Stone & Wood Brews a Fire-Fuelled Porter for the Darkest Nights
As the winter solstice draws near, Stone Beer emerges—a brew steeped in ancient tradition. Inspired by medieval techniques, we fire stones and cast them into the kettle, caramelising malts to create rich toffee flavours. For its 17th winter, this dark porter features premium Australian malts, pouring deep brown with aromas of chocolate and notes of roasted coffee and biscuit. Best savoured on the darkest of nights, gathered around a crackling fire.
Honouring Tradition, Brewed by Fire: Our Annual Winter Stone Beer Returns
In the depths of a chilling Northern European winter, a celebration begins. The long-awaited harvest returns a dark bounty that is above all else that has come before.
Long before the wizardry of steam was invented, brewers used stones and wood to brew their daily beer. Each year we release our winter seasonal Stone Beer, by adding wood-fired stones to the kettle to rouse the boil we pay tribute to this ancient technique and the brewers of the Middle Ages – dating back to the Vikings. Apart from the obvious heating effects, the stones intensify the malt characters and caramelise the brew, creating rich and toffee like flavours
Every winter, we honour ancient brewing techniques by releasing our annual Stone Beer, a bold yet approachable dark porter brewed with wood-fired stones in the kettle. This year, we’ve opted for a range of the highest quality Australian malts from Voyager Craft Malt, to produce a decadent limited release brew. Stone Beer 2025 pours dark brown, with rich and chocolatey aromas, followed by coffee, dark chocolate and biscuity flavours on the palate and finishes with a firm bitterness. Our wood fired porter is perfect for cold nights, sitting by the fire, beer in hand with mates.
Ingredients
- Malt
- Voyager Veloria
- Barrets Pale malt
- Voyager Regen pale malt
- Voyager Biscuit malt
- Voyager Voodoo malt
- Voyager Chocolate malt
- Voyager Smoked Red Gum malt
- Hops
- Galaxy
- Fuggles
- Yeast
- 1056 American Ale yeast
Food Pairings
🔥 Rich & Roasted Pairings (Match Intensity)
These dishes match the beer’s bold, roasted flavours:
- Smoked beef brisket with charred bark and caramelised edges
- Charcoal-grilled lamb burgers with harissa yoghurt or tahini slaw
- Slow-cooked beef cheek with root veg and jus reduction
- Sticky BBQ short ribs with molasses glaze
🌶️ Spice-Driven Pairings (Complement & Contrast)
Porters often pair beautifully with warm spice blends:
- Tandoori chicken with garlic naan and mint raita
- Lamb kofta with tabbouleh and a smoky eggplant dip
- Turkish-style eggplant stew (Imam Bayildi) for a vegetarian match
- Pulled lamb shawarma with pickled onion and tahini dressing
🧀 Cheese Pairings (Cut & Contrast)
Stone Beer’s roasted bitterness and carbonation can balance fat and salt:
- Sharp aged cheddar or mature Gouda
- Smoked provolone or blue cheese with fig paste
- A cheese board featuring nutty hard cheeses, toasted walnuts, and dates
🔥 BBQ & Flame-Friendly
Ideal for the beer’s smoky finish:
- Chargrilled sausages with caramelised onions
- Grilled portobello mushrooms marinated in balsamic and herbs
- Barbecued lamb skewers with chimichurri
