Family-run Hobart brewery Captain Bligh’s to showcase at Australian International Beer Awards

Meet Steve and Adam Brooks, who are the father-son duo behind Hobart brewery Captain Bligh’s. After sweeping Tassie away with their brew, they’re ready to take on the world.

Father and son team Stephen and Adam Brooks of Captain Bligh's brewery and distillery in Hobart have entered their Project X beer into the Australian International Beer Awards. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

After one sip, this father and son brewing duo knew they were onto something.

Former psychiatrist Steve Brooks founded Captain Bligh’s in 2014, enlisting the help of his son Adam who pivoted from a career on the mainland to learn the family business.

Through appearances at the Salamanca Markets and monthly openings for patrons, their boutique selection of beers and spirits – made on their 176-year-old Hobart CBD site – have attracted a cult following.

Father and son team Stephen and Adam Brooks of Captain Bligh's brewery and distillery in Hobart have entered their Project X beer into the Australian International Beer Awards. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

In May, they will challenge the world’s top brewers in the wood and barrel-aged beer category at the Melbourne Australian International Beer Awards – thought to be the world’s largest annual beer competition.

The entrant: Project X, a barrel-aged strong black ale that, according to Adam, “makes stout taste like water.”

“I’m just so proud of this beer,” Steve said.

“It’s a style that most professional brewers say is really hard to brew, and we wanted to showcase where we’re heading as our tiny, little brewery.”

The “incredibly viscous beer”, made using only malt, water, yeast and hops, is aged anywhere from 10 to 16 months in the Brooks’ own recycled ex-whisky and rum casks; its uniqueness testimony to the silver lining of remaining small, Steve said.

“It means you can work as an artisan, and it gives you the flexibility to do the things the way you want and to have fun with it.

“But we ended up being successful enough that it was too big just for myself.”

Father and son team Stephen and Adam Brooks of Captain Bligh's brewery and distillery in Hobart have entered their Project X beer into the Australian International Beer Awards. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Still, the Brooks were proud to be champions of the small-batch, craft-beer revival.

“We think there is very much a need for small breweries to specialise in a particular category and this is ours,” Steve said.