Homegrown brew grasp Randy Liew has created Sarawak’s first locally produced specialty beer.
Liew, who has over 20 years of expertise in brewing, labored with Hans Gerner from Bavaria, Germany to craft 4 completely different varieties – Wheat, Pale Ale, Extra Dark, and Lager – for the beer, often known as 1602 Craft Beer.
Gerner comes from a household who has been in beer-brewing since 1308, along with his father, grandfather, and great-grandfathers concerned within the commerce.
In explaining the identify, Liew mentioned the yr 1602 was when an explorer from the Netherlands first drew one of many earliest maps of Borneo.
Liew (entrance, centre) and Gerner (again, centre) are the grasp craftsmen behind Sarawak’s 1602 Craft Beer.
“Some might ask why 1602 and not 1884 or 1980? Our brewery is established in Kuching so we picked something that represents where we are from and who we are. Therefore, we chose the number 1602.”
On Facebook, Liew mentioned it’s his private agenda to make Malaysians proud with this locally crafted beer.
“We conceptualised the brand four years ago. We went through some studies and we observed the markets and consumer trends. We went through many challenges to set up a brewery in Malaysia,” mentioned Liew, who clinched the English Pale Ale silver medal on the Asia International Beer Competition 2018 in Hong Kong.
Craft beer is described as beers made utilizing conventional strategies by unbiased brewers. These specialty beers deal with flavour and components.
Craft beer is described as beers made utilizing conventional strategies by unbiased brewers. Photo: Facebook/1602 Craft Beer
“We have lager and pale ale, which is very easy to drink. And we have a dark beer … it tastes a little bit like coffee and has chocolate notes. We do not use coffee or chocolate, yet it has developed that taste simply by selecting different types of malt.
“We didn’t make much modifications to our wheat beer because the beer style itself suits the Asian palette quite well. It’s fruity, with a bit of sweetness. What we are trying to do is introduce craft beers to a young market,” mentioned Liew, who owns a Singapore-based craft brewery.
“After all these years of doing craft brewing throughout South-East Asia, I’ve by no means carried out something for Malaysia, so that is my alternative to contribute,” mentioned Liew, including that the craft beer is obtainable on faucet in Kuching and Sibu.
On Feb 8, Borneo Post’s on-line article on the launch of the beer acquired good response.
Liew believes that by crafting 1602 Craft Beer, he’s contributing again to Malaysia.Kim Lee mentioned: “Congratulations, this can generate revenue for Sarawak.”
Raymond Lim commented: “Hope the quality in taste is better or similar to beers brewed elsewhere. And most importantly competitive cost.”
Robinson Unau Gaong is upset Sarawak black pepper wasn’t added to the beer.
“I drank a Swiss-made beer in Lausanne that has… guess what… Sarawak black pepper as an ingredient. A bit disillusioned this locally made beer does not have it…. might be distinctive and really native… until then… good luck!”
