoria
ABV – 7.0%
Size – 375mL can
Style – NEIPA
‘Luke, I am your Father.' 'A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.' If those two lines don't make sense, then none of what you are about to read will matter - 'these are not the words you are seeking', to paraphrase Obi-Wan Kenobi. Jokes to one side, why is it that the Star Wars universe is beyond criticism? It is as if it’s a quasi-religion with followers as devout as any bald-headed monk. It doesn’t even seem to matter if all those sequels and prequels were any good, only that the universe keeps producing - both for the fans and now for Disney, which bought Lucasfilm in 2012 for a measly $US4.06 billion. As of 2022, revenue was an astounding $US65 billion. Talk about a goose producing golden eggs to infinity and beyond!
I'll proudly admit I'm not a fan. Spaceballs is more my wheelhouse. I could watch reruns of Dark Helmet ordering his ship to go to ludicrous speed over and over again! Even more so with a few slices of 'Pizza the Hut' and one of these Jedi Juices in hand. Now, if all that sounds fruity, then I'm right on trend. It's a trend that Sam Hambour and Duncan Gibson, the owners and founders of Hop Nation, have been well ahead since kicking things off in 2016. While others have loaded up their IPAs with Centennial, Columbus and Chinook, dispensing brash bitterness, since inception Hop Nation have preferred to use the fruitier and more tropical note-driven varieties such as Citra & Simcoe. First brewed for GABS 2017, many classified this hazy as the best NEIPA going around.
Although the name changed to J- Juice following an adverse finding by the Advertising (to kiddies) Standards Board, on its 5th anniversary the classification largely remains. Characterised by a cloudy appearance and low carbonation, a gentle citrus aroma and palate reveals juicy notes of passionfruit, pineapple, nectarine and grapefruit before finishing with a tangy kiss of bitter hop that punches through at the end.
While the cans no longer feature the tattoo-sportin', blaster-totin' Princess Leia, the force is still strong within this one!
