Try our super limited 'Demo Batch' brews at the YH Tasting Bar
Brewer Bert and Tasting Bar Manager Rosco with our NEW Demo Batch tap.
When they’re not brewing your YH favourites, our brew team have been known to whip up the occasional passion project. Historically, a lot of these beers rarely found their way to the lips of anyone outside the brewery walls. But with a newly polished small batch system, we’re stoked to reveal that drinkers now have the opportunity to taste these super limited fruits of our brewers’ wild minds via our Newtown Tasting Bar, with our new ‘Demo Batch’ series.
Brewed on our 50L pilot system and unbound by style, YH Demo Batch brews are single keg beers developed by a member of the YH brew team. According to YH Head Brewer Searlzy, the series has a pretty epic role in not only letting the brewers flex their individuality, but potentially, shaping the future of the YH offering.
”All of our core range beers were borne of a one off limited beer at some point in the past. We've always believed that if something is a good idea and it works, that there shouldn't be a reason that it can't evolve into something much bigger. The Demo Tapes will not only give us real time feedback from the Tasting Bar, but will also give a chance for all our brewers to brew what could one day become the next YH core range sku. I think that is a really exciting prospect. “ - Searlzy
Launching the series, we have our senior brewer Ben Wilson (Bert to us) and his take on a classic Hefeweizen named Hefe way to Helles. To learn a bit more about the man himself and his lucky numero uno Demo Batch beer, we caught up for a yarn. Read below.
YH: G’day Bert, tell us a bit about yourself and how you found your way into brewing?
BW: G’day! Well, having studied science at Uni, I decided to do the unheard-of move to London and work in hospitality for a ‘holiday’, well 5 years later and lengthy stop in Berlin lead me back to Sydney where I thought I’d combine my studies, travels and love for beer into a new career move.
YH: How long have you been at YH?
BW: Just ticked over my 4 years.
YH: What's the best thing about being a YH brewer?
BW: No two days are the same! Brewing is a nice mix of science and labour, which sure beats sitting behind a desk. Not too many people can say that their job is a hobby and I guess it has a few other perks too.
YH: Tell us about your Demo Batch brew. What is it?
BW: It’s a modern take on a classic German Hefeweizen. Fun fact about Hefeweizens; as they contain wheat they were forbidden in Germany under the strict Reinheitsgebot law in 1516. But due to their popularity amongst the royals it was the first style to receive and exemption!
YH: Where'd the idea come from?
BW: Having lived in Germany for a few years, a nice ‘Feierabend’ Hefeweizen was almost a daily ritual. So with that craving I decided I’d try and make my own.
YH: What's in it and what can drinkers expect?
BW: Hefe’s are the OG hazys! Given its half made of wheat, it’s full bodied and full of nice yeast produced aromas of banana and clove.
YH: What are you working on next? OR what do you want to work on next?
BW: I’ve been playing around with some new exciting hop varieties and yeast strains so we’ll see what’s on the horizon.
YH: Finally, give us 3 songs you love blaring on the brew deck.
BW: Music on brew deck is key to creating a good vibe, so you’ll generally catch me mashin’ away to a mix of Foals, Jungle or some classic INXS.
-
Find Bert’s Hefe way to Helles on tap in the Young Henrys Tasting Bar from Friday July 7, and follow @younghenrystastingbar on Instagram to keep up to date with all the new releases in the Demo Tape series.