Border Barrels Podcast

We love our friends at Mountain Monk Brewers so much that we felt it necessary to record a 3rd podcast with them, live on site at their Mount Beauty venue.

The extra-special reason for this visit was an invitation from the man himself, Punky, to sample and discuss the 3 huge new beers recently released into the world.

Dusty the day after another successful and well-earned Oktoberfest celebration, Punky still blows our minds describing all the science and love that goes into making first-class beer.

Two Oktoberfest-specific releases are sampled, including a moreish Bavarian Pilsner and decadent Dunkelbock.

We also get stuck into the very special Mountain Monk collaboration with Rocky Ridge Brunswick, a delicious Cali XPA that feels born for the increasing spring sunshine.

Thanks to Mick, Punky, Steph and the team at Mountain Monk. We feel blessed to have been a small part of the ride from the very beginning, and days like this make us grateful that we hitched our passion wagon to the wonderful world of craft beer.

Be sure to visit the brewery, the website, or current stockists to get your hands on these 3 limited-edition beers before it's too late!

https://www.mountainmonkbrewers.com.au/

Cheers to Great Beers!

Reach out to us at our website:

https://borderbarrels.com/

OR

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/borderbarrelspodcast/

Podcast available on all your favourite podcast platforms.

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3H0aRnh

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3080NIb

It's fitting that our LAST podcast from the Not So Good Shed is a six beer showcase of Beechworth champs Last St Brewery.

Perhaps known primarily for their cordials and spirits, this is a call to park your ignorance beneath a bar coaster and discover a range of first class exquisitely crafted beers!

From lagers to wet hop IPA's, this episode proves that we often overlook just how important water can be to the brewing process. You'll likely be craving the active Beechworth spring water just as much as the hazy pale!

As of this writing we're unsure of the immediate future of the Border Barrels podcast. We're absolutely certain we'll drink more beers and record more episodes, but we just need to figure out exactly what that looks like.

Thank you for being part of our journey to this point. We hope you've enjoyed our hop fueled ramblings from the shed as much as we have.

R.I.P Not So Good Shed 2022-2026

https://lastst.com.au/

Cheers to Great Beers!

Reach out to us at our website:

https://borderbarrels.com/

OR

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/borderbarrelspodcast/

Podcast available on all your favourite podcast platforms.

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3H0aRnh

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3080NIb

It's Simmo's turn to supply the goods on this weeks episode. Although he may not rate his reciting skills, we certainly rate his beer selection skills.

After a recent trip across the Nullarbor, our red-haired friend has returned with four sensational bevvies from WA stalwarts Rocky Ridge Brewing Co!

While this may be another IPA heavy edition of Border Barrels, listen closely for which offering results in a big 5/5 Untapped rating from one particular member, scores historically reserved for Imperial Stouts.

We also follow along with live score updates of the GWS vs Essendon contest, in hope that Hudson may finally end up having something to proud of (spoiler: It didn't eventuate).Elsewhere, although an often dull and divisive topic, we also track the local Farrah election results, as our border region play a massive part in deciding the political direction of our great country.

Thanks to Rocky Ridge for an outstanding array of beers, and our good friend Sime for bringing them home in his carry on.

https://www.rockyridgebrewing.com.au/

Cheers to Great Beers!

Reach out to us at our website:

https://borderbarrels.com/

OR

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/borderbarrelspodcast/

Podcast available on all your favourite podcast platforms.

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3H0aRnh

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3080NIb

Once again we've been absolutely spoilt by our friends at Hargreaves Hill.

A special care package arrived unexpectedly, full of big IPA goodness.

Included in this hop parcel were 4 epic variations of our favourite style, from an America IPA, to a double hazy, as well as a decadent Black Cat liquorice IPA and the newest edition of the classic Kenneth Son of Zenneth!

Elsewhere, the mood is kept a little too light despite the wet, grey skies outside. We'll blame Simmo's opening monologue for that one, although truth be told, the resultant vibes mean we wouldn't want it any other way.

There's even a very special knock at the door of the Not So Good Shed, but that long-anticipated scenario can reveal itself during your listen.

Thanks again to the GOATs at Hargreaves Hill for their incredible beers and unending generosity. We love to share in your passion, and we hope this is another fun journey through your art of liquid gold (and black).

https://hargreaveshill.com.au/

Cheers to Great Beers!

Reach out to us at our website:

https://borderbarrels.com/

OR

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/borderbarrelspodcast/

Podcast available on all your favourite podcast platforms.

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3H0aRnh

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3080NIb

I'm unsure who to blame for what transpired here...

Hudson for supplying a near lethal dose of crazy IPA's, or Jervis Bay Brewing Co for creating them!

Considering the insane deal he received at purchase time, I'm almost inclined to blame the brewery.

HOWEVER, absolutely no feeling here leans towards negative.

This weeks episode is a huge one, and we struggle to keep it on the rails despite our best attempts. Thankfully, a wide range of delicious IPA's from our new Jervis Bae's means the spirits are abnormally high in the Not So Good Shed.

It feels like an impossible task to summarise it more succinctly than I just did, so all you need to do is press play and join us in the hop-filled festivities.

Thank you (and damn you) to Jervis Bay Brewing Co for an unforgettable but difficult-to-remember afternoon.

https://jervisbaybrewing.co/

Cheers to Great Beers!

Reach out to us at our website:

https://borderbarrels.com/

OR

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/borderbarrelspodcast/

Podcast available on all your favourite podcast platforms.

