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.

American Stout: Roasted Malt Meets West Coast Hops

American Stout: Roasted Malt Meets West Coast Hops

Explore the American Stout style, where dark roasted malt, chocolate and coffee flavours collide with bold citrus, pine and resinous hops.
How Seasonal Honey Changes the Flavour of Mead

How Seasonal Honey Changes the Flavour of Mead

Discover how flowering plants, seasons and Brisbane terroir change the composition and flavour of honey - and the mead fermented from it.
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.
Capsaicin: The Science Behind Chilli Heat in Beer

Capsaicin: The Science Behind Chilli Heat in Beer

Explore how capsaicin creates the sensation of chilli heat, why water cannot wash it away and how brewers extract and balance it in beer.
Belgian Blonde Ale: Yeast, Esters and a Deceptively Dry Finish

Belgian Blonde Ale: Yeast, Esters and a Deceptively Dry Finish

Discover what defines Belgian Blonde Ale, from expressive yeast and fruity esters to high attenuation, gentle sweetness and a dry finish.
Using Sinamar to Brew a Better Black IPA

Using Sinamar to Brew a Better Black IPA

Explore how Sinamar adds colour with minimal roast flavour, helping brewers build a dark Black IPA that still lets pine, citrus and resinous hops shine.
Foeder-Aged Festbier: Lagering Beer in Oak

Foeder-Aged Festbier: Lagering Beer in Oak

See how we seasoned our oak foeder with a traditional Festbier, combining extended lagering, gentle oak character and classic German malt flavours.
Fresh Hop Beer: Brewing with Hops Straight from the Farm

Fresh Hop Beer: Brewing with Hops Straight from the Farm

Discover how fresh hops change from harvest to brewery, why timing matters and what undried whole cones contribute to the finished beer.
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.