GABS Brewer: Caolan Vaughn head brewer at Stone & Wood

What sort of beer are you making for GABS?
This year we have brewed two beers for GABS… the first which will be available at the GABS bars is an imperial Gose and the one we will be serving on our stand is a Scotch Ale using scotch-soaked wood chips and dried figs.

What’s it called?
Imperial Gose: Salty Sour East (ie.South East)
The Scotch Ale is called the Hinterland Ale

Where did the inspiration come from? 
Imperial Gose: We wanted to create a beer that pays tribute to our salty location on the most Eastern tip of Australia and the predominant on the East Coast of Australia are South East. We’ve used Pacific Ocean sea salt.
The Hinterland Ale plays on our backyard of the Northern Rivers’ green rolling hills compared to the highlands of Scotland. This beer was created by a crew of our team, who came together from different parts of the business to brew a beer that would draw inspiration on the change of season in Melbourne.

What’s the weirdest ingredient you’ve ever added to a beer?
Dried figs and Pacific Ocean sea salt.

GABS drinking preference – tasting paddles or a full glass?
Tasting paddle, not because you couldn’t drink a whole glass but because there are so many great beers to try!

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.