Beerfarm is a microbrewery from Metricup, Western Australia, which makes a wide range of brews, from lagers to IPAs, sours, saisons, cask ale and even apple cider. Founded in 2015 by a group of five self-described misfits - George, Ian, Craig, Ben, and Josh - Beerfarm transformed an old dairy farm, converting a hay shed into a cosy tavern and establishing a microbrewery in what was once a round house. The early years saw the five founders working hands-on, juggling roles from bartending and venue management to cooking and table service.

At the core of Beerfarm's ethos is a deep commitment to sustainability and conservation. The brewery implemented solar panels and recycles water used from the beer brewing process. Spent grain from brewing is also fed to the Black Angus cattle that graze the surrounding paddocks, a testament to their commitment to circular economy principles.

One of the most interesting projects is their Native Series of beers that pays homage to the indigenous ingredients and stories of Australia. This series is a collaboration with Fervor, a high-end roving pop-up restaurant known for its focus on native Australian ingredients. The mission is to educate Australians about the sustainable use of indigenous ingredients and celebrating the cultural significance of these native crops to Australia’s First Nations Peoples. It’s also a creative way to build a bridge between traditional indigenous knowledge and contemporary craft brewing techniques.

We’re tasting the 9 ^th edition in the Native Series which brings spotlight to the Boab fruit and Nyul Nyul Aboriginal custodian Robert Dann. The Nyul Nyul people are one of the indigenous groups of Australia located primarily in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. A “Nyul Nyul custodian” is a member of the Nyul Nyul community who holds traditional responsibilities for caring for their land, waterways, and cultural heritage. This includes conducting cultural ceremonies, preserving sacred sites, and passing on language, stories, and knowledge to younger generations.

Bet you didn’t expect to learn so much about native Australian culture from a beer review!

Now, the Australian Boab Tree is iconic tree native to the Kimberley region. It is known for its unusual bottle-shaped trunk and large, swollen base, which can store vast quantities of water, allowing it to survive the arid conditions of its environment. Indigenous Australians like the Nyul Nyul have used the Boab for food, medicine, and materials for centuries. The nut of the tree, or the Boab But can be eaten raw or roasted.

Beerfarm’s Native Series 9 Boab Nut Brown Ale is a twist on the brown ale with the inclusion of the Boab nut, with its slightly tangy and nutty flavour.

Let’s give this a taste.

Beerfarm, Native Series 9 – Boab Nut Brown Ale, 5% ABV – Review

Nose: Sweet, roasty, rich and malty, reminiscent of an amber ale. It carries a blend of caramel and citrus, underpinned by a mildly umami character akin to the dark fermented essence of Chinese sweet sauce (甜酱) – the sort commonly used in spring rolls or popiah. The malty backbone is quite prominent, setting a robust stage for the nose.

Palate: Initial taste has the lighter, fresher aspect of a classic amber, albeit with a more muted intensity with a good balance. Opens with plenty of citrus, notably sweet grapefruit with a just as present light roasted malt character, developing into caramel, toffee and milk coffee and culminating in a Werther’s Original-like salted caramel sweetness. There’s a bit of spiced nuts too.

The roasted character is distinct but its bitterness is balanced by the citrus.

Finish: Medium length, with a transition towards more aromatic coffee, joined by a dry lager-like character.

My Thoughts:

This makes for a decent, well-balanced brown ale that leans towards a lighter amber ale style. The palate is fairly satisfying and well-balanced. The most standout feature for me would be the aromatic coffee finish right at the end, which elevates this above some of the common black ale or black lager offerings such as Guinness foreign stout or Asahi Black.

The only thing that leaves me curious is that the influence of the Boab Nut remains elusive to me. I haven’t even eaten a Boab Nut before. This would receive an even higher score if they packed a sachet of Boab Nut to accompany each can.

Overall, it's a decent and balanced amber with a broad appeal.

My Rating: 7/10

For Singaporean readers, this beer is available on Thirsty.com! Search “Boab Nut Brown Ale” to locate this product.

@CharsiuCharlie