July is just around the corner and even though the calendar says it’s summer we still haven’t been subjected to any truly blistering days. This comfortably warm weather strikes me as an invitation to get on my bike and venture out to one of the city’s thriving craft breweries for a beer you can only find at the source.

Indie Ale House’s Barnyard IPA is delicious and unusual enough to justify the trip to the Junction.

This beer has a globe-trotting list of influences: a Belgian yeast strain, American IPA recipe and Australian-developed Galaxy hops. It can’t be accused of having a narrow or homely focus. 

Barnyard is a clear, rich amber with a white, frothier-than-average cap. The aroma casts honey sweetness on top of a light hint of stone fruit and herbal, fresh hops. Between the sweet, fruity start and a moderately bitter close there is a captivating dessert-with-something-savoury element to early sips. Something akin to your first bite of strawberries with black pepper.

Even if June sticks to the present rainy theme for its final weekend, inventive beers like the Barnyard IPA make the trip to Indie Ale House worthwhile. Also, I'd like to continue the project of trying from-the-brewery-only beers, so if you have suggestions, please leave them in the comments below.

Indie Ale House Barnyard IPA, available on tap and in bottles from the brewery.