LERVIG brewery first came to the shelves of the Trembling Madness in the guise of a collaboration brew they made with Huddersfield’s Magic Rock – a farmhouse ale that had been hopped like an American style IPA.

They also now provide much of Mikkeller’s beer, brewing it under contract for the itinerant Dane.

With endorsements like these, it was only a matter of time until importers took notice of this Norwegian brewery, and now their range of craft beers is available in the UK.

Hoppy Joe is an American style red ale, pouring deep ruby like heavily caramelised sugar with luminous copper edges.

The head is a dense, light butterscotch affair, giving off aromas of peaches, black pepper, and ripe plums.

Some bready yeast and caramel malts add foundation to the nose, with some moist earthiness providing further complexity.

Light and dry to begin with, sweet toffee and hazelnuts coat the palate before the hops arrive to provide contrast and balance.

Candied orange peel and a drying pilsner-esque charge of dry, grassy hops and welcomes spicy black pepper and lemon zest to the mix.

The malt’s flavour becomes more deeply caramelised, taking on a treacly undertone as the contrasting flavours make themselves more pronounced. Overall, this is an easy drinking, well balanced, red ale.

Recommended by Michael Bates, Trembling Madness, York