A pungent substance extracted from sperm whales is now an ingredient in the production of a special new beer. The substance known as ambergris or "whale vomit" is most commonly used in perfumes.
"The result is a pungent, animalistic aroma, musky ethereal perfume, full body, caramel malt and fruity flavours, very balanced bitterness," the brewery's website states. "Though the aroma may not be for the faint-hearted, and the beer isn't exactly vegan-friendly, the ambergris perfume adds another dimension to this unique tasting experience."
Robe Town brewers Maris and Kristi Biezaitis told ABC News that the idea for the beer was inspired by a friend's discovery of a lump of ambergris.
"When I heard that ambergris was used in the perfume industry, I thought 'I wonder if that could be used to flavor or spice up a beer,'" Maris Biezaitis said. "It was a relatively fresh piece, quite a smelly piece, so it was airing and curing in the backyard before I got hold of it."
Kristi Biezaitis said the beer has a "challenging" taste and stays true to its ocean roots.
"It tastes a little bit like the sea, it tastes a little bit like marine animals. It's really interesting I think," she said.
The unique beer was crafted for Melbourne's Great Australasian Beer SpecTAPular where it was met with a "mixed reaction."
Maris Biezaitis said the brewery has enough ambergris to brew batches for several more years, but added he has a plan for replenishing their supply.