Science, Made Tasty.

Beer Geek Wednesday

Beer Geek Wednesday is our Head Brewer Mark Howes’ weekly excursion into the science, history and occasional absurdity behind beer. From hops, malt and fermentation to flavour perception, brewing chemistry and whatever obscure technical rabbit hole he’s disappeared down this week, no subject is too nerdy and no detail too insignificant.

Some weeks it’s practical. Some weeks it’s historical. Some weeks you’ll learn considerably more about yeast metabolism than you ever intended.

Street Trash: Brewing Spontaneous Beer in Brisbane

Street Trash: Brewing Spontaneous Beer in Brisbane

See how we brew spontaneous beer in Brisbane using an open koelschip, wild local microbes and traditional methods inspired by Belgian lambic.
The Place Beyond the Pines: Brewing Beer with Australian Pine

The Place Beyond the Pines: Brewing Beer with Australian Pine

Discover how sustainably harvested Australian pine tips, toasted timber and native flavours shaped The Place Beyond the Pines farmhouse ale.
How Hard Soda Is Made: From Malt Base to Finished Drink

How Hard Soda Is Made: From Malt Base to Finished Drink

Explore the many ways hard soda and hard seltzer are made, including our fermented malt-base approach to creating clean, fruit-forward drinks.
Coffee Beer: Finding the Best Way to Add Coffee

Coffee Beer: Finding the Best Way to Add Coffee

Explore different methods for adding coffee to beer and how a cold-batched Kenyan coffee from Bear Bones delivered clean, integrated aromatics.
Manilita Hops: Gummy Candy, Red Berries and Citrus

Manilita Hops: Gummy Candy, Red Berries and Citrus

Meet Manilita, a new hop from Freestyle Hops with gummy candy, red berry and citrus character, and explore the hop oils behind its aroma.
Dark Malts: Choosing Roast, Chocolate and Black Malt

Dark Malts: Choosing Roast, Chocolate and Black Malt

Explore the different types of dark malt and how roast level shapes beer colour, aroma, acidity, bitterness, mouthfeel and flavour.
How Oats Create Softness and Haze in Beer

How Oats Create Softness and Haze in Beer

Explore how rolled oats, proteins and brewing technique create the softness, body and stable haze prized in modern Hazy Pale Ales and IPAs.
Yeast Nutrition: Why Nitrogen Matters in Fermentation

Yeast Nutrition: Why Nitrogen Matters in Fermentation

Discover why yeast needs nitrogen, how brewers measure free amino nitrogen in wort and when nutrient additions help support a healthy fermentation.
Dry Hopping: How It Changes Beer Aroma and Bitterness

Dry Hopping: How It Changes Beer Aroma and Bitterness

Explore how dry-hop timing, temperature and concentration influence hop aroma, biotransformation and the perceived bitterness of beer.