Every beer has a story. Some are told in fields of golden barley swaying in the wind, others in the aromatic cones of hops plucked from trellises growing out of the pink frost. Little Monster from the Id? Let’s just say it came from somewhere between Freud and a record player.
At 4% ABV, this is a beer designed to walk the line between freedom and restraint. Inspired by New Zealand’s indie rock legends The Chills, and infused with a nod to the primal forces of the Freudian Id, Little Monster is a pint-sized companion that helps tame wild urges while amplifying life’s best moments: music, friends, food, and laughter.
The Inspiration: Freud Meets Indie Rock
Our founder Richard, also a psychiatrist, wanted to explore the idea that beer is about more than flavour—it’s about the psyche. The name Little Monster from the Id is not just a playful title; it’s a thoughtful wink at the restless, pleasure-seeking force within us all. Where Freud described the Id as the raw energy of desire, we see beer as a way to channel that energy—transforming the wildness into something joyful, sociable, and celebratory.
Layered into that psychological foundation is a love for music, particularly the jangly, melodic genius of The Chills. Their sound—at once dreamy, playful, and brimming with emotional depth—parallels what we wanted in this beer: something bright, refreshing, and deceptively complex. Just as a Chills song can get stuck in your head, we think Little Monster will find its way into your regular rotation.
Why “Little Monster”?
The name also nods to that part of us we all recognise—the playful mischief, the spark of rebellion, the side of us that craves fun. But like a catchy bassline or a perfect summer riff, Little Monster is controlled energy. It’s joy bottled, not chaos unleashed.
This beer is about finding balance. It’s about celebrating our impulses, but channelling them into connection—with music, with friends, with food, with life.
A Session Pale with a Kiwi Twist
At 4% ABV, Little Monster is technically a session pale ale, but labels only tell part of the story. We wanted a beer that delivered full character without weighing you down—a beer you can return to pint after pint. To achieve that, we drew inspiration from New Zealand hops, known worldwide for their distinctive stone fruit and tropical notes.
Here’s what you can expect from your first sip:
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Aromatics: Bursting ripe stone fruit, layered with tropical waves of guava and passionfruit. A touch of citrus zest drifts across, inviting you in.
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Taste: Nelson Sauvin and Motueka hops take centre stage, delivering flavours of white grape, lime, and ripe peach. These dance over a soft malt body which allows the fruit-forward hops to take the centre stage.
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Finish: Fermented with Verdant yeast, the finish is dry, fruity, and lightly bitter—crisp enough to refresh, smooth enough to sip again. The Vienna malt is the last thing you taste, providing a biscuity malt flavour that lingers on the tongue.
In short: it’s sunshine in a glass, designed to brighten evenings and make long afternoons linger just a little longer.
The Anatomy of a Little Monster
Like every good creation, Little Monster is greater than the sum of its parts. Here’s a peek inside:
Malts
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Extra Pale Malted Barley – forming a clean, crisp backbone.
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Vienna Malted Barley – bringing subtle biscuit notes and a touch of depth.
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Torrefied Oats – for body and a pillowy mouthfeel.
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Cara Pils – lending head retention and a hint of sweetness.
Hops
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Boil: Flex® – clean bittering power, providing balance.
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Hop Stand: Nelson Sauvin & Motueka – bold, expressive flavours of stone fruit and citrus.
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Dry Hop: Nelson Sauvin & Motueka – layers of aroma, locking in that tropical punch.
Yeast
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Verdant Yeast – a specialist strain known for accentuating fruit-forward hops while giving a smooth, dry finish.
Together, these ingredients create a beer that’s vibrant yet balanced, bold yet sessionable.
A Beer for Friends and Food
Beer has always been about community, and Little Monster is no exception. This is a beer that shines brightest when shared. At 4% ABV, it’s light enough for long conversations but flavourful enough to keep you coming back for another.
Food pairings will follow with a special collaboration blog post coming soon! However, in the meantime, pair it with your favourite record and a group of good friends. We like to think The Chills themselves would approve.
The Wild Side, Tamed
There’s something irresistible about the concept of taming the Id. Left unchecked, the Id might drive us toward excess—one too many beers, one too many late nights. But Little Monster offers a playful compromise: indulgence without overindulgence. With its sessionable strength, it’s a beer that lets you enjoy the party without regretting it the next day.
It’s the soundtrack to good times, not the reason for chaos. A beer that understands your wild side, but also knows when to step back.
Final Sip
Little Monster from the Id isn’t just another pale ale. It’s a carefully crafted session beer that brings together philosophy, music, and flavour in a way that feels natural, unpretentious, and fun. With its tropical fruit notes, soft malt body, and crisp finish, it’s a beer that can both tame and celebrate the little monster inside us all.
So gather your crew, put on your favourite playlist, and let the Id out to play—responsibly, of course. Because sometimes the best way to enjoy life’s wild side is with a beer that knows how to balance it.
Little Monster from the Id—now pouring, and ready to become part of your story.
