Feral Brewing’s TUSK Day returns

Set to take place on 24 October, Feral Brewing is reviving its annual TUSK Day for the first time since the brewery regained independence in 2024.

TUSK Day is a one-day tradition centered around the limited release beer of the same name – a triple IPA that is kegged on the day and hand delivered to select venues to ensure it is consumed as fresh as possible.

Darcy White, Head of Marketing at Feral Brewing, said this year is particularly special to the brand that is celebrating its first year of independence.

“Last year the sale from CCEP was fresh and we were still sorting through everything – we just didn’t feel we were in a place to do it and do it well. Totally different this year – the team is absolutely pumped and has come with ideas on how we can build on what was already there,” he told Beer & Brewer.

This follows the brand’s recent rebrand and packaging overhaul as well as the appointment of Charlotte Freeston as the new Head of Brewing and Innovation.

White said with Freeston at the helm, consumers will be delivered the TUSK they know and love.

“Pretty much the first rule at Feral is you don’t muck around with TUSK. This year’s brew is Charlotte’s first but she’s looking to give the people what they want and not deviate too far from what TUSK has always been.”

The TUSK tradition began over a decade ago and has continued to evolve with the Feral brand.

“It was first brewed in 2005 but TUSK Day as we know it now really started firing around 2013. Hard to say how the beer itself has evolved but the biggest change is that people are much comfier these days with 10 per cent plus beers – back in the early days it was wild to see a 10 per cent beer on tap which probably helped grow its profile,” said White.

As for how the concept came to be and what it is today, White said it started with a huge beer and its mythology, and has turned into much more.

“It’s a very Feral concept – we keg it in the morning, and it gets taken straight to pubs to be tapped. It’s a logistical nightmare but it’s the freshest beer you can possibly have. It’s gone a long way beyond beer now. For us, it’s about having a date people can circle in the calendar and really soak in having a few beers.”

He continued: “TUSK is all about the craft community. The fact people take the arvo off work and swarm the pub and have that arvo with mates is really what it’s all about for us. We can’t wait to see people filing in and just having a ripping day.”

In terms of what to expect from the flavour profile of this year’s brew, White said that is a secret best kept until TUSK Day.

In 2025 TUSK will be available in select WA venues that will also be pouring between five and 10 Feral beers.

TUSK Venues in 2025: