In a bold move to stand out in the ever-evolving craft beer market, South Australia’s Robe Town Brewery has unveiled an unconventional creation: beer made with camel dung. Aptly named “Holy Smokes!,” the brew is a testament to the brewery’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.
Inspiration struck owner and head brewer Maris Biezaitis during interactions with a nearby camel farm, Humpalicious. Seeking to incorporate elements of the camels into his beer, Biezaitis turned to their dung as a unique ingredient. Leftover grain from the brewery is fed to the camels, and the resulting dung is collected and utilized as a natural fuel source to smoke the malted barley.
While the concept may raise eyebrows, Biezaitis assures that the end product does not contain any traces of dung and bears no resemblance to its unconventional source. Describing the flavor as reminiscent of peat-smoked malt, he emphasizes the surprisingly subtle influence of the camel dung.
The launch of “Holy Smokes!” is slated for the upcoming Great Australian Beer Spectacular, where it will join an array of over 100 innovative brews. Biezaitis acknowledges the novelty of the concept as a strategic tool to capture interest and evoke a sense of wonder among consumers.
This daring endeavor underscores a broader trend within the craft beer industry towards experimentation with unconventional ingredients and techniques. From chicken salt beer to beetroot and ginger sour beer, breweries across the state are pushing boundaries to offer unique flavor experiences to their patrons.
Steve Brockman, lead of the Independent Brewers Association SA chapter, underscores the industry’s relentless pursuit of innovation amid economic challenges. With rising transportation and brewing costs, breweries are compelled to explore novel approaches, including the incorporation of locally sourced ingredients, to maintain competitiveness and captivate consumer interest.
As the craft beer landscape continues to evolve, South Australian brewers like Robe Town Brewery are at the forefront of pioneering new frontiers, reaffirming their commitment to creativity, sustainability, and flavor innovation.
