A HOMEBREWING experiment thrust Wade Curtis into the spotlight, with his now-famous carrot beer attracting worldwide renown.
In the past three weeks Mr Curtis - of Four Hearts Brewing in Ipswich - has been on national television twice, has featured on countless food, beverage and media websites, and is now fielding inquiries from as far away as Norway.
Born out of a chance encounter with Scenic Rim vegetable farmer Richard Gorman, the carrot beer proved a surprise hit in the craft beer world when it was lunched last month.
What's more, Mr Curtis is brewing a second batch of the aptly-named Wabbit Saison ale.
"I think the main thing to start with is that carrot beer sounds straight out weird," Mr Curtis said.
"It is 6.5 per cent alcohol strength and actually bright orange.
"You see the look on people's faces when they order it. Like they don't want to get more than a pot because they reckon they'll be tipping it out."
But the Wabbit Saison has proved more than a curiosity purchase.
"Maybe it's just people being polite to our face at the bar, but people seem to actually like it," Mr Curtis said.
Wabbit Saison is 16 per cent carrot juice - which unintentionally works out at about about one carrot per pot.
"We have no intention for it to be a health drink, but people seem to be using that as an excuse to get their veggie intake," Mr Curtis said.
At the moment the beer is only available at selected bars around South East Queensland, but interest is expected to climb when Wabbit Saison makes an appearance at the Scenic Rim Winter Harvest Festival and Regional Flavours at South Bank.
Mr Curtis said a second 1300-litre batch is due by September, but he hasn't got plans for global domination just yet.
"Of course, I'm always open to offers, but started this because of my love of microbrewing," he said.
"I have had a few producers come to me asking for me to make drinks out of their vegetables and fruits.
"But I don't know if an avocado beer would work the same."
