The Sip #49 and #50 - Nail's double
Long-time beer drinker and The Sip editor Ross Lewis puts some of Australia's top drops to the test.
Catch up with other beers on The Sip Archive
Jamie Stranger returned to Perth this week and discovered he was the toast of WA brewing.
Much of the local beer industry wouldn’t know the lawyer now based in Hong Kong.
However, his picture and, indirectly his influence on one of the State’s hop heroes, now features on the latest in Nail Brewing’s range of specialty drinks.
Nail’s mastermind, John Stallwood, designed his Brew Log series to recognise the significant people in his outstanding career.
The fifth instalment is in honour of Stranger, better known to Stallwood as Wombat, who gave Nail great assistance at a time of need.
Ten years ago Stallwood was badly hurt in an altercation in Fremantle. He spent nine months in hospital and there was the prospect he could lose his micro-brewery.
But Stranger came to his mate’s aid, using his legal skills to help Stallwood access funds from victims of crime. Yet he also offered emotional support with a trip to Asia to help his mind recuperate from the trauma.
“He was one of my best mates when I was down,” Stallwood told The Sip as he held up the Hefeweizen he named Wombat Wheat. A photo of Wombat Stranger, who has known Stallwood for 30 years, appears on the bottle.
“Wombat helped me out so much he became some I could rely on.
“I won’t make much money as a brewer but it is great to be able to recognise people that mean a lot. It makes me feel good.”
Stallwood has praised brewing mentor Hugh Dunn (Brown Ale), his son Clayden Brew (Imperial Porter), his sister and her Burns family (Rauchbier) and supportive businessman Maurice Brockwell (Red Ale) in his earlier Brew Log releases.
The Brockwell Brewedwell has been so well received Nail are making it a regular production, with a return in four packs.
Wombat Wheat was produced as Hefeweizen to co-incide with the Octoberfest celebrations.
And it is a remarkably refreshing beer for the warmer months, too.
The waft of banana emerges from the opening of the bottle. And the fruit continues in the taste as the yeast becomes discernible.
There is little bitterness but the Hallertauer hops add to the flavour.
However, it isn’t the only recent release from the Nail factory in Bassendean.
Beazle Brew has also hit the market and it is significantly different from the Wombat Wheat.
An American style Amber Ale, Beazle Brew is impacted by the Chinook hops that give the beer a citrus kick.
There was a fair bit of dry hopping with the drop, too.
After a couple of sips the caramel and biscuit undertone shines through before a bitter kick as the beer goes down the throat.
Beazle Brew, too, was made for a reason.
Stallwood wanted to mark the passing of Daniel Bell, whose passion for the guitar is reflected on the label.
Bell is the son of the owners of the Heron Tower Beverages distribution family that helps to market Nail beers around the country. He tragically passed away a year ago.
So when you get the chance to have a Wombat Wheat or a Beazle Brew raise the glass in the knowledge that there was plenty of passion and love applied in the making to herald two important individuals.
The Sip Snip
Wombat Wheat
Brewer: Nail Brewing, Bassendean WA
Style: Hefeweizen
Alcohol content: 5.2%
Standard drinks: 1.3
Bitterness: 13IBU
Bottles: 330ml
Estimated calories: 160
The Sip Tip (rating): Top shelf
Average prices: $6.50 for 330ml bottle.
The Sip Snip
Beazle Brew
Brewer: Nail Brewing, Bassendean WA
Style: American Amber Ale
Alcohol content: 5%
Standard drinks: 1.3
Bitterness: 39IBU
Bottles: 330ml
Estimated calories: 150
The Sip Tip (rating): Straight to the pool room
Average prices: $6.50 for 330ml bottle.
