This month we have an abridged version of our interviews - as you can appreciate, our breweries have been very busy adapting to the changes brought on by the COVID-19 restrictions and we didn't want to follow up any breweries as we know their time is better spent in their business.

 

The Coastal Brewing Company questions with Owner Helen Black

You travelled to Canberra recently to meet with politicians to discuss issues affecting the craft beer industry. What was raised and what changes are the IBA pushing for? 

As part of the Independent Brewer’s Association (IBA) advocacy strategy, Helen Black, Owner of The Coastal Brewing Company, was recently part of a presentation team (together with Peter Philip from Wayward and David Kitchen from Ballistic) that went to Parliament House, Canberra in February this year.  The purpose of the visit was to primarily put forward the IBA’s case for an excise rebate increase and request for funding in the 2020/21 Federal Budget for the development of a long term growth strategy for the Australian independent beer industry. The day of meetings was followed by an independent beer event for MPs, Senators and government staffers which included remarks from David Littleproud, Minister for Agriculture & Water Resources; The Hon Nola Marino, Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories; The Hon Joel Fitzgibbon, Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Resources; and The Hon Anthony Albanese, Leader of the Opposition.

If you could brew a beer with no regards to cost, production or sales, what would it be and why? 

It would be a beer made that showcased some of the fabulous local produce from the Barrington Coast region where the brewery is based. The region produces some delicious baked goods, buffalo cheese, artisan bread so it would make for an exceptionally interesting beer!

Beers in your pack include:

Boomerang Beach Pale Ale (ABV 5.4% )

Named in honour of the ever-popular Boomerang Beach near Forster that many people keep coming back to. This American style pale ale has lots and lots of American Centennial, Cascade, Simcoe and Citra hops.

Black Head Milk Stout (ABV  4.7% )

Named after the award winning (Keep Australia Beautiful Program) Black Head beach which is located midway between Forster and Taree. The lactose (milk) added during the boil makes this a sweeter style stout and with moderate IBU's and ABV this will appeal to stout and non-stout drinkers alike.

Booti KNEIPA (ABV 5.3% )

Brewed using the Bergen strain of Kveik (Norwegian Farmhouse Ale yeast), fermented hot to generate fruit esters and heavily dry hopped with Australian Galaxy, New Zealand Nelson Sauvin and New Zealand experimental hop HORT4337 this is a really juicy, fruity, hazy ANZ Norwegian New England style IPA!! Coming in at around 5.3% ABV, it is low on bitterness but high on flavour. Named after the Booti Booti National Park, just south of Forster on The Lakes Way.

Sandbar SIPA (ABV  5.0% )

Brewed with a blend of Loral, Mosaic and Mandarina Bavaria hops the tropical fruit, tangerine, floral and citrus notes abound from this 5% IPA. The hop aroma and flavour combine with a solid malt base and just the right amount of bitterness to make sandbar SIPA a sessionable session IPA!

 

Lord Howe Island Brewing Co interview with Co-owner Christian Young 

Tell us about the inspiration behind your beer and spirit ranges?

LHI Brewing Co. creates world class beers that are inspired by our world heritage home. We celebrate and educate about the unique Fauna found on Lord Howe and nowhere else in the world. Some of these animals have been on the brink of extinction and through careful management saved for many generations in the future. 

LHI Distilling Co. creates award winning spirits that use both wild and endemic botanicals from Lord Howe Island. We celebrate and educate about the unique Flora found on the Island. Many of these species do not occur anywhere else on the planet. We have some amazing botanicals that we can’t wait to show through our spirits.

And what are the backgrounds of the team? 

Anthony Riddle - A 6th generation Lord Howe Islander and founder of Marine Adventures Turtle Tours on LHI. Fond traveller & drinker of craft beer.

Christian Young - A Sydneysider, who grew up on LHI each January for many years. A marketing professional in the Tech industry, Skier & lover of craft beer.

If you could brew a beer with no regards to cost, production or sales, what would it be and why?

A NEIPA, which is super hazy, super juicy and all proceeds donated to Lord Howe Island preservation. (it might happen) 

Beers included in your pack:

Phasmid Pale

The Phasmid Pale Ale is American inspired and a nod to whaling ancestor, Nathan Thompson, who settled on Lord Howe in 1853. This bold flavoured APA provides an aroma of citrus and pine with hints of Lord Howe Island in every brew. The Lord Howe Island stick insect was thought to be extinct by 1920, only to be rediscovered in 2001. Regarded as the "the rarest insect in the world", with only 24 individuals living on Ball's Pyramid, this beer celebrates the Phasmid captive breeding program to eventually be reintroduced to the Island.