BentSpoke Brewing Co is reviving a Ned Kelly era beer for Australia Day | Good Food

A beer that dates back to the Ned Kelly era is being brought back to life by BentSpoke brewery in time for Australia Day.

Sparkling ale was the most popular style of beer in Australia in the late 19th century, a lighter, fresher style that was less hoppy and brewed quickly to be drunk at once.

It's a partnership between historian David Hughes and BentSpoke's head brewer Richard Watkins, which will see several historic beers being revived in 2015.

Even the tap is fairly distinctive - it's made by local artist Peter Rogers and replicates the famous Kelly rectangular helmet.

The BentSpoke sparkling ale has a base of malted barley, with cane sugar, white rice and flaked maize. The beer would traditionally have been brewed quickly to address the difficulties of producing beer in a hot country.

"Back in the day the settlers could've been drinking it straight from the barrel as it was still fermenting," Watkins reckons.

BentSpoke have named their historic brew Ned's Ale and it will be on tap at the brewery on the Australia Day long weekend, paired with Australia-themed dishes such as the Bushranger's Board (kangaroo prosciutto, smoked lamb, bush chutney and damper).