Shop our new Brewers B-Sides merch capsule
Our new B-Sides merch! Shot by Yeah Rad
Our latest merch capsule is a nod to our limited release ‘Brewers B-Sides’ and the legends behind them. One of those legends - YH Head Brewer Jesse Searls was kind enough to take a break from all that hard graft he’s been telling us about, to have a ‘behind the music’ style yarn about all things B-Sides.
Oi Searlzy, what’s the Brewers B-Side series all about?
Brewers B-Sides are about the YH brew crew being able to flex their creative muscle. It's where every beer idea, no matter how weird, wacky and wonderful, is considered for the next slot. It's also about keeping YH relevant in the ultra-limited category. People forget that YH released over 20 different beers in its first year, and 100's more since then. So it's a way that we as an entire company and marketplace are able to remember where it all started!
The new B-Sides tee: Available now from our online store.
Who gets to contribute ideas and how do you determine what gets brewed?
No matter how new or junior a production team member is, all voices are equally heard when it comes to choosing the next idea. We generally talk about beer a lot as a team, and often discuss new beer styles and weird ideas during our weekly meeting. So I keep a bit of a hit list of ideas and concepts that we can draw on when needed. Usually, the final concept that is chosen for a B-Side takes elements from a few different people's ideas.
How does a brew graduate to a B-Side release?
There's no real rule here. We've had recipe ideas that we've sat on for years before they've graduated to B-Sides. Some ideas get R&D'd (research and development for the unfamiliar) on the pilot system multiple times and have still never quite made it. Then there have been ideas that are thought of on a whim that have been chosen. It really just comes down to what fits the next slot the best, which seasonality definitely affects.
The new B-Sides lid: Available now from our online store.
What’s your favourite B-Side beer to date and why?
I think that most of the Brewers would say that their favourite was the one that was their idea! There has been a lot of internal love for the sours we've done over the years, especially Sun Is Shining (Watermelon and Mandarin Sour). There was a huge sense of pride around the 10 Years Strong (Barrel Aged Red Ale) due to what it represented, but also just how incredible that beer was. It was so complicated to make, and is one of those beers that you would never be able to repeat 100% the same again. So it was unique, and historic to be part of.
If it were up to you, what would the next B-Side be? And what would you name it?
I personally would love for the next B-Side to be innovative and challenging to make. We've really been able to push our equipment to the limit over the years, and have learnt a lot about exactly what we're collectively capable of when we put our minds to it.
There's not a huge amount of structure to the naming process, and the names of the B-Sides often change multiple times throughout the lifetime of the project! Generally amongst the team, there is a wide spectrum of what beer styles people are really into. There are some hazy heads, some crispy boi enthusiasts, and some Trad Euro fans, so there'd be a bunch of different opinions I'm sure.
YH Brewers shot by: Yeah Rad
What’s your favourite B-Side song of all time?
It's absolutely gotta be Runnin' With The Devil by Van Halen for our Rum and Raisin Brown Ale (Rummin' With The Devil) we did back in 2019. Van Halen are one of my favourite bands, and that pick slide Eddie does leading into the opening riff of RWTD always gives me goosebumps.
That beer was such a good example of the Brewer's B-Sides. The idea for it came out of the first kick-off meeting when our youngest and least experienced brewer at the time, Harrison, said "how about a rum and raisin brown ale?" and everyone just looked at each other in silence and slowly started nodding. Everything about that project fell into place so perfectly, and it was a killer beer! The song just fits so well too.
Certified banger!
Shop the B-Sides merch capsule AND our latest B-Side: Wattleseed and Blood Orange Double IPA (Wattle They Think Of Next) online now.
