PRIMARY FLAVOURS

• Lemon
• Pine
• Bubblegum
• Crisp

Story

Like so many successful new brewing operations, when you dig below the surface, you find people who've already been there and done that.

For Precinct Brewing, the success in just five years of operation comes from the work of Scott Imlach and business partner Simone Tunbridge, who are behind a suite of Gold Coast's best restaurants and beer-focused bars, plus friend and former Stone & Wood brewer Jeremy James. Stir in the talents of builder and commercial fitout guy Michael Craighead alongside local accountant Tom Welch, and you've got quite a crew.

Indeed, it took much longer than expected for the fivesome to turn what was an old panelbeaters shop a stone's throw from the beach in Miami, into what is now a hotspot for Gold Coast beer lovers.

A big part of the recipe is also working out what people really want. As Jeremy explains, 'not everyone that walks into a brewpub these days is a beer nerd, so we really like having a welcoming beer'. That vibe has fuelled a range that proudly dips into more 'session-strength' beers that he makes for sitting around listening to music and enjoying the vibes.

We've picked one of the more hoppy brews from Precinct Brewing with this Pale Ale, though. Made using 'generous amounts' of American Cascade, Mosaic and Simcoe hops that are 'bombed into the whirlpool and a big ol’ single dry hop at the end of fermentation', this is a quite punchy Aussie Pale Ale style with plenty of charisma.

What we also like is the little interesting subtle aromatics of a style like this - there's a hint of bubblegum in among the piney tang, and then the sort of bitterness that makes every beer tangy and refreshing - perfect for a post-surf drink.

Specs

PAIRING GUIDE

When it comes to craft beer styles we simply can’t get enough of, a well-made pale ale is always going to reign supreme. Precinct Brewing certainly knows its way around a good hoppy beer, and this characterful release absolutely ticks all the right boxes when it comes to crisp flavours and lasting refreshment. As for food pairing – well, you can’t go wrong matching this beer with modern classics like southern fried chicken, pulled pork, pesto pasta with feta and tomatoes, or spicy Thai, Vietnamese or Indian curries. Japanese cuisine is a tried and tested go-to: Tonkatsu will work really well, yakitori skewers hit the high notes, and even sashimi with a punchy wasabi dip will taste fantastic here.

RECIPE MATCHES

• Chicken Pesto Burgers
• Prawn, Pesto and Penne Salad