GABS Brewer 2014: Tim Thomas from HopDog BeerWorks in Nowra, NSW

What beer are you making for GABS?
We’re brewing a – get ready for it – Brettanomyces-infected shiraz barrel aged blood orange saison.

Does it have a name yet?
Yes, it’s ‘‘Brett the Bloody Orange’’

Where did the inspiration come from?
Not sure really. As per usual it was probably another have a couple of beers and brainstorm it out. This is actually our third idea we came up with. The first two will be brewed at a later date, but were deemed not ready yet for GABS. The idea may have come from a ‘‘what the hell can we put in a barrel that’s gonna freak out people?’’ Or just the craziest blend of awesome ever seen.

Do you think it’ll be a one-off or are you considering adding it to the range after GABS?
This will probably only be a one-off, and a couple of batches post GABS.

What do you think of the concept of GABS?
I love it. I think I’ve said it before: I think it pushes a brewer to think ‘‘what one-off beer can I do that will really test my skills as a brewer? What can I brew that I’ve always wanted to, but never had the time or place to brew it?’’ I also think that GABS is the perfect forum to get recognised with your beers. You’ve got a captive audience who’ve come to the event for awesome one-off beers that they may never try again, and it’s the perfect time to stand up with a placard and scream ‘‘check this shit out!’’

The Great Australasian Beer Spectapular (aka GABS) is on in Melbourne on May 23-25, 2014.