A very popular beer, the 8 Wired Tall Poppy made a welcome re-appearance this week, both in cans at on tap (and therefore at fill stations). As happens I noticed an Australian version of a Red IPA from One Drop, so here I am, perhaps forlornly, comparing Two Red IPAs: 8 Wired Tall Poppy vs One Drop Red Eye, well that is the plan. Also I might be singing a brilliant bit of New Zealand Lore the song from Split End “I see Red” whilst I type this, and so the music choice might be difficult. Not impossible, There’s all sorts of avenues, but I might avoid “some Simply Red” but who knows.
8 Wired Tall Poppy, the OG, the classic.
One Drop Red Eye, the young gun, modern, a little bit bob and weave.
Both of these beers are, to labour the point, Red IPA in style that you hope have that explosion of caramel-rich amber ale maltiness with bold and bitter hop character, having said that I’m expecting the One Drop’s version, perhaps fancifully, to veer towards a “juicy IPA”. I’ve written about Tall Poppy at least twice before, and having re-read the bits It’s safe to say I really like it. :-), the One Drop well there’s always a first time.
8 Wired Tall Poppy is in the style this is India Red Ale / Red IPA, with an ABV of 7% and with 60 IBU things. of course Tall Poppy is brewed by 8 Wired Brewing who are in Warkworth, New Zealand
One Drop Red Eye Is in the style that is Red IPA with an ABV of 7%. One Drop Brewing make the Red Eye in Botany, New South Wales, Australia
8 Wired describes Tall Poppy as “an ale that is not afraid of standing tall among other great beers.” The intense, sharp and fruity hoppiness is backed by its complex, caramel-like malty structure. It’s designed to be big yet refreshing, bold but balanced – “the greatest common denominator.”
One Drop’s Red Eye is described as their “first Red IPA of the season” built upon a heavy malt base from New Zealand, along with four other specialty grains. Like Tall Poppy, it aims for both a comforting malt-forward backbone and a beautiful amber hue – that “crimson colour of autumnal nostalgia.”
So, What could possibly go wrong?
One of the difficult bits was finding two glasses the same, can’t be accused of having a glass bias.
They look different, The Tall Poppy is bright deep Red, shiny, the One Drop is hazy, so not a complete surprise, but it looks muddy and is ‘duller’ to look at. The heads are different too, low and slow compared to big and feisty.
The aromas are different, the Tall Poppy just leaps out as a malty sugar punch, the Red Eye much more towards a medicinal bouquet of things, both are really nice, just very different.
8 Wired: The beer pours a bright reddish-brown, and drinks with a lovely sweetness and pinch of bitterness that give to a gentle grapefruit, and resinous character , soft for 60 IBU, and has a lovely mouthfeel and delicious lingering note. It is very good.
One Drop: The beer pours a dark reddish-brown almost muddy, different, has darker aroma and deeper notes, what really hits out, aside from that really persistent big marly sweet aroma, is just how hoppy this is, and the malt sweetness is the second character, a more tropical beer than Tall Poppy. I’m rather dazzled to be honest.
The problem comes in having done some research is that what you interpret from words can be at odds with the reality of how I taste these.
What did I learn?
I went in thinking of Tall Poppy as the classic, the one you’re going to love no matter what, what you’re looking for, good honest beer, and you might think that maybe having had another newer version, a touch unrefined around the edges, a bit staid, but it is full of its own personality and it really is on pointe as to style and expectations.
Red Eye, a modern take with it’s tropical character and slightly more restrained bitterness. This is somewhat problematical as it really is very very nice, and long live the king and all that, but this is a twist I wasn’t expecting. The persistence of that bold aroma and then the unfolding softer hoppier beer with a strong malt backing, well it’s confusing and confounding. In the side by side I’ve drunk more of the One Drop than the 8 Wired beer, I could make excuses, but what’s the point.
Both are excellent, just different, with my side of cheese, pickles and Salami they both complimented added enjoyment. It’s hard to pick.
Thepdubyah-o-meterrates these as9of its things from the thing. Right, but for different reasons, and mostly because I don’t want one to be ‘better’ than the other, it’s just not all about that.
The double dip review
Where did I get it? The local Liquorland of course.
Am I enjoying it? Them? oh goodness yes but differently, it’s difficult.
Would I have another? In my heart I know which for me is better in this test.
Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? What could go wrong with this side by side I said, so so much it turns out. What an evening this would be,
Music for this: Compulsion made me choose something with ‘Red’ in to, so The Red Elastic Band it is. I’m not really convinced though. Maybe Split Enz “I See Red” would have been more fitting after all.
INDIA PALE ALE & IPA
India Pale Ale gets its name and unique style from British brewers who were making beer for export to India. This style has an intense hop flavor which was used to preserve the beer for the long voyage. India Pale Ale has a golden to copper color with a medium maltiness and body. The aroma is moderate to very strong. IPAs work especially well at cutting the heat of chili, vindaloo or Sichuan cuisine.
RED IPA (INDIA RED ALE)
Red IPA, also known as India Red Ale, combines the intense hop character of an India Pale Ale with the rich malt complexity of an American Amber or Red Ale. This hybrid style emerged from American craft brewers seeking to balance bold hop bitterness with substantial caramel malt sweetness. Red IPA has a deep amber to reddish-copper color with a medium-full maltiness and body featuring notes of toffee, caramel, and toasted bread. The aroma ranges from moderate to strong, showcasing both the fruity, piney, or citrusy hop character and the sweet malt backdrop. The malt profile provides enough backbone to support aggressive hopping while adding its own flavor complexity. Red IPAs work especially well with barbecued meats, aged cheeses, and dishes with caramelized or roasted elements.
A life just as ordinary 