Tinnie of the Week: Rocky Ridge in its element with mixed pack celebrating sustainability

BEER NAME?

Captain Jindong v2

WHERE’S IT FROM?

Rocky Ridge

WHAT’S SO SPECIAL ABOUT IT?

Captain Jindong is back, a mixed six-pack from Rocky Ridge, and the sequel has all the elements to surpass the 2024 original.

Specifically, the elements of earth, wind, water, fire and heart, each beer a nod to the real environmental action the South West brewer takes to be the nation’s “only certified sustainable and carbon neutral brewery”.

Earth is a 5.8 per cent NEIPA, Wind a 6.2 per cent DDH Hazy IPA, Water a 4.2 per cent guava habanero Berliner, Fire an 8 per cent West Coast IPA, and Heart a 6 per cent choc raspberry white stout.

Rounding out the pack is Captain Jindong v2, a triple dry hopped Cali TIPA containing the same sustainable single-sourced malt along with US and NZ hops, coming in at 9 per cent.

Rocky Ridge calls it the “boss beer”. The biggest ingredients. Everything turned up.

They’re not wrong.

When you crack the can, there is a burst of bright, ripe stone fruit flavours on the nose, such as mango and apricot, as well as melon and berries. But underneath that sweet smell is an unmistakable Kiwi dankness with a piney, resinous aroma taking hold.

It pours a pale gold with subtle hop haze, rather than a murky juice bomb, with small frothy white head.

That first sip reveals its bold grassy bitterness as well as a crisp malt base designed to let the hops shine and balance against a too-sweet profile.

The fruit character begins to shine through, with the aggressive bitterness present throughout, before coming to a clean, resinous finish.

SHOULD I SHARE IT?

Captain Jindong packs a super punch at 9 per cent ABV, giving it a lingering warmth, but is best drunk in moderation or shared.

WHAT’S THE DAMAGE?

$44.99 for a four-pack, $100 for a 12-pack featuring all six.