Beer & Brewer has rounded up the new releases that have hit the shelves and taps in the past few weeks, with interesting collaborations, unique ingredients, and a landmark anniversary beer.
If you’d like your brewery’s new beer to be featured in an upcoming release round up, or if you’d like to make a submission to our Brew Review, contact djackson@intermedia.com.au.
Young Henrys Swing Juice Country Club XPA
Young Henrys has collaborated with Byron Bay golf and lifestyle apparel brand, Birds of Condor, to release a limited-edition beer, the Swing Juice Country Club XPA.
At a sessionable four per cent ABV, Swing Juice Country Club XPA is brewed with American and Australian hops with a generous but balanced dry hop technique. Young Henrys describes notes of citrus and pine, with a firm malt body and an approachable bitterness.
Swing Juice Country Club XPA features original can artwork from Young Henrys’ long-time collaborator, Sindy Sinn. Sinn’s artwork also features in Birds of Condor’s apparel and accessories capsule collection, which includes hats, a performance polo, t-shirt, party shirt, club covers and a golf towel.
Frankie Kimpton, Co-Founder, Birds of Condor, said that the collaboration felt natural.
“This collaboration is bloody awesome. We’ve been hanging out and bouncing this idea around for years with the Young Henrys crew and to finally do it feels so good. For us and many others, cold beer and golf go hand in hand. Cracking a tin of our own Swing Juice is going to be one of the best sounds in golf,” he said.
Dan Hampton, Brewing Director, Young Henrys, echoed the sentiment.
“Being creative with mates is part of the Young Henrys DNA. We met the Birds crew many years ago and soon realised we share a passion for creating something authentically alternate and having a shit load of fun in the process. The Swing Juice collab beer and merch capsule is made for the weekend warriors who want to look and feel good while smacking a little white ball around some grass. Free yourself of the shackles of goofy golf gear and boring beer; get in and around some Swing Juice!”
Swing Juice Country Club XPA is available from IBA bottle shops including Porters Liquor, Cellarbrations, The Bottle-O and IGA Liquor, or on tap at a range of venues. The limited-edition capsule collection is available exclusively at the Birds of Condor online store.
Beerfarm and Fervor release 10th Native Series beer
Beerfarm and Fervor have released their 10th Native Series beer, Gubinge Gose, showcasing gubinge fruit, also known as Kakadu Plum.
The Native Series is an ongoing collaboration between Beerfarm and Paul ‘Yoda’ Iskov of Fervor, which highlights the unique flavours of Australian native ingredients. The gubinge fruit for this latest release has been sourced by Nyul Nyul custodian Robert Dann and his company Bindam Mie.
Josh Thomas, Head of Production, Beerfarm, explained why gubinge fruit suits the gose style.
“Gubinge is tart, with a nice mix of subtle pear characters that goes well with the gose beer style, a sour beer with a slightly salty taste with less body, that will help the gubinge shine,” he said.
Gubinge Gose is brewed with two malts – Pale and Wheat Malt – and Moteuka hops, along with gubinge fruit and lemon myrtle, resulting in a citrusy, zesty beer. With an ABV of 4.2 per cent and a low bitterness of eight IBU, the beer is refreshing and sessionable.
As well as using fruit sourced by Bindam Mie, the can features one of Dann’s paintings as the artwork. It depicts the gubinge harvesting season, reflecting the colours of the fruit through black, green, and white dotwork.
Originally launching from Dann’s Kimberley Cultural Adventures Tour company, Bindam Mie was established to celebrate the native ingredients of the Kimberly region, and now harvests native ingredients all throughout the country’s northwest. Dann seeks to support Indigenous people, especially youth, by providing employment opportunities.
Dann explained the importance of companies like his own.
“With the knowledge I am teaching younger ones, it empowers them to take it further as well. It’s creating economic development for the whole of the Kimberleys. It’s caring for Country,” he said.
Gubinge Gose is available now from bottle shops and via the Beerfarm website.
Black Brewing Co. Harvest DIPA
Margaret River brewery Black Brewing Co. has released Harvest DIPA, a limited release utilising locally grown barley and hops. Mallokup Malts in Capel provided the malted barley, and the wet hops came from Karridale Hop Farm, being added to the brew less than five hours after harvest. Both crops saw a good harvest this year, with an early barley harvest and hops ripening ahead of expectations.
Gavin Williams, Head Brewer, Black Brewing Co., enjoyed the brewing process.
“We travelled the region and met some great characters. It’s so much fun to throw big hops at an Imperial IPA and even better when the hops are fresh off the bine.
“The Harvest DIPA literally captures the flavours from the soil, air, and water of the Southwest,” he said.
Harvest DIPA is now available at Black Brewing Co’s venue in Margaret River, its online store, and Perth retailers.
CBCo Brewing celebrates 20th anniversary with Goldy Lager
Goldy Lager is the latest beer to come from CBCo Brewing, as well as the first release in the brewery’s 20th year of operation. The release celebrates CBCo Brewing’s long-running dedication to independent brewing and reflects the expertise the brewery has developed over its 20 years of operation.
Lawrence Dowd, Managing Director, CBCo Brewing, is enthusiastic about the release and the 20-year milestone brew.
“We couldn’t be more excited to introduce Goldy Lager to our core range. Goldy is an easy-drinking lager, perfect for the sunny days and those golden moments when you get to kick back, relax and enjoy life’s simple pleasures,” he said.
With low bitterness and a four per cent ABV, Goldy Lager is a refreshing Australian Lager that will appeal to a broad audience. In addition, its striking gold can will make it stand out on shelves.
“Goldy Lager is not just a beer; it is a celebration of CBCo Brewing’s 20 years of brewing expertise. With every sip of Goldy Lager, you are experiencing the smooth crisp taste crafted by over two decades of hard work, dedication, passion and innovation,” Dowd said.
Goldy Lager is available at CBCo Brewing’s venues and in bottle shops.
Young Henrys Classic Range
Young Henrys has released its Classic beer range, exclusively available at Dan Murphy’s and BWS stores in NSW, Victoria and Queensland. The three-product range comprises Classic Crisp, Classic Premium, and Classic XPA, aimed at the everyday beer drinker with a preference for lighter styles.
The Classic Crisp is a low carb, mid-strength lager, appealing to the moderating consumer, with a palate of gentle spice and approachable bitterness. The Classic Premium pairs craft malt and local hops with modern hop variations, resulting in a clean, creamy malt flavour with a delicate body and light bitterness. The Classic XPA is a well-balanced, refreshing XPA for new entrants into the craft beer category.
Jesse Searls, Head Brewer, Young Henrys, said that the Classic range provides a gateway into craft beer.
“Whether you’re right at the beginning of your craft beer journey, or a veteran of the scene, this range has something for you. The Classic Crisp, Classic Premium, and Classic XPA are all brewed from the highest quality Australian ingredients and come to you at a very reasonable price without sacrificing flavour and integrity. There is something for everyone in this range, and we hope you enjoy them as much as we do,” he said.
Nerissa Budynek, Beer Strategy and Innovation Category Manager, Endeavour Group, said that the new range responds to current consumer trends.
“This is a fantastic initiative from the Young Henrys team and we are excited to be partnering on these exclusive products. We’re always looking for ways to bring new and exciting products to our customers, and working together in this way allows us to get a great quality product to our customers, while offering great value,” she said.