Part two of the Hop Harvest Fest crawl sees Boyd Robson back on the Inner West Ale Trail, tackling the final five breweries of Sydney’s freshest beer festival. With higher ABVs, bigger crowds, and a few curveballs (including a sold-out festival beer), this episode dives deeper into the culture, community, and chaos of chasing fresh hop beers across Sydney.

From tiny taprooms punching above their weight to 8.4% double IPAs that test the legs, this is the full Sunday session experience—complete with locals, brewers, and a well-earned final beer at Young Henrys. 

• Fresh Hop Chaos (and Big ABVs):
  Kicking off with a 7% IPA before ramping up to Bracket’s 8.4% double IPA, this is not your average Sunday session. 
• Inside Kicks Brewing:
  A deep dive into West Coast pilsners, small batch brewing advantages, and how a 70 person venue handled overwhelming festival demand. 
• Local Perspective – Ryan (Beers & Bobs):
  What it’s like living in the Inner West beer bubble, Scottish beer culture comparisons, and why proximity can make you take great beer for granted. 
• Craft vs Independent Beer Debate:
  A key mindset shift in why “independent beer” might resonate more than “craft beer” for Aussie drinkers. 
• Festival Reality Check:
  Sold-out beers, missing XPA kegs at Grifter, and how popularity exceeded expectations within days. 
• Final Stop:
  Wrapping at Young Henrys with Jason from the Inner West Ale Trail—discussing turnout, community vibes, and what made this year a roaring success. 

Breweries 

• Kicks Brewing
  https://www.kicksbrewing.com.au/
• Bracket Brewing
  https://www.bracketbrewing.com/
• The Grifter Brewing Co.
  https://thegrifter.com.au/
• Young Henrys
  https://younghenrys.com/
• Future Brewing
  https://futurebrewing.com.au/
• Mixtape Brewing
  https://www.mixtapebrewing.com.au/

This is the episode that captures what makes Sydney’s beer scene tick -community, experimentation, and a bit of organised chaos. It’s equal parts pub crawl, cultural deep dive, and love letter to independent beer.

Episode produced by: WHEN Studios
Follow: @WHEN.Studios,

Insta: @chatontap

Tiktok: @chat.on.tap

YouTube: @ontapchat

Got a Story? 

Wanna help us Tap In to a great venue, deal, beer?

Interested in sponsorship? 

email us!

Email: [email protected]

Host: David A. Lennon – @davidalennon
Website: chatontap.com

What is Hop Harvest Fest, and what happens when you try to take on all 9 breweries in two days?

This episode drops you right into the chaos of the Hop Harvest Fest on the Inner West Ale Trail, chasing some of the freshest beer you’ll ever drink.

Fresh hops picked in Victoria, driven straight to Sydney, and brewed within hours. The result? Limited, once time beers across nine breweries in Marrickville and beyond.

This is Part 1 of the crawl. Four breweries down, five to go.

Along the way, David is joined by Cecilia Hollins and Beers with Boydo, plus brewers and locals, as the plan quickly shifts from “structured tasting” to “just keep moving.”

🍻 In this episode:

•  What makes fresh hop beers so unique (and why timing is everything) 
•  The road trip to Victoria to collect hops 
•  A hazy IPA heavy start
•  Why pilsners don’t always taste like you expect during fresh hop season 
•  The reality of beer tasting (and why even experts get it wrong) 
•  Is Coopers Pale Ale a craft beer?

🍺 Breweries featured (Part 1):

•  Batch Brewing Co 
•  Philter Brewing 
•  Sauce Brewing Co 
•  Mixtape Brewing 

If you love craft beer, pub culture, or just discovering the best of Sydney’s Inner West, this is what it actually feels like to do the Hop Harvest Fest - not polished, not perfect, just real.

Part 2 coming next… if we make it.

👉 Explore the trail:
 https://innerwestaletrail.com.au/

🍻 Breweries (Hop Harvest Fest Participants)

Mixtape Brewing
 https://www.mixtapebrewing.com.au/

Young Henrys
 https://younghenrys.com/

Batch Brewing Co
 https://batchbrewingco.com.au/

The Grifter Brewing Co
 https://thegrifter.com.au/

Future Brewing
 https://futurebrewing.com.au/

Bracket Brewing
 https://www.bracketbrewing.com/

Kicks Brewing
 https://www.kicksbrewing.com.au/

Sauce Brewing Co
 https://sauce.beer/

Philter Brewing
 https://philterbrewing.com/

Episode produced by: WHEN Studios
Follow: @WHEN.Studios,

Insta: @chatontap

Tiktok: @chat.on.tap

YouTube: @ontapchat

Got a Story? 

Wanna help us Tap In to a great venue, deal, beer?

Interested in sponsorship? 

email us!

Email: [email protected]

Host: David A. Lennon – @davidalennon
Website: chatontap.com

What is Hop Harvest Fest, and why are Sydney brewers and beer lovers treating it like Christmas?

