“At the heart of [the beer industry] is the beer drinker who just loves beer, appreciates quality, and wants to share that experience.”

Ahead of their biggest event of the year, Ramjet Day, we joined Boatrocker founders Matt and Andrea Houghton at their Barrel Room in Braeside.

Given Matt and his brewers have released more beers in different styles than pretty much anyone in Australia since 2009 – not to mention their move into spirits after they absorbed former Perth distillery Hippocampus – there’s plenty of discussion of their approach beyond the iconic Ramjet and its many spin-offs.

We head back well beyond the launch of their first beer, Alpha Queen, to the European travels before they met that opened their eyes to the breadth and beauty of the beer world, how they manage such a diverse portfolio and adapt to the changing market, and the importance of community.

After Andrea dashes off to collect their kids from school, Matt offers his thoughts on many of the issues impacting the industry – from cheap kegs and VAs to Australia’s convoluted tax system – plus some tips for anyone thinking of starting out today.

Prior to the main interview, James joins Will from Kings Canyon to cast an eye over the week’s news, including the latter’s interview with Eclectic Brewing, a guide to beer in Montreal, and the arrival in our brewery directory of inner-west Sydney breweries Bracket and Pickled Monkey.

We also flag the launch of Blobfish 2025 – including a ticket giveaway for our beer club members – and there's the return, mid-show, of Milo Applebottom with another film tie-in for Point Break Brewery Invitational 2025.

Start of segments:

• 8:49 – Matt & Andrea Houghton, Boatrocker
• 40:31 – Point Break Brewery Invitational ft Milo Applebottom
• 43:42 – Matt Houghton, Boatrocker

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