Murray’s Craft Brewery has hit the pointy end of the Christmas season with the release of two new beers.

In its latest nose-thumb to orthodoxy the Port Stephens brewery says it has has thrown away the beer recipe bible and created a reformation – a hybrid of a few Belgian styles.

Wanting to brew a summer ale but not wanting to do one like any others currently available, brewer Shawn Sherlock says it’s influenced by characteristics he really enjoys in saisons and Belgian blonde ales, with a nod also to Belgian tripels.

By his own admission Shawn rarely talks up his own beers, but there is a definite note of pride as he talks about how Punk Monk tasted as it went in the bottle.Despite coming in at 7.5% it is described as “very moreish and drinkable” – or in Shawn’s words, “almost too drinkable”, a summer ale that’s a little bit sinful.

Murray’s says Punk Monk is great company for a fresh and spicy seafood or chicken BBQ.

Punk Monk will be taking its vows on Boxing Day and will be on draught at the brewery and Beer Deluxe. Bottles can be ordered online or purchased at the brewery. $75 per cube of 16 x 330ml bottles.

The second beer release is this year’s Anniversary Ale.

Anniversary Ale 5 marks the first major change in the base recipe since the inaugural batch. Brewed in collaboration with Murray’s original head brewer Graeme Mahy to celebrate its 5th year, AA5 is still a wheat and barleywine at heart like the previous batches. Unlike previous vintages which changed one ingredient to make each year’s beer unique, this one has undergone some more dramatic changes.

Shawn says the grain bill has seen a sizeable addition of chocolate and patent malt which has left the beer darker that previously and with a coffee and dark chocolate edge.

Still oak aged, the hoppingregimenhas been tweaked as well to further improve the annual beer’s aging potential. Green Bullet, Pacifica, Motueka and Pacific Cacade hops have been used to give the beer a more assertive bitterness and stronger hop aroma and flavour.

Only 1000 available are available at $40 for $750ml bottle…

Available at Murray’s Brewery.