Overview
You may have noticed the unusual name on tap at your local craft brew pub: Akasha. Brewed in Five Dock, Akasha Brewing Company is pouring across Sydney at the likes of the Banks Hotel, Royal Albert and Baxter Inn. The etymology of the name, a reference to the 'fifth element', goes much deeper than Bruce Willis and multipasses. Similar to earth's four elements, beer too has four main ingredients: water, grain, hops and yeast. So, what is the fifth, 'mystery' element that makes a beer great? Well, that's the brewer himself.
In Akasha's case, Dave Padden is the man behind the curtain. Formerly of Riverside Brewing Company, Padden struck out on his own last year and has been contract brewing from the Rocks Brewing Company in preparation of the grand reveal. With 20 years' brewing experience under his belt, the public opening of the Akasha brewery has been the talk of town for the better part of 2015. Now, with brewing well underway in their the Five Dock location, the cellar door opens this Friday with much applause from locals and the craft beer community alike.
Padden brings a love of American style beers to the Australian market, but isn't brewing big beers just for the sake of it. Akasha is all about accessibility and making hoppy beers that can be loved by both IPA and lager drinkers. Their four core beers (not so surprisingly named after the four elements) are each hoppy in their own right. "The Tradewind Lager is a gateway beer, using Australian hops that add flavour without the bitterness," says Padden. Even the Fire Within Amber Ale is clean and refreshing while being obviously hop forward.
"We're all about creating beers that satisfy the need for sessionable, easy-drinking while also appealing to the beer nerds out there" says head of marketing and sales Ben Galanos. Along with co-founder and business partner Wesley White, these three musketeers go way back and are committed to brewing the beers they, and we, love to drink. As their slogan goes, "It's all about the beer."
The tasting room will take the place of the brewing floor, transforming the weekday workspace with upcycled share tables made from reused pallets. The cellar door is also one of the few places you can get Akasha to go — they won't be selling in bottles until the New Year, so make sure to grab a growler during your visit. With beer that "awakens the soul", we're certain you won't be disappointed.
The Akasha Brewing Company cellar door will open at 10A Spencer Street, Five Dock this Friday, December 4 at 2pm. Their regular hours will be Friday – Saturday from 2pm – 7pm.