Green tea and beer. Weird combination, right? Well, two of the country’s top craft beer producers, Young Henry’s from Newtown and Two Birds Brewing from Melbourne, have collaborated with Newtown tea purveyors Perfect South to create a new beer called Otaku, set to be launched as part of Sydney Craft Beer Week (October 20–28).
The idea came about on a recent trip to Melbourne, where the Young Henry’s and Two Birds crews – both big fans of Japanese food – decided to create something special for Sydney Craft Beer Week. Young Henrys brought friends and fellow Newtown residents Perfect South into the mix and the rest is history.
Otaku, a Japanese term used to refer to people with obsessive interests, was inspired by the producers’ drive to create a beer with a greater ‘umami’ or savoury taste. Different types of seaweed and roasted Houjicha green tea were added to the beer making process, creating a savoury, nutty flavour.
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SIGN UPAccording to Young Henry’s director Richard Adamson, the resulting drink is “an intriguing, yet balanced beer that accompanies Asian food perfectly”.
“There is evidence of tea in the beer, but it’s not overpowering.”
The new beer will be launched this Wednesday (October 24) at the Royal Albert Hotel in Surry Hills, where punters will get the chance chat to the brewers and taste the beer with dumplings and Japanese desserts.
The Otaku will be available at the Royal Albert Hotel throughout Sydney Craft Beer Week and from the Young Henry’s cellar door in Newtown.
Royal Albert Hotel
140 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills
sydneycraftbeerweek.com
Young Henrys
Units D&E, 76 Wilford Street, Newtown
younghenrys.com