Catalyst: Feb 8

Next week on Catalyst, Paul West present three teams of budding brewmasters who take on a challenge to make their best homebrew.

Celebrate the science of beer with chef Paul West, as three teams of budding brewmasters take on the challenge to make their best homebrew. But do they have what it takes to impress our panel of international judges?

Guided by one of Australia’s best-known brewers, Samara Fuss, craft beer enthusiasts Rosemary and Ashley (Team Pale), father and son duo Doug and Euan (Team Sour), and mates Pete and Paul (Team Stout) will compete over 3 weeks for their beer to be crowned champion of the Big Brew Challenge.

Joining our teams as they navigate the complex world of modern brewing is presenter Paul West who gets a lesson in the science of beer. From the basics to the revolutionary, he speaks to the scientists harnessing the power of yeast to ferment natural products to create biofuels. Travelling to Wiradjuri country, the Riverina area of New South Wales, Paul learns why malt is so important to the brewing process and discovers a brewery who are reducing their carbon footprint using microalgae.

Finally, food and drink journalist Mike Bennie and writer and broadcaster ‘Beer Diva’ Kirrily Waldorn, taste test our team’s final brews. They’re impressed with all of them – but there can only be one winner…

8:30pm Tuesday on ABC.