GABS Brewer: Shawn Sherlock from Foghorn Brewhouse

What sort of beer are you making for GABS?
We are making a Belgian inspired Extra Stout brewed with raisins.

What’s it called?
Dubbel Raisin Extra Stout.

Where did the inspiration come from?
I love stouts, I love brewing with Belgian yeasts and I really love what raisins contribute to darker beers. I’ve brewed a few beers with raisins over the years, usually spiced brews as well, but never a stout and never using a Belgian yeast as well. GABS is always a great opportunity to experiment a little and it is timed perfectly for launching big dark brews for winter. Our No Sleep ’til Nelson Imperial Stout from last year’s GABS really did well for us both at the festival and at our two venues afterwards. Dubbel Raisin Extra Stout should hopefully add to the level of dark beer awesomeness across the winter.

What’s the weirdest ingredient you’ve ever added to a beer?
Probably the Mussels and Oysters we added in copious quantities to The Auld Bulgin’ Boysterous Bicep I brewed with James from Crafty Pint a few years ago. They were damn tasty – if bitter – after the whirlpool… Ham hocks were also pretty weird in a brew from a few years back…

GABS drinking preference – tasting paddles or a full glass?
I like the full glass rather than the paddles. Hard to get the full experience without a glass!

The Great Australasian Beer Spectapular is on May 19-21 at the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton, Victoria, May 27 at Sydney Showground Olympic Park, NSW and June 16-17 at ASB Showgrounds, Greenlane, Auckland.