It’s cold, its dark ale time, its that time of year we love, and we love it even more now! That’s because two of Australia’s most decorated indie breweries, BentSpoke Brewing Co. and Mountain Culture Beer Co. have announced the release of their first-ever collaboration: On The Terps, a terpene-infused Black IPA that’s bursting with big flavour, dank vibes, and just the right amount of mischief.
Already released, On The Terps is a beer that doesn’t pull any punches. “It’s dank, punchy, and unapologetically ambitious…just the way we like it”, a tongue-in-cheek tagline for a beer that leans into the piney, resiny, dank characters of carefully selected terpenes while staying firmly grounded in BentSpoke and Mountain Culture’s shared commitment to flavour, quality, and craft. The collaboration takes the roasty, hop-forward foundations of a traditional Black IPA and pushes the boundaries further with a proprietary terpene blend. Derived from botanicals including citrus and pine, terpenes bring an intense aromatic complexity that evokes resin, citrus peel, earth and herb.
“We wanted to push the style to a new place, without losing what makes a Black IPA so compelling,” says Richard Watkins, co-founder of BentSpoke. “The terpene infusion adds a whole new layer of aroma and flavour, but the structure of the beer remains balanced, dangerously drinkable and true to the craft.”
Pouring deep black with a creamy tan head, On The Terps (6% ABV) leads with unmistakable dank aromas layered with pine needles, citrus rind and earthy resin. The flavour is rich and bold, combining roasted malt with assertive hop bitterness and punchy notes of grapefruit, passionfruit and pine. The medium-bodied mouthfeel finishes crisp and dry, creating a beer that’s as drinkable as it is daring.
“This collab was about having fun, pushing boundaries, and brewing something we’re both proud of,” adds DJ McCready, co-founder and head brewer of Mountain Culture. “There’s nothing safe about this beer and that’s exactly why we love it. It is perfect for hop lovers, black IPA fans, and anyone chasing something new.”
Though their hometowns, Canberra and the Blue Mountains are separated by distance, BentSpoke and Mountain Culture have long shared similar values: an uncompromising focus on quality, an obsession with flavour, and a passion for creating experiences that bring communities together.
“We’ve been mates well before Mountain Culture was around so to finally brew a beer together has been lots of fun. We have always admired Mountain Culture’s energy, creativity and the way they connect with people through their beer,” says Watkins.
Decked out in forest greens, deep purples, and zaps of electric orange, the can design is a full sensory trip. “It’s a bit psychedelic, a bit forest rave, and a whole lot of fun. We wanted the can to be as unique as the beer itself. It’s playful, trippy and totally different, just like the flavour inside,” continues McCready.
On The Terps is available nationwide via independent bottleshops (Single $8, 4-pack $26), and both brewery taprooms and on tap at select venues.
Visit https://www.bentspokebrewing.com.au/ or https://mountainculture.com.au/ to discover your nearest
stockist.