Among the messages brewers try to hammer home, the one you probably see and hear more than any other is that of “Fresh is best.” Sure, it’s not the case with all beers; many darker, higher ABV or sour beers develop over time, variously mellowing, improving or gaining complexity. On the other hand, hop driven beers, such as pale ales, IPAs and lagers, should be drunk as fresh as possible to ensure the drinker enjoys them in their best possible condition – straight from a serving tank in an ideal world.
Perhaps best known in the local craft beer scene for the fresh beer mantra is Feral and its bi-annual Tusk Day, upon which the WA brewery kegs its now 11.8 percent ABV imperial IPA and sends it as quickly as possible, refrigerated, to venues who are under instructions to tap theirs instantly.
Taking up the gauntlet this week were Jason Harris and Craig Basford, the founders of Adelaide’s Big Shed Brewing Concern, who believe that, even as little as seven days after leaving the brewery, beer can no longer be classified as "brewery fresh”.
Which is why they have just completed an epic 1,400km adventure across state lines, all in the pursuit of hoppiness. The journey, aptly named "Fresh As F*ck", involved a midnight start and a very fast road trip (all while obeying the law, of course) into Blues territory; a Cannonball Run of sorts, albeit with less buxom women in Lamborghinis and rather more facial hair and servo sunnies.
The adventure was the culmination of the "Fresh as Phuck" event that was held at Sydney bar Bitter Phew throughout May, where pouring beers as fresh as possible was the name of the game. For obvious reasons, it was predominantly Sydney brewing companies taking part, as bar owner Aaron Edwards wanted to tap these hoppy drops within two days of them leaving the brewery.
However, after Jason and Craig’s Sydney distributor mentioned the idea to them and told them they would most likely not be able to participate due to location, their egos – and love of a bit of mischief – took over and they accepted the challenge.
“I believe that this is a really good initiative," says Craig. "For someone to promote the freshest possible beer they can get their hands on, for a whole month, and then to showcase just how good a hop forward beer can be when it is kegged straight from the brewery and into the drinker’s hands.”
His trek started at midnight at Big Shed's Royal Park brewery, where the fearless duo filled one of their kegs full of their hop driven West Coast IPA, the Californicator. The keg was thrown in the car (wrapped in ice, of course, in a spot of DIY refrigerated transport) and they departed the car park 40 minutes later. After two hours, they had cruised past Peake and by the three hour mark they had crossed the border into Victoria. There were a few check ins at pubs along the way, including those in Murrayville, Underbool and Balranald but no beer was consumed; after all, like a lupulin-obsessed version of the Elwood brothers, they were on a mission from hops.
The gents were in high spirits for the entire trip and apparently passed the time by “telling each other fart and poo jokes,” according to Craig, who went on to say that they also “discussed the philosophy of the Middle East” to maintain balance.
The only stops were food, caffeine and fashion related: they ended the trip with some stylish new (truck stop edition) sunglasses. By the 11 hour mark, things were still fairly relaxed in the car as they had now hit the freeway, which, according to Jason, “made life a lot easier.” The keg was still sitting in the back, fresh as, and still on ice.
After one final pit stop on the outskirts of Sydney and a slight delay caused by a fight with Sydney’s peak hour traffic, their precious cargo arrived at Bitter Phew just 15 hours and nine minutes after the keg was filled. Jason and Aaron hoisted the keg up the stairs and hooked it straight onto a tap where thirsty punters were waiting and welcomed them with applause.
“It’s happy days!” were the only words Craig could conjure when asked how it was tasting. He went on to say that that the journey was a great success: “We’ve been having a laugh and taking the piss out of each other for 15 hours and now we are in a kick ass venue in Sydney drinking beer.”
For all the fun and games along the way, it’s a sign of just how seriously Jason and Craig take freshness in their beer. Their adventures can be relived through the Big Shed Facebook page, where videos were posted throughout the whole tour.
With the challenge successfully completed – and the bar raised when it comes to hammering home the “Fresh is best” message – they’ve said they're happy to accept further challenges. All in the pursuit of hoppiness, of course.
Matt King is a beer-loving sports nut who dabbles in homebrewing and writes about beer to seek solace from his full-time job as a primary school teacher.
The beer(s) or moment(s) that turned you on to good beer:
My good beer experience began in London, when I was taking a tour of the Greenwich Meantime Brewery in 2010. All the ingredients were laid out in front of me and we were able to eat the malts and smell the fresh hops; the fresh beer out of the tanks probably helped as well. This is the moment I realised "beer can be better", opening my mind to all the possibilities.
I then began exploring London for all the great beer spots and ticking off beers from smaller breweries; it was mind blowing. On my return to Australia, I continued to explore, starting where a lot of people started, with Stone and Wood Pacific Ale.
You've got three beers to turn someone else on to good beer; what are they and why?
There needs to be a good cross-section of styles when doing this, I believe; you never know what beer will be the hook. I would come armed with a tropical pale ale, an IPA that is on the sweeter/sticky side (not one that is too bitter) and probably an oatmeal stout.
The last beer you enjoyed:
The last beers I had came from The Wheaty and all of their beers are always great.
Name three things that represent you.
- Very long road trips
- Watching and playing any sport
- Beer, beer, beer, beer.
