Fill these tanks and learn to brew

“Local supporting local” was the catalyst for Blackman’s Brewery and Bird Rock to join forces and create a new beer that celebrates their union.

The friendship between Torquay businessmen Renn Blackman and Anthony Gist spans the better part of a decade.

When Renn opened the doors to Blackman’s Brewery on Bell Street in August 2014, Anthony (best known as Ant) was simultaneously seating patrons at his newly established sushi restaurant, Roku Den, just a few doors down.

Now the pair have teamed up along with their staff to brew Black Bird – a tap beer exclusive to Bird Rock for Bird Rock.

Ant couldn’t contain his excitement last Thursday when the beer was working its magic in tank at Blackman’s, where it will sit for about three to four weeks.

“I’m so amped on this, it’s been a fun project. It’s not very often that you get to make a beer, especially with Renn – a local, fellow businessman and awesome beer maker,” he said.

“Anybody that has a crack, and especially to the level that Renn is, there’s so much respect there and I think we’ve been side by side every day to figure out life and business since we met.”

Renn said relinquishing control and allowing new minds to steer the flavour direction for Black Bird had been a great experience, particularly for someone who usually “drinks a lot of beer” to land on an original taste.

“It’s been a really fun thing to get these guys here and make a beer with them so they can get involved in the process,” he said.

“Ant and I have been mates a long time, so coming together to do this has been awesome and it keeps money coming into Torquay.”

Ant and two of his staff each tasted about 15 different beers before narrowing down three they liked – Balter, Hawkers and Blackman’s.

The end product is somewhere in the middle of the three, says Renn.

“We’ve gone for a pretty easy drinking, citrusy pale ale, or extra pale ale, it’s called,” he said.

“It’s going to be great.”

Black Bird will be launched privately at Bird Rock to friends and supporters before it’s put on the public pour. For news and updates, follow facebook.com/birdrockjj and @birdrockjj.