Sayonara

According to Miguel’s brewing notes, the first batch of Tuta Black IPA was brewed in February 2019. We’d never brewed a Black IPA before, and this one took us on a ride we won’t soon forget.

About six weeks after bottling that first batch, we cracked a few open and couldn’t stop smiling. It was close. It wasn’t perfect, but it was damn close. So, with only 50 or so bottles, we decided to save them and spend the next brew tweaking things: a touch more hops, a bit less bitterness, a richer chocolate backbone.

What we didn’t plan for was a full-blown bottle bomb crisis.

A couple of weeks later, secondary fermentation had other ideas. Bottles started exploding — literally. The garage stank like a Paceville street on Sunday morning. There were flies everywhere. The floor was stickier than the dance floor at Ryan’s. One time, a pair of bottles even exploded in the back seat of Jean’s car mid-drive. For a second, he genuinely thought he was being shot at.

It’s safe to say Tuta has been our most chaotic beer to date. But it’s also been one of the most rewarding. Since its launch, it’s consistently stood out in our range — a bold, dark IPA in a sea of pales and hazies. A beer that caught craft drinkers off guard in the best way possible.

Sadly though, Tuta’s time has come (at least for now). As HUSKIE continues to grow and our beers reach more bars and fridges across Malta, we’ve had to make some tough decisions to stay nimble in production. Which means... Tuta is taking a step back to make room for something new.

We’ve been working quietly on a replacement - a beer we’ve been talking about for a while now. It’s rich, seasonal, and something we can’t wait to crack open on a cold winter night.

So here’s to Tuta - the bombastic Black IPA that pushed us, taught us, and gave more than a few of you a taste of the unexpected.

Stay tuned for the next chapter. Something’s brewing.