Even as a contributor to the book, as each beer is revealed it is a surprise to me. Though perhaps the bigger surprise would have been if this beer had been omitted from the top 5. It certainly lives up to the brewery’s boast that “it is also one of the highest rated beers brewed in Australia.”

Murray’s describes Icon 2IPA as one of the hoppiest beers consistently brewed in the southern hemisphere.

“It is made in the American version of the Imperial Indian Pale Ale style. The beer’s extensive hopping (more than 1kg of hops per 100 litres) creates intense citrus, passionfruit and peppery characteristics, balanced by sweet biscuity malt and a full bodied, rich-and-rounded bitter finish.”

“Murray’s Icon 2IPA is a challenge to brew, with the huge hop content literally overloading the brewery. We cannot physically put any more hops into this beer.”

As for the critics, well, Mr Crafty Pint, James Smith, wasn’t surprised either.

“Like the underground hit you’re into before everyone else, when Murray’s Icon first appeared, it turned those who’d savoured its delights into proselytising preachers,” he wrote.

“A no-holds-barred, who-dares-wins brew, it’s converted every beer lover in its path with a zeal to make even Richard Dawkins tremble.”

Want to try the best of the Critics’s Choice beers? The Local Taphouse will be tapping the top ten at midday on 1 April at both venues. Apart from trying some great beers, you could win a copy of this terrific new book.

The Critics’ Choice: Australia’s Best Beers
RRP $14.95
Available from bookstores & newsagents from April 1, 2011

www.beerloversguide.com.au

We’re giving readers a chance to win one of four copies of The Critics Choice: Australia’s Best Beers. Just tell us in the comments below which beer you think should be the choice for Australia’s best beer. Winners will be chosen at random from the comments.