Weird beer: vanilla slice brew Snot Block a new Tallboy and Moose creation

The brains trust behind a popular Preston brewery have returned to the lab to create their take on the iconic vanilla slice. And it has a surprising key ingredient.

Brewers at Tallboy and Moose, Preston have brewed Snot Block, a vanilla slice inspired beer for the Great Australasian Beer Spectacular. Picture: George Salpigtidis

There are few things more Australian than a beer and a snot block.

Now two foreigners have combined them in the ultimate tribute to Aussie culture.

Tallboy and Moose’s Snot Block is a tongue-in-cheek look at an Australian icon — the vanilla slice.

RELATED

THE STORY BEHIND TALLBOY AND MOOSE’S CAN-DO ATTITUDE

BREWERY MAKING BEER SUITED FOR WINE LOVERS

WAREHOUSE BREWERY WITH WATERFALL, LAGOON OPEN SOON

But snot block purists should be aware — they’ve gone for a surprise variation.

“For us, we like the iteration where there is a small passionfruit component,” brewery co-owner Steve Germain said.

The beer is packed with biscuity malt, topped with notes of vanilla and passionfruit, and is exactly how you would expect it to taste.

Co-owners Dan Hall and Steve Germain opened the experimental hop house two and a half years ago. Picture: George Salpigtidis

“(The passionfruit) is understated. It’s a thread in that complex package that is a snot block,” Mr Germain said.

Brewed for the Great Australasian Beer Spectacular, the crazy creation will feature alongside more than 170 festival beers brewed specifically for the occasion.

Mr Germain said they weren’t allowed to tap the kegs at any other events, so punters attending the GABS festival would be the first to try it in Victoria.

Canadian-born Germain and British-born Hall are no strangers to experimentation.

Mr Germain said they have released around 140 beers in the two and a half years they’d been open.

“We release a new beer almost every week. It’s very much part of what we do,” he said.

“At the moment we have a sweet potato beer on tap.

“We take inspiration from the food world and obviously the dessert world is part of that.

“The most important thing is the beers drink well and taste good.”

GABS is running at the Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton from May 17-19.

Visit the Great Australasian Beer Spectacular website for more information.

@richardapearce