Singapore’s Sunbird Brewing Company have collaborated with local peer Brewlander to produce “Triple Threat”, a mightily hopped IPA.
Coming in at a powerful 10% ABV the heroes of this triple IPA are undoubtedly the three hops used in the dry hopping – El-Dorado, Idaho 7 and Nelson Sauvin. Exuding fresh crushed gooseberry, grape and bright tropical fruit the harmonious blend is balanced with a firm, assertive bitterness.
Along with packing a juicy punch, the brew showcases the versatility of the El Dorado hops won by Sunbird Brewing at the inaugural Brew King competition held earlier this year in Singapore.
The brewers at the two breweries were motivated to brew Triple Threat by the yo-yo of government restrictions that have hit the food and beverage industry on the island nation over the past 18 months. These restrictions have threatened the livelihood of many restaurants and bars and left them struggling to stay open.
The local government have imposed tough restrictions on the f&b sector three times during the pandemic. Three sets of restrictions, triple IPA, Triple Threat – the beer virtually named itself.
Three rounds of government restrictions, Triple IPA … pun completely intended.
The two breweries decided to brew this Triple IPA as a shout-out to the tenacity of the industry, wanting to celebrate the strength of their fellow comrades while also highlighting the advantages of working – the three hops working in unison to bring such a depth of flavour to this beer.
“In the midst of all negativity for the past 2 years, it is crucial that we focus on the untouched opportunities out there and you will be surprised of what we can achieve if we are working (and brewing!) together” remarked Clive Tan, founder and head brewer of Sunbird.
A match made at brewing school
Clive first met Brewlander founder John Wei when he attended a homebrewing class led by the latter 7 years ago. With both brewers being lovers of bold, hoppy beers and coincidentally launching their two breweries during the recent pandemic, the partnership for this collaboration seemed quite obvious to Clive “It came up naturally when I was searching for a partnering brewery to create a beer that is meaningful and also pack a punch. We see many Double IPAs around the local market but not so much on Triple IPA. As brewers, we definitely love a hoppy treat on such a rare collaboration.”
Triple Threat was brewed at the Brewlander brewery in Tuas, on the western tip of the island and from 1st December will be available at most of the craft beer taprooms in Singapore, including Crimson By Sunbird, Sunbird Brewing’s own taproom in Ang Mo Kio. Packaged products can be found on both Brewlander and Sunbird’s webstores.
Next up – borderless brewing
With borders now starting to open up and Singaporeans finally able to escape the island for the first time in almost 2 years Clive is hoping his next collaboration can be with an overseas brewery. “I’m booked for a long overdue holiday to South Korea in January, it would be great to line something up when I am there and ship it back to Singapore for the craft beer lovers at home” he told us.
