Two Canberra Institutions Brew A Beer
We have come together with Italian & Sons to create a new collaboration beer. It’s a pizza fermented beer using Italian & Sons unique pizza dough starter. A refreshing pale ale in style, named Regina – meaning “Queen” in Italian – after Queen Margarite and her name’s sake Margherita pizza, Regina uses simple, quality ingredients in an unique way to produce a delicious, crisp and slightly herbal flavour perfect for pairing with great food.
Richard Watkins, our head brewer and co-founder of BentSpoke, and Pasquale Trimboli, co-owner of Italian & Sons, have known each other for many years and would speak about how their two local Braddon businesses could collaborate in some way in the heart of Canberra, Braddon. After many discussions of brewing a beer and what kind of beer they would brew, they came together this year to create something unique.
The brew is a pale ale pizza fermented beer using Italian & Sons pizza dough starter in the fermentation – the same starter Pasquale has been using for his pizza dough since he opened the doors to Italian & Sons in 2009. They’ve added a touch of oregano to create a clean, slightly herbal and dry finish to this refreshing pale ale.
Richard Watkins, head brewer & co-founder of BentSpoke said, “It’s a delicious take on pizza in a beer, and the Italian & Sons sourdough starter has given us some great yeast like characters within the beer. It’s one that we think everyone will enjoy and pairs well with a savoury and heart-warming meal.”
Pasquale Trimboli, owner of Italian & Sons has been noted saying, “I am so thrilled with this collaboration. We have brought two Canberra hospitality brands into one exciting new product, and I couldn't be prouder. The beer is such a great, and delicious way to showcase the best taste of Canberra - and we can now share it across Australia. The BentSpoke crew are so inspiring, professional, dedicated, and open-minded - we've been a fan for many, many years. When we brainstormed with Richard about how we could create the perfect pizza beer, our tastebuds literally went off the charts and the concept for Regina was born. “
Starting from the 26th of April this brew will be released in cans with an eye-catching yellow design, featuring Queen Margherita herself, and widely available in all good bottle shops on Australia’s east coast - while stock lasts. If you’re after a tap beer, you can find Regina on tap at the BentSpoke BrewPub and Italian & Sons today. Please check out our beer finder on our website to find it in cans near you!