Strength: 5% ABV
Brewed: Walthamstow, London
Founded on the back of a hobby that turned into an obsession, Wild Card Brewery functions from its own site in Walthamstow, having opened at the beginning of 2014. Since launching, Wild Card has become renowned for producing no-nonsense, uncompromising beers with a four-strong core range inspired by playing cards. These include ‘King of Hearts’ blonde beer, ‘Ace of Spades’ London Porter, and ‘Jack of Clubs’ ruby ale and ‘Queen of Diamonds’ – an India Pale Ale.
Continuously hopped throughout the brewing process, ‘Queen of Diamonds’ is an aggressively hoppy IPA with a sharp bitter edge. When poured, the beer is hazy orange with a foaming white head. On the nose, tropical notes of lychee and mango are joined by an explosion of citrus fruits – particularly orange juice, tangerine, grapefruit and lemon peel, joined by a slight caramel sweetness. The tropical notes continue on to the palate, joined by flavours of nectarine and grapefruit, continuing with a powerful bitterness. Medium-bodied with a somewhat oily texture and soft carbonation, this is a simple, easy-drinking IPA that seems perfect for the coming summer months. Irrevocably, the beer’s citrus notes prevail once more, ending with a lasting, bitter finish with notes of tart lemon that make just one more sip seem irresistible.
Further information on Wild Card Brewery, as well as a list of stockists is available from wildcardbrewery.co.uk.
Photo: Erika Tambke