GABS Brewer 2017: Ty Capaci from Double Head Brewing

What sort of beer are you making for GABS?
We are making a version of the old English drink “purl”. It will be a robust porter infused with a selection of botanicals including the infamous wormwood.

What’s it called?
Black Purl

Where did the inspiration come from?
We love recreating historical styles – such as our Kottbusser for GABS 2016. Purl was renowned (perhaps infamously) in post-medieval England – so much so that it has been referenced by both Shakespeare and Dickens. It morphed into more of a cocktail in the 19th century, where it would regularly be a porter mixed with gin and sugar.

What’s the weirdest ingredient you’ve ever added to a beer?
That’s a hard question – what’s weird for some is not weird for others! I suppose I haven’t added anything overly crazy to a beer. Smoked oysters, bell peppers, spices, the usual suspects mainly.

GABS drinking preference – tasting paddles or a full glass?
I depends on what I’m doing during the session. If the aim is to taste all of the beers that catch my eye – then paddles are the obvious choice. If the aim is to catch up with friends, socialise and truly appreciate some of the amazing beers offered – then it has to be a full 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.