In wake of the February floods that hit far-north Queensland causing hundreds of millions of dollars in damage to property and livestock, Townsville Brewing Co with Bintani Australia has produced a flood relief beer.

The Big Wet Pale Ale is a 4.2% ABV beer brewed with Vienna and Munich malts and Cashmere hops. Townsville Brewery has produced 1,450 litres of The Big Wet, which will be available on tap at the brewery and in venues in Townsville and Cairns.

Bintani donated more than $1,000 worth of ingredients to the cause.

Of the funds raised, 25 per cent of sales will be donated to the Queensland Country Women’s Association Rural Crisis Fund.

Townsville Brewery’s Emily Young, whose own home was inundated in the floods and is currently unliveable, told Brews News that the brewery chose the Country Women’s Association because they are well-positioned to get the funds to those in need of it most.

“Townsville was hit extremely hard by the flooding but in the nearby towns of Cloncurry and Julia Creek, some have lost nearly 100 per cent of their cattle stock,” Young said.

“We had a lot of staff that were hit really hard, I lost my house.

“Everything came to a grinding halt for a few days but as a business, we were worried about everyone’s safety.”

Young said that Townsville Brewery is estimating to raise at least $6,000.

The Big Wet Pale Ale will be available on tap from Friday, March 22 at the brewery and at venues including Heritage Exchange (Townsville), The TapHouse (Townsville), Hemingway’s Brewery (Cairns), Sandi’s On Magnetic Island (Magnetic Island) and Empire Alternacade (Townsville).