Today we had the pleasure of sampling two Hix beer brews from Hickinbotham of Dromana, a winery, brewery, and restaurant on the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria.
Andrew Hickinbotham was kind enough to send us a few sample bottles of the Hix beer pale and brown ales. The 500ml bottles look great, a dark green like a mini wine bottle, in keeping with the Hix beer origin at Hickbotham’s winery, established in 1936.
Starting off with the pale ale, not much is given away by the bottle other than the 5%ABV. On pouring the Hix pale has a slightly cloudy body and medium amber colour, hinting at a full malt body. The subtle citrus, pine needle aroma is inviting. To taste there is a initial bitterness well balanced with a full body and light citrus hop taste.
Hickinbotham’s website, sheds a little more light on this unique pale ale describing it as “…a unique brew blending local pale ale malt with New World hops to create a drink for any occasion. It is copper in colour with a caramel sweetness which is balanced with bitterness and aromatics from the hops. A style which is earning a cult following. ”
The Hix brown ale is dark coffee in colour, with a solid head and pine needle caramel aroma. Expecting a full bodied well rounded beer to follow the brand characteristics from the pale ale, we are not disappointed. A medium initial bitterness, similar to the pale ale, is followed by a smooth, full caramel, toffee malt taste – something we could settle into at 4.3% ABV. Nicely balanced with an interesting pineapple, pine needle hop taste. This brown ale gets a big thumbs up from the Find a Brewery team!
With summer ale, pilsner, Irish stout and barley wine styles also available, it won’t be too long before we plan a visit to Hickinbotham’s of Dromana.
Have You been to Hickinbotham’s? Leave a review for Hix Beer or add a comment below.
