Beer Newstead Brewing Westerlies Black Lager

Amid the punishing schedule of one-offs, collabs and experiments to which they treat their brewpub setup, Newstead Brewing always finds room for four seasonal lagers each year. So, as winter 2016 opens across Australia in quite ferocious manner, it's time for their latest.

Suiting the mood of many who've suffered at the hands of the weather since the start of June, it's black, with brewer Mark Howes taking inspiration from the Schwarzbiers of Germany this time around. Thus, alongside the pilsner, crystal and biscuit malts that lend the beer its colour and "toasty flavours and hints of coffee and chocolate" he opted for a couple of German hops, Magnum and the classic lager variety Hallertau. He reckons they add "spice and mint" to his modern interpretation of an old European style, which is available in a limited run of kegs only.

NB We've nabbed a keg of this to pour for Crafty Cabal members at the Brisbane launch on June 25 – details here.