Beer in desserts? Cheers to that! Photo: Sophia Brady.
Beer for drinking? This is a well-established fact.
But aside from the occasional splash of stout in an Irish stew, I had never really thought about beer as an ingredient. Then I found myself reading through the menu at BentSpoke BrewPub and noticing it throughout. Beer bread. Beer-based sauces. Beer-braised meats. Even dessert gets a beer makeover.
According to BentSpoke BrewPub venue manager Sean Dodd, incorporating beer into the food is a natural extension of what happens in the brewery.
“We’re always creating new beer here and keeping the beer offer current and fresh,” said Sean. “It’s the same with our food. Food is an important factor for us, and we love incorporating the beer product into it.”
With new beers constantly being brewed, there is no shortage of inspiration for the kitchen. Different beers bring different characteristics and layers, giving chefs plenty to work with when developing dishes.
“There are so many different flavour profiles we can use across the menu,” Sean said.
“The menu changes every six months, creating opportunities to experiment with different beers, seasonal produce and new combinations. It keeps things interesting.”
It all feels very BentSpoke.
When the brewery opened in Braddon in 2014, the suburb was still shaking off its semi-industrial roots. Back then there were mechanics, workshops and car yards where there are now bars, restaurants and apartments. BentSpoke was one of the places that gave Canberrans a reason to head there for a meal and a pint.
More than a decade later, Braddon has changed dramatically, but BentSpoke remains one of Canberra’s hospitality institutions. The beers continue to win awards and attract a loyal following, while the kitchen transforms those same liquid concoctions, malts, and hops into culinary creations.
“One of our most popular dishes, especially through winter, is the beef brisket tacos, where the meat is braised in Red IPA. The beer works really well with the savoury richness of the meat,” said Sean
Beer bread with a pot of gooey stracciatella, hops-infused honey and chilli oil. Photo: Sophia Brady.
The menu covers small plates, burgers, sandwiches, salads, and larger dishes. But I am here to enjoy the pub vibes and do some quality people watching over a drink and some snacks.
First up was the beer bread, with their IPA incorporated into the baking process. It arrived warm with a pot of gooey stracciatella, hops-infused honey and chilli oil. It looked rustic, reassuringly homemade in the best possible way, sitting somewhere between a little loaf and a damper. The mix of honey and chilli oil started delicately before gradually building in warmth, while the stracciatella added a lovely, creamy element to slather on the bread.
The hop salt potato chips were another highlight. Photo: Sophia Brady
The hop salt potato chips were another highlight. Wonderfully crunchy and generously seasoned, they arrived with a thick, glossy beer gravy that made it hard not to double-dip. There is something truly satisfying about chips and gravy when it is done properly, and this was done very properly.
To end, dark beer chocolate brownie and Cluster 8 drunken fruit ice cream. The brownie was fine, but the ice cream was stellar. Made on-site, it was rich with a savoury something about it (hello complex beer flavours!) Each mouthful revealed a new taste, and this was the dish that I could most strongly pick up the notes of the brew used to make it. It was broody and malty with hints of caramel. Next time I would be tempted to skip the brownie altogether and ask for three scoops of the ice cream. It was delicious.
Beer drinker or beer eater, now there is more than one way to enjoy a BentSpoke brew.
BentSpoke BrewPub is located at 38 Mort St, Braddon. The kitchen is open Sunday to Wednesday from 11 am to 9 pm, and from Thursday to Saturday from 11 am to 10 pm.
Original Article published by Sophia Brady on Region Canberra.
