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Former ICU nurse Steve Ryan opens Union Brewery and Distillery in Fremantle

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Simon CollinsThe West Australian
Union Brewery and Distillery’s Steve Ryan at the Sunshine Harvester Works in Fremantle.
Camera IconUnion Brewery and Distillery’s Steve Ryan at the Sunshine Harvester Works in Fremantle.

After working in the Intensive Care Unit of Prince Margaret Hospital for Children for 26 years, Steve Ryan accumulated skills he’s applying to brewing.

“Attention to detail, and documentation,” he says, adding that a knowledge of microbiology means he’s avoided cross contamination and has never had to dump a brew.

Ryan has distilled whisky under the name Geographe Distillery at Myalup’s Old Coast Road Brewery for more than a decade and recently took over brewing from owner Andrew Harris.

While the self-taught brewer is still pumping out beers for the 20 taps at Harris’ Parade Taphouse in Bunbury, Ryan’s brews and spirits will also be available at Union Brewery and Distillery.

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There are 12 taps pouring beer and cider at Union Brewery and Distillery.
Camera IconThere are 12 taps pouring beer and cider at Union Brewery and Distillery.

The “cobbled together” bar, which cost Ryan $3000 to make (including labour), is located in the Sunshine Harvester Works at at 1 James Street, Fremantle.

Union has 12 taps, two of which pour cider. Brews range from a clean, dry pilsner to the barrel-aged Belgian tripel and dubbel — both remarkably refreshing and fruity despite being boozy.

Ryan also offers a mid-strength lager and deliciously roasty American Amber, plus the popular pale ale, IPA and stout.

On the distilling side, there is whisky, gin, limoncello and, soon, grappa.

The Sunshine Harvester Works is open from Thursday to Sunday, 5-10pm.

Feral Brewing Co.’s new oaked pale ale, BFH.
Camera IconFeral Brewing Co.’s new oaked pale ale, BFH.

FERAL ROLLS OUT THE BARREL

“BFH is just Hop Hog with oak,” says Feral Brewing Co’s product development brewer and geese enthusiast Will Irving.

BFH, or barrel-fermented Hop Hog, is also loaded with vanilla, thanks to the use of French oak staves and chips.

When Feral first made this canny brew nine years ago, the beer would go into barrels for primary fermentation for 10 days. However oxidisation and then an infected batch, which resulted in the brewers turfing two barrels worth $1500 each, means staves and chips are now used.

“The chips ended up being better for the beer as we could control the amount of oak infused without having to blend it out and a reduction in the oxidation issue, so win-win,” Irving explains.

BFH is just Hop Hog with oak.

Will Irving

“It seems to round out the edges of the bitterness and make everything a little smoother, even though it’s the same recipe.”

BFH is in cans now and pours even smoother on tap.

AWESOME FOURSOME GOING NOWHERE

Nowhereman Brewing Co is on a roll. This month the West Leederville microbrewery unveils four new beers, including the Hazy Susan IPA which is its fifth IPA hop, I mean, hot on the heels of fruity 7 per cent-er Feel Good Summer IPA.

Hazy Susan is jam-packed with Strata, a new hop variety straight outta Oregon that offers dank aromas and juicy tropical fruit flavours, a dry, bitter finish. Only available on tap at Nowhereman and 15 crafty Perth venues.

The busy brewers have also canned Subterranean Session Ale, their dry-finishing 4.1 per cent collaboration with city noshery Lalla Rookh, and done another run of Rhapsody XPA tins.

Nowhereman Brewing Co.’s Berries On Parade is their fourth new brew launched in February.
Camera IconNowhereman Brewing Co.’s Berries On Parade is their fourth new brew launched in February.

The fourth new beer is Berries On Parade, a 4 per cent sour loaded with cranberries, blackcurrants and boysenberries which launches tomorrow at Nowhereman. Not hugely sour and very smashable BOP looks like guava juice.

And the name? Owner Reece Wheadon really hopes Rage Against the Machine tour soon.

OOBIE DOOBIE, CRAFT IN SUBI

After Rocky Ridge Subiaco started pouring eight taps and selling takeaways (including Rock Juice v6) from the second bar at the Vic on Friday, True Brew hears another top WA brewer is looking at opening a venue in Subi.

Sounds like the former home of football could became Perth craft central (well, after Freo, of course).

A highlight of Rocky Ridge’s industry night on February 13 was brewer Ricky Watt opening a highly carbonated bottle of Fermentarium No. 1.

The brew was bloody delicious but answered the question of why the first version of the collab with Bright Tank will never be commercially released.

Watts’ face tells the story...

Ricky Watt shortly after opening a bottle of Rocky Ridge and Bright Tank’s Fermentarium No. 1.
Camera IconRicky Watt shortly after opening a bottle of Rocky Ridge and Bright Tank’s Fermentarium No. 1. Credit: Simon Collins

DINGO LAGER UNLEASHED

A familiar logo should pop up on taps around town next month as Dingo Brewing Co. unleash their Dingo Lager. Cans should follow in April.

The iconic Dingo Four logo will be popping up on a new beer soon.
Camera IconThe iconic Dingo Four logo will be popping up on a new beer soon.

The brewer, which has acquired the famous Dingo Flour trademark for beer, has a strong connection to WA farming and plans to use predominantly local malt and only Australian hops.

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