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3H0aRnh

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3080NIb

We generally rate our ability to make smart decisions on our brewery selection, and this week is no exception.

From the small western port town of Hastings comes Smart Brothers Brewery, somewhat unknown but incredibly underrated, if these beers are anything to go by.

Gratzy recounts his recent visit to the brewery itself, with the delicious food offerings pretty much matching the beers for pure quality.

We also celebrate the 200th beer in Border Barrels beer showcase history, courtesy of a unique coconut IPA!

Elsewhere, a mango gose and exceptional Pineapple Milkshake IPA brighten our Sunday afternoons.

Oh yeah, and did we give away KFC's eleven secret herbs and spices?

Press play to find out.

Thanks to Smart Brothers Brewing for making fantastic beers, and be sure to check them out in person if you find yourself down in Mornington.

https://www.smartbrothersbrewing.com.au/

Cheers to Great Beers!

Reach out to us at our website:

https://borderbarrels.com/

OR

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/borderbarrelspodcast/

Podcast available on all your favourite podcast platforms.

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3H0aRnh

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3080NIb

Well, we finally did it.

If we thought assisting in a brew day was our goal, then how did we forget that consuming the result was the ultimate dream?!

All bias aside, this year's Victorian High Country Rule 47 collaborative brew might just be the best one yet. If our on-site episode earlier this year had you anticipating the Black Cali Pils, then we can assure you those instincts were correct.

However, this new episode is no one trick pony. We also sample 3 other brand new beers from our friends at Mountain Monk. Tis the season for some German inspiration, and our friends have absolutely nailed it again, crafting a crisp, delicious Bavarian Pilsner, funky Dunkel Weizen, and thirst quenching Holy Lager.

Be sure to grab your tickets for the Mount Beauty Dachshund Derby and Oktoberfest on Saturday 11 October 2025! As well a fresh can of the 2025 Rule 47 before it's all gone and they call on us once again to brew best beer of 2026!*

*probably had nothing to do with us, and likely won't in the future either.

https://www.mountainmonkbrewers.com.au/

Cheers to Great Beers!

Reach out to us at our website:

https://borderbarrels.com/

OR

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/borderbarrelspodcast/

Podcast available on all your favourite podcast platforms.

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3H0aRnh

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3080NIb

This week we take a little trip down memory lane, while also sampling 3 new MASSIVE stouts from craft beer OG's Deeds Brewing. 'How is this possible', you may ask?

Due to the unfortunate economic climate and difficulties facing the craft industry, Deeds are no longer with us on a full time scale. Thankfully, some bourbon barrel aged beauties are still being kegged and canned on a semi-regular basis, and Simmo (through fortunate circumstances) got his hands on today's beer bounty.

Despite not being our standard 'brewery showcase' type of episode, we do complete our deepest dive ever into Untapped, due to Deeds being a major contributor to why we have a podcast in the first place.

Elsewhere, it's your usual shit talk for near 90 minutes, amped up by 3 of the biggest beers we've ever sampled.

Thanks to Deeds for igniting our passion in the early days, and Simmo for nearly destroying our entire post-recording afternoons.

https://deedsbrewing.com.au/

Cheers to Great Beers!

Reach out to us at our website:

https://borderbarrels.com/

OR

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/borderbarrelspodcast/

Podcast available on all your favourite podcast platforms.

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3H0aRnh

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3080NIb

It was a boozey Sunday afternoon in the Border Barrels studio, as Gratzy (via his wife) supplied the boys with FIVE delicious beers from Mornington's hidden gem Tar Barrel Brewery & Distillery.

We were fortunate enough to get our hands on the limited '4 Pack of Darkness', resulting in a malty selection including a Dark Lager, Brown ale, Porter and Big Imperial Stout.

Since we're hop fiends, we also sample the brand new 'Daddy Needs a New Pair of Shoes' IPA, which immediately hits as one of our favourite IPA's of all time. (Regular listeners will know, that's a massive accomplishment).

We struggle through a couple of technical difficulties (apologies), as we we're still getting used to a new computer system after Sunday Road Brewing and their incredible Imperial Stout finally claimed Simmo's laptop as its first (and final?) victim.

Elsewhere, there just might be a delectable little treat that acts a special postscript to our regular beer tastings. Without giving too much away, Tar Barrel isn't JUST a brewery remember. (Insert wink face emoji).

Thanks Tar Barrel for making delicious alcoholic beverages and Sophie for acting as our beer courier.

https://tarbarrel.com.au/

Cheers to Great Beers!

Reach out to us at our website:

https://borderbarrelspodcast.com/

OR

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/borderbarrelspodcast/

Podcast available on all your favourite podcast platforms.

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3H0aRnh

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3080NIb

We love a Canberra brewery.

So much so that we've returned to Cypher Brewing Co. for a very special sequel episode!

You won't find our usual brewery history report, or overall score index, because this one is entirely "powered by friendship".

The friendship between the Border Barrels crew, as well as our friendship with malt, hops, yeast, water and the magic they create.

We hope you like sours, pastry stouts and mystery beers, because we bloody sure do.

Thanks Cypher for 2 years of epic-ness, and Hudo for purchasing this week's beers.

https://www.cypherbrewing.com.au/

Cheers to Great Beers!

Reach out to us at our website:

https://borderbarrelspodcast.com/

OR

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/borderbarrelspodcast/

Podcast available on all your favourite podcast platforms.

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3H0aRnh

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3080NIb