We’ve got a saying at Balter which is beer got us here. It usually gets dropped in those surreal moments where you’re left thinking holy smokes is this really happening. It’s a constant reminder of how fortunate we are to be making beer for a living and what a wonderful life it’s given us.

Recently we had one such experience as we got invited to make a beer with Firestone Walker in Venice Beach, California. To make a beer with one of the most iconic and awarded breweries on earth was such a treat and one of those moments where we looked at each other and said beer got us here!

Founded in 1996 by brothers-in-law Adam Firestone and David Walker, Firestone Walker Brewing Company is a pioneering regional craft brewery located on the coast of California. They have a state-of-the-art brewery in Paso Robles that produces a diverse portfolio ranging from iconic pale ales to vintage barrel-aged beers. Their Barrelworks facility in Buellton makes eccentric wild ales, while the Propagator pilot brewhouse in Venice specializes in R&D beers.

We made a short film about our experience at The Propagator and with the beer available from today thought it would be a great time to share it with you. Thank you to Matt Brynildson, Sam Tierney and the Firestone Walker family for having us. Massive thanks to Hop Products Australia for sending us in with the experimental hop 033 which has never been brewed with outside of Australia.

So the beer is called String Theory Gold Coast IPA (watch video for why) and the tasting notes from Propagator Head Brewer Sam Tierney: Lots of tropical notes in the aroma (mango, dried papaya, pineapple) and some grapefruit. Also has an interesting vanilla/cream soda quality. The malt character is assertive and lightly biscuity. Medium sweetness is well balanced by a firm bitterness. There is a slight haze, which gives it a nice glowing, deep gold appearance. Really nice foam too. Very stable. I really like it. This is a very cool hop.

ABV 7.4%

IBU 51.