Aust, launches wheat beer

Press, 27 July 1988, Page 28

Aust, launches wheat beer

By JOHN CALLAN NZPA Sydney A Brisbane brewery has launched the world’s first 100 per cent wheat beer. The crisp-tasting ale, which is so new it is yet to be named, was launched at World Expo 88, Of the 1000 people who tasted free samples at the launch, only one did not like it, according to its brewer, Mr Graham Howard. Mr Howard said the new ale was prompted by a newspaper article he read two years ago.

“It said we needed to sell more wheat, so I decided to make a 100 per cent wheat beer.”

Breweries had made wheat ales before, but noone had persevered to the commercial stage, he said.

The Australian Wheat Board has backed the development, saying that if consumer response is positive, it could represent a significant breakthrough for wheat sales. “I presented three different wheat beers to the board and as a result we are now in production,” Mr Howard told NZPA.

Mr Howard’s boutique brewery, Brewhouse Operations Australia, Ltd, makes 1600 litres a week of the wheat ale.

Though only available

. in Queensland, it will soon be on tap in New South Wales hotels. “I wanted to show the bigger breweries that a wheat beer can be commercially viable. “We expect that we won’t be able to keep up with demand, so we are keen to interest other breweries in making it under licence.” Within two hours of the Expo launch Mr Howard said he received inquiries from a Chinese company wanting to manufacture and sell the ale;

Though no New Zealand breweries had contacted him, he would welcome their interest, he said.'

The ale, which is 5.6 per cent alcohol by volume, is made from hop cones, purified water, sugar, wheat and yeast. It contains no artificial additives and is hot pasteurised. “The Wheat Board has described it as the champagne of beers so we’re insisting that it be drunk from a champagne flute.” Mr Howard was particularly pleased at the large number of women who said they liked the ale.

Meanwhile, Brewhouse has a competition under way to help choose an appropriate brand name for the beer.