VALLEY HOPS BREWING

The projects we’re engaged for with Valley Hops Brewing are always some of our favourites. For this project, we created a series of illustrations for their Nocturnal Animals seasonal beer range. The series features native animals local to the Meanjin/Brisbane area and gave nod to various characters and late night happenings one might have experience (or experience!) when frequently Brisbane’s lively Fortitude Valley at night.

Illustration

MEET THE BEERS FROM THE WILD SIDE

Under the cover of darkness, the Valley comes alive with colourful displays from local natives, as they roam the Valley streets through the night to hunt, feast and play. You’ll find all kinds of characters here, from lively little party animals to shape-shifting jailbirds. They know this place. They’ve seen a thing or two over the years and they’re here for this vibrant, lively place we call home. Watching from the shadows, wide-eyed as you pass by.

Valley Hops Nocturnal Animals series celebrates our wonderful late-night loving creatures who call Fortitude Valley home, with a range of exciting brews that shift with the seasons (perfect for creatures of habit). There’s always at least one of them around, but you’ll never catch all of them together in one spot.

The Brushtail Possum

FIESTA

A lively little party animal, bursting with vibrant, summery goodness.

Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, these cheeky little ravers know how to move, clawing their way through crowds and climbing fences to get close to the action. Passionate supporters of local talent, anything ‘homegrown’ is music to their ears. Join the party and celebrate the tropical tastes of summer, with this lively and refreshingly fruity sour that pays tribute to our Valley Fiesta.

Beer: Mango and Passionfruit Sour (Weiss Sour) | ABV: 4.2%

The Flying Foxes

WIDOW’S WEEDS

Black as night, an ethereal beauty with the feel of silken velvet.

These surprisingly social creatures flocked to the Valley’s bustling shopping mall in the 1970s. Dressed in black from head to toe, they lingered like shadows, beady-eyed and ready to shriek at anyone who crossed their path. Pay your respects to the widows, and unravel the mystery of this rich, velvety and sessionable medium-bodied Stout, as it envelopes you in layers of toffee, chocolate and freshly ground coffee beans.

Beer: Oatmeal Stout | ABV: 5.7%

The TAWNY FrogMouth

SINS AND GRINS

A big, bold, wild thing with a refreshingly sweet side.

If you happen to spot one of these shape-shifting jailbirds prowling the streets late at night, you’d best look the other way, like the Blue Heelers. Shady as an illegal casino fronting as a Devonshire tea house (and just as charming), anything they say should be taken with a pinch of salt. Throwback to Fortitude Valley in the 80s with Sins and Grins — a gutsy, refreshingly crisp cold IPA, with hint of watermelon and tropical notes.

Beer: Watermelon Cold IPA | ABV: 6.8%

The Curlews

Silver Dollar

A robust, golden-hued creature, with a sound bitterness and slightly sweet underbelly.

Meet the masters of camouflage, like the infamous Silver Dollar Club Restaurant — where the cheap spaghetti ‘meals’ and fossilised desserts should have been against the law. Loud and proud, they never miss a beat, freezing like the rock-hard jelly they just used as an ashtray, when approached. Nail this full-bodied, smooth and refreshing lager with a subtle, malty flavour whenever you need to break the rules.

Beer: Pilsner (Czech Style) | ABV: 4.9%

THE GOLDEN ORB SPIDER

THE HERBALIST

A delicately balanced, full-bodied Master of Zen (this one’s got legs).

Take only what you need. Leave no trace. This guy’s a true nature-lover, tuned to feel your vibrations and inner presence, with an impressive web of knowledge at his rather hairy fingertips. Be the yin to his yang with a Herbalist IPA and thank the wise ‘Father’ of Chinatown for bringing his ancient wisdom to the Valley. You’ll be rewarded with a toffee-like malt profile, pine and citrus aromas, and a bittersweet finish.

Beer: American IPA | ABV: 6.5%