Australian breweries are putting their own spin on the cocktail of the moment, launching experimental releases in the form of beer-Margarita hybrids ahead of World Margarita Day on Thursday 22 February.
Bondi brewery Curly Lewis is set to launch its El Tequileno Lagerita next Thursday, available exclusively on tap at the beachside venue. Inspired by the most requested drops on the menu, the beer is made with a base of the Curly Lewis El Gringo Cerveza mixed with a Tommy’s Margarita in collaboration with El Tequileno Tequila.
Oliver dos Remedios, Co-Founder of Curly Lewis, says the new beer is the perfect refreshment for local beachgoers, paired with a selection of tacos available every Thursday on Curly Lewis’ taco night.
“We are constantly working on new beer releases at the tap room and love experimenting with brews that will make for refreshing beach-side drinking.
“Mexican style lagers are having a moment, and the Tommy’s Margarita has become a fan-favourite in bars across the country. Our El Tequileno Lagerita is the love child of the two and the ultimate beer for the lively Bondi crowd.”
Another brewery pushing the limits of category crossover is Felons Brewing Co, collaborating with Madre Mezcal for the launch of a new limited release, the Felons x Madre Mezcal Margarita Sour Ale.
Designed to reflect the true taste of a Margarita, the beer has fruity and earthy flavours thanks to its inclusion of simcoe hops, carapils malt and pilsner malt, balanced with Madre Mezcal Ensamble, lime zest, lime juice and salt.
Tom Champion, Head Brewer at Felons, spoke about the brewery’s decision to use mezcal, rather than tequila, for the Margarita Sour Ale.
“The Felons team have always had a soft spot for the humble Margarita, with dreams of instilling the iconic salt and zest flavours into the ultimate refreshing beer,” he says.
“We first attempted a Margarita Sour beer back in 2023, and while we loved how the flavour components played together, we found that the tequila used during brewing was overpowered.
“After multiple bench blend trials, we quickly learnt that Madre Mezcal had the depth of flavour to ensure that this release could become the world class beer we always knew it could be.
“The earthy flavour of Madre shines through the sour beer without dominating the palette, and the hint of char combined with subtle salinity rounds out the finish, letting you know that the beer is delivering as promised.”
Dean Romeo, Brand Director at Felons, says the collaboration is a natural connection which captures the spirit of adventure found in both Brisbane, Australia, and Oaxaca in Mexico.
“It was a great privilege to work with Madre and use their delicious mezcal in our Margarita Sour Ale. This beer highlights the versatility which is important in our industry and provides drinkers a refreshing flavour which feels right for the moment. The taste is strikingly on point with a classic mezcal Margarita.”
With only 4,000 cans produced, all of which were brewed and canned at the Felons brewery site beneath the Story Bridge in Brisbane, the Margarita Sour Ale launches today online and at select bars, bottle shops and restaurants in Brisbane and surrounding areas.
The new beer will be available to sample on-site at Felons, which has worked closely with notable chef Alanna Sapwell-Stone of The Eltham Hotel in the Northern Rivers on a complementary food dish, inspired by her own travels to Oaxaca in 2023.
