Even for followers of Western Australia’s brewing scene the realisation that Gage Roads is celebrating 20 years of brewing is a bit of a time-flies moment. Over the past two decades, they’ve become more than just a name on the taps at your local or a must-grab at the bottlo – now entwined with how, where and what we drink in the west. Watching a container ship slip out of port as you sink a Single Fin at its A-Shed outpost is a quintessential Fremantle experience, as is clutching a Side Track at Optus Stadium while barracking for your team.
Joining the party in celebration is Huey Coastal Lager as part of Gage Roads’ year-round line-up. “The journey for Huey was a nostalgic look back to the first beer we released which was also a lager,” says Aaron Heary, Executive Director of Gage Roads. The task at hand in bringing this new brew into the core range was to focus on the building blocks for beers from Gage Roads – natural ingredients and a high-quality process. The desired outcome was a session beer and there’s no doubt that the brief has been nailed. In large part due to the brewing team being “fussy bastards.”
Huey is lagered (an extended maturation process at near freezing temp) for longer than average delivering added crispness. That extra time also rounds out the flavour and body for an easy drinking mid-strength lager without compromise. Development was drawn out, taking over two years to go from the spark of an idea to punters getting a taste. The thought was to “go head on into the contemporary lager space again,” says Heary. “Huey was born because we wanted to create a sessionable beer that tasted great with all natural ingredients.”
On that last point, it’s brewed using real Saaz hops, all Aussie malted barley, and has no added sugar, additives, preservatives or Tetra hops. You might be asking “Tetra whats?” so here’s the science bit. Tetrahydroiso-alpha acids (THIAA) are a modified hop extract used by brewers for a number of reasons – from boosting beer foam and adding bitterness, to protecting against skunking, when UV light causes hop compounds to break down. While they offer several benefits their inclusion doesn’t really give that natural vibe and for Gage Roads, the more natural approach is integral to what their drinkers expect from them.
Positioned outside of “accessible craft” where the rest of the Gage Roads range sits – think crowd pleasers Single Fin, Side Track and Hazy As – Huey is an opportunity to broaden the brewers’ reach and, to talk technical for a second, unlock incremental volume. At 3.8% ABV it’s still in a mid-strength territory but the extra .3% compared to a standard mid gives it a more full-bodied taste. That extra time in the lagering process is much longer than a standard clear glass lager and is all about the end product, to get the ultra-crisp taste just right.
Gage Roads has always been about Australia’s love for the coastal lifestyle, most beers having some coastal connection in their name or design. “We loved the name ‘Huey’ because it references the almighty weather god who you pray to for great waves, calm fishing waters or for rain,” says Heary. “As we were building the brand, I met and spoke to the boys at The Mad Hueys, and the partnership was formed and has been steam rolling ahead ever since. The Mad Hueys live by their ethos of surf, fish and party so we could not have dreamed of better partners.”
“This whole thing hits close to home for us,” says Shaun Harrington of The Mad Hueys. “It’s about backing a homegrown Aussie business that shares our lifestyle, our values, and our energy. This is an opportunity to back a proper Aussie beer company in a tough, competitive market. This isn’t about slapping a logo on a stubby. It’s a chance to grow something real with a company that actually gives a shit.”
“After 20 years of brewing, we’re proud to be able to create and build a brewery that’s known for good local beers paired perfectly for enjoying the Aussie coastal lifestyle,” says Heary. “Whether you’re on the beach with sandy feet or throwing a line in off the back of a boat, Huey is the perfect beer for that coastal life we live and breathe. The all-natural profile of Huey as a beer really speaks to the story and journey of all Gage Roads beers.”
Find Huey Coastal Lager on tap at many of the state’s best pubs, as well as in leading WA independent bottleshops and WA Liquorland stores. Visit Gage Roads’ beer finder to locate your nearest venue, and follow them on social media to stay up to date with what’s coming next.