Coopers Extra Strong Vintage Ale launches this week, with special events held in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide and another in Perth early next month.
The 2016 Extra Strong Vintage Ale is the 16th beer in the series that goes back to its launch in 1998.
Coopers managing director, Tim Cooper, said the 2016 Vintage Ale featured the use of five varieties of hop.
“The master hop breeder at Ellerslie Hop Estates recommended the use of a new variety of hops, Astra, which has been grown in Myrrhee in Victoria.
“This particular hop offers floral and fruity tones which complement another favourite stablemate, Melba, grown in the same region,” he said.
“The third variety is Northern Brewer, a variety originally bred in England in 1932 which imparts herbaceous and spicy notes.
“All three varieties contribute to the bitterness and aroma of the beer.
“Dry hopping with Styrian Goldings and Cascade provides added complexity with delicate aroma notes and flavours.”
Cooper said premium quality pale, crystal and wheat malts provided a foundation for the “robust” flavours, while Coopers’ reliable ale yeast helped produce an intense array of esters with fruity notes.
The 2016 Coopers Extra Strong Vintage Ale maintains the bitterness of previous years at 60 IBU and an alcohol level of 7.5 percent ABV.
The ale has also been seeded with live yeast for bottle conditioning and to enhance the longevity of the beer, which will change over time as the bitterness slowly mellows and rich, sweet caramel-like characters emerge.
