Black Rock Xtra Pale Ale

Black Rock Xtra Pale Ale (XPA) is light coloured, moderately bittered, dry and refreshing with a crisp clean finish.

An Xtra Pale Ale (XPA) is a sub-style of Pale Ale that typically features a lighter and more sessionable beer profile, with a focus on showcasing vibrant hop flavors and aromas. The style typically features a lighter malt backbone, which allows the hops to shine and brings out their flavors and aromas. While the bitterness can be moderate, the emphasis is usually on hop-forward characteristics such as tropical fruit, citrus, floral, or herbal notes, depending on the hops used.

 

Additional Ingredients Required:

For a basics brew use 1kg of dextrose. As an alternative to dextrose consider Liquid Brewing Sugar for a light body with a crisp and clean finish.

or

Liquid Malt will give you a smoother mouthfeel and more body. Try one of:

For a subtle malt character use 1.7KG of Ultra Light LME. If you’re looking for some complexity in the flavour profile you could also use 1.7KG of Wheat Malt Extract which will give you mild, bready, and slightly grainy flavor and contribute to a straw colour profile.

 

Option One: NZ Cascade and Pacifica

Citrus blast with orange twist.

Cascade NZ brings classic grapefruit and floral notes, while Pacifica offers sweet orange and subtle floral undertones. Together, they provide a citrusy, slightly floral hop profile that is balanced and refreshing, making it an excellent choice for an XPA. 

 

Option Two: Motueka and Riwaka

Think cirtrus explosion with a tropical twist.

Both hops are known for their intense citrus and tropical fruit character. Motueka’s fresh lime and tropical notes pair beautifully with Riwaka’s passionfruit and grapefruit aromas. This combination would create a super bright, fruity, and aromatic XPA, perfect for a sessionable beer with a big hop punch.

 

Option Three: Pacifica and Nelson Sauvin

We’re going juicy and aromatic.

Nelson Sauvin’s unique white wine and gooseberry flavors are complemented by the vibrant tropical and citrus notes of Riwaka. This pairing would result in a complex yet refreshing hop character, with layers of tropical fruit and a hint of wine-like dryness.

 

 

Looking for a food match? The Black Xtra Rock Pale Ale Goes Well With…

1. Crispy Calamari: The hoppy notes of the beer contrast nicely with the crunch of fried calamari and a squeeze of lemon.

2. Asian Noodle Salad: The beer’s bright flavors balance well with the sweet, sour, and spicy notes of a chilled noodle salad with fresh veggies.

3. Margherita Pizza: The simple flavors of tomato, fresh mozzarella, and basil allow the citrusy, floral, or tropical notes of an XPA to shine (when dry hopped).

4. Chargrilled Vegetable Skewers: The smoky and caramelized flavors of grilled vegetables are enhanced by the XPA’s refreshing and hop-forward profile.

5. Roast Beef, Beetroot and Feta Salad: The earthy sweetness of roasted beets and the tangy creaminess of feta cheese pair nicely with the beer’s hoppy and slightly bitter notes, creating a refreshing and balanced match.