During the summer of 2024 award-winning Dorset-based Badger Brewery invested significantly in their Outland brand, comprising a range of beers whose outstanding taste received endorsement at the World Beer Awards 2024.
The Outland range was launched in April 2023 giving the independent family brewer a presence in the craft beer sector to complement their success in the Premium Bottled Ale (PBA) category.
Outland initially launched with three flavours: Ginger Pale Ale, Milk Stout and West Coast IPA (the latter on draught only). It has since launched five more styles, available on rotation: Hazy IPA, Tropical Pale Ale, Peach Lager, India Pale Lager and Black IPA.
Outland secured distribution with four out of the ‘Big 5’ grocers within a year of launch and is now available in 2,200 stores nationwide.
At the World Beer Awards 2024, Outland Ginger Pale Ale won both a gold medal and a Country Winner award in the Flavoured Beer category; their Milk Stout and West Coast IPA won silver and bronze medals, respectively.
Commenting on the success of the new brand, Giles Mountford, head of brand marketing for Badger Brewery, said: “In the 18 months since we launched Outland, it has more than delivered on our expectations: significant off-trade listings, prestigious awards for both taste and packaging, and most importantly, a positive reaction from consumers at the many events where we have sampled the beers.
“We are developing the Outland range at both ends, with styles such as the India Pale Lager, which is a classic entry level craft beer, as well as more niche variants such as the Black IPA, which is a more complex beer that will satisfy established craft beer drinkers looking for new flavours.”
Whilst Badger Brewery’s reputation is firming established we were keen to sample beers from the Outland range and were impressed with what we received.
West Coast IPA 5.0%
When poured this deep golden IPA is slightly cloudy with a subtle head; the mouthfeel is smooth with hints of citrus, malt and hops; it is not overly effervescent, but very refreshing when served chilled.
An impressive, easy drinking IPA that more equals the mainstream IPAs, underpinned with brewing expertise that span over two centuries.
Black IPA 5.0%
A decidedly stout IPA, which delivered a hearty nutty and almost burnt caramel flavour, with a delicate bubbles, which was an equally easy drinking IPA.
Unusual in its appearance, the moody black liquid initially confused the senses; expecting a hearty stout, we were pleasantly surprised with the lightness of this IPA, which has to be a ‘first’.
India Pale Lager 4.7%
The slightly lower ABV of this unique fusion of a premium lager and a contemporary IPA produces a cloudy beer that has the refreshment of a quality lager, but the depth of flavours from a proper IPA.
We have never sampled an IPL, but this category is becoming increasingly popular for obvious reasons.
An IPL brings together two of the most popular styles, a lager and an IPA, which appear to offer the best of both worlds.
IPLs provide big hop flavours associated with IPAs, but are brewed to be lighter than traditional IPAs, yet still deliver the satisfying citrus finish.
It will be interesting to compare and contrast Outland’s IPL with others that are being produced other breweries, but this IPL has set the bar high.
Our conclusion is that the three beers that we sampled are exceptional and we expect the Outland range to continue to win over new customers who are looking for authentic, impressive and refreshing beers.
For more information visit their website