Rocky Ridge x Bracket Liberum Fermentum West Coast Black IIPA 500ml Can

Liberum Fermentum meaning: “We brew what we want.” Also known as: the middle finger to marketing, the mission statement of every brewer.

Pour: Midnight black body, creamy tan head
Smell: Pine, guava, berries and citrus over gentle roast and dark bread
Taste: Tropical fruit, resin and citrus balanced by subtle roast complexity
Finish: Crisp, lingering bitterness, echoing subtle roast

First in a series of four killer interstate collaborations we’ve created with great Aussie brewing mates for IPA DAY ’26. Liberum Fermentum meaning: “We brew what we want.” Also known as: the middle finger to marketing, the mission statement of every brewer.

When we put our heads together with Sydney legends at Bracket Brewing for this project we quickly came to the collective decision to ignore all trend forecasts in favour of a criminally underrated style that we want to drink.

A sturdy foundation of base malt, Munich II and roasted wheat lays down a midnight-black canvas that’s surprisingly light on its feet. Gentle roast and dark bread crust notes quietly hum away underneath an outrageously stacked hop bill featuring Rakau, Mosaic, Ella, NZ Rhapzody, Rakau Amplifire, Mosaic HyperBoost, Rakau SubZero Hop Kief and Centennial.

The result is a genuine mind-bender – fresh berries, guava and tropical fruit balanced with a wave of pine, citrus and resin. Despite looking like it should drink heavy, it’s remarkably crisp, finishing with that unmistakable West Coast snap. Light roast intertwines with bold bitterness before lingering long after the glass is empty. Turns out, when brewers brew what they want, everyone wins.