Time Out Sydney Hop Up – Young Henrys
World Square
Sydney, Australia
23 October 2017
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Ah, Young Henrys.
Young Henrys is the household name of Sydney craft breweries, an impressive feat for the staunchly independent brew house that has only been operating for four years.
These guys went from being one of Sydney's first in craft to a nationally celebrated company — and they somehow managed this feat without diluting their DNA.
The YH brews are not only well-represented across Sydney's craft brew pubs, but they are a regular facet of the beer scene across Australia — including loads of unassuming pubs that otherwise only have the likes of Tooheys (for the uninitiated: that’s the Australian equivalent of Pabst Blue Ribbon) and Carlton on draught. From launching their very own festival, to their endless artistic collaborations brewing band-specific beers, to sponsoring events – Young Henrys just seems to be omnipresent.
The story has worked out well for the Newtowners, who almost set up shop in Surry Hills.
Luckily, the space in Newtown saved YH from the lockout laws and also put them smack dab in the middle of an incredibly creative and likeminded community.
Part-brewery, part-gallery space, the tasting bar is a laidback (but always busy) hangout where music blares and beer's a-flowing.
Young Henrys' artistic collaboration game remains strong with the recent DZ Deathrays collaborative brew, Pils 'n' Thrills, as well as your humble narrator’s favourite, the unfortunately long gone collaboration with an iconic Australian band, i.e. Brew Am I.
The brewery is constantly trying out new angles as well, like chef-inspired beers, restaurant collaborations, promoting band tours and community contests and events.
Having recently celebrated their birthday with the Four More Beers hoppy amber ale, the team at YH is full steam ahead.
A lot has changed in four years — from going solar-powered to successfully trying their hand at distilling.
They've now expanded to ten brewers and are launching a dedicated brewer's tank that will allow the team to try out their own recipes.
Among these class brewers is Agnes Gajic, one of Australia's few professional female brewers and a recipient of the Pink Boots Society award.
The Newtonian masterminds haven't just limited themselves to beer — their cider and spirits game is strong as well, with their Noble Cut Gin recently awarded the Gold Medal from the World Spirit Awards.
Now both brewery and distillery, YH plans to continue to develop in the spirits direction and their current collaboration with Jameson is the result:
Jameson Caskmates Young Henrys Edition is a barrel ageing collaboration between Jameson Irish Whiskey and Young Henrys.
Firstly, Young Henrys beer was barrel aged in Jameson whiskey barrels - the product of this exercise was the Young Henrys Craic and Barrel Aged Irish Red Ale.
Now, the long-awaited Jameson Caskmates Young Henrys Limited Edition has been produced by barrel finishing Jameson Irish Whiskey in 10 Young Henrys fresh craft beer seasoned casks that were shipped back to Ireland from the beer barrel ageing project.
When the fresh casks are re-hydrated, they retain the flavour profile of the Irish Red Ale, resulting in a whiskey that has new notes of caramel, malt and subtle hops all supported by a mild pot still spiciness.
This release of the Caskmates edition brings you a unique Triple Distilled Jameson Irish Whiskey experience with a twist from the heart of Sydney, Newtown.
As part of Sydney’s beer week, Time Out’s Hop Up set up shop at World Square and celebrated all things Young Henrys, Grill’d Burgers, the release of their 2017 Bar Guide and an ample chance to try Jameson Caskmates Young Henrys edition whiskey, serenaded by killer tunes from the outfits Los Tones and Moon Brain.
Another praiseworthy, well organised and geschmäcklerisches Time Out Sydney Event.
All photos by T
