GABS Brewer: Mark Howes from Newstead Brewing Company

What sort of beer are you making for GABS?
While we had many grand suggestions; Imperial Hammerhead, Inception Hammerhead, Hammerhead Lite and Hammerhead Lime we settled on something truely innovative for GABS, a strong pale ale. It’s Australia’s first NZ Fresh Hop XPA. We picked 40kg Fresh Motueka and Taiheke hops in Nelson and drove them up to Good George in Hamilton within 24 hours, using them in this collaboration XPA. Crazy arse beers are grouse, sometimes fresh, tasty beers can be grouse too.

What’s it called?
Hammerhead X.

Where did the inspiration come from?
Self loathing.

What’s the weirdest ingredient you’ve ever added to a beer?
Some might say cascara, macadamias, brewers sweat, cold pressed single origin yirgicheffe coffee, inner health plus capsules or lemon myrtle from the backyard and, while we have used all these things, I’d like to say self loathing.

GABS drinking preference – tasting paddles or a full glass?
You never go full retard.

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.