Recorded at Mixtape Brewing in Marrickville, David sits down with Jason Treuen from the Inner West Ale Trail to break down one of the most unique beer events in Australia, a celebration of fresh hop beers brewed within hours of harvest.

From brewery passports and cult t-shirts to the logistics of getting hops from Victoria to Sydney in a single day, this is your ultimate guide to Hop Harvest Fest.

•  What Hop Harvest Fest actually is and why fresh hops matter 
•  How brewers transport and use hops within hours of harvest 
•  The “passport challenge”: visit 9 breweries to earn the iconic free t-shirt 
•  Why fresh hop beers taste different (and why they’re rare) 
•  Route tips, strategy, and how to tackle all 9 breweries 
•  The story behind the Inner West Ale Trail and its growth 
•  Why breweries today are about more than just beer (food, community, culture) 

If you love craft beer, pub culture, or just discovering the best of Sydney’s Inner West, this episode gives you everything you need to experience Hop Harvest Fest properly — not just as a pub crawl, but as a celebration of brewing, community, and ridiculously fresh beer.

👉 Explore the trail:
https://innerwestaletrail.com.au/

🍻 Breweries (Hop Harvest Fest Participants)

•  Mixtape Brewing
   https://www.mixtapebrewing.com.au/
  
  
•  Young Henrys
   https://younghenrys.com/
  
  
•  Batch Brewing Co
   https://batchbrewingco.com.au/
  
  
•  The Grifter Brewing Co
   https://thegrifter.com.au/
  
  
•  Future Brewing
   https://futurebrewing.com.au/
  
  
•  Bracket Brewing
   https://www.bracketbrewing.com/
  
  
•  Kicks Brewing
   https://www.kicksbrewing.com.au/
  
  
•  Sauce Brewing Co
   https://sauce.beer/
  
  
•  Philter Brewing
   https://philterbrewing.com/

Episode produced by: WHEN Studios
Follow: @WHEN.Studios,

Insta: @chatontap

Tiktok: @chat.on.tap

YouTube: @ontapchat

Got a Story? 

Wanna help us Tap In to a great venue, deal, beer?

Interested in sponsorship? 

email us!

Email: [email protected]

Host: David A. Lennon – @davidalennon
Website: chatontap.com

Looking for your next great beer? In this bonus episode of Tapped In, Bev shares five must-try craft beers that are easy to find, full of character, and perfect whether you're just getting into craft or deep in the game. From creamy stouts to hazy IPAs and even a wild sour bonus pick this is your cheat sheet for what to drink next. 

•  Why Batch Elsie Milk Stout stands out as an all-time favourite (nitro, creamy, chocolatey) 
•  A discussion on how West Coast IPAs are evolving and why Akasha’s Corbin D still hits old-school 
•  Why Seeker Mystic is one of the most drinkable hazies in Australia right now 
•  The divisive but fun world of peanut butter beers (and why temperature matters) 
•  The underrated brilliance of a well-made lager with Chuck & Son’s 
•  Bonus: A gateway into modern smoothie sours with One Drop 

🍺 Beers & Breweries: Here’s your full hit list 👇

• Batch Brewing Co. – Elsie Milk Stout
  Instagram: @batchbrewingco 
• Akasha Brewing Company – Corbin D IPA
  Instagram: @akashabrewing 
• Seeker Brewing – Mystic Hazy IPA
  Instagram: @seekerbrewing 
• Bad Shepherd Brewing Co. – Peanut Butter Porter
  Instagram: @badshepherdbrewingco 
• Chuck & Son’s Brewing Co. – Old World Lager
  Instagram: @chuckandsonsbrewing 
• One Drop Brewing Co. – We Jammin’ (Smoothie Sour)
  Instagram: @onedropbrewingco

Episode produced by: WHEN Studios
Follow: @WHEN.Studios,

Insta: @chatontap

Tiktok: @chat.on.tap

YouTube: @ontapchat

Got a Story? 

Wanna help us Tap In to a great venue, deal, beer?

Interested in sponsorship? 

email us!

Email: [email protected]

Host: David A. Lennon – @davidalennon
Website: chatontap.com

Beers, Brotherhood & Building Community with Bevan Giffin

In this episode of Chat on Tap, host David A. Lennon sits down with beer reviewer and community builder Bevan Giffin at the Pyrmont Point Hotel for a deep dive into craft beer, content creation, and the power of connection.

From tasting notes to mental health, this episode explores how a shared love of beer can turn into something much bigger — a genuine support network.

•  How Bevan became “the beer guy” — from travel to tasting panels 
•  Why local breweries are the best way to understand a place 
•  The power of consistency: 365 days of beer content 
•  Inside the craft beer community — why it’s different (and better) than most industries 
•  The rise of “Frothy Moco” — blending beer culture with mental health support 
•  Why pubs still matter as a space for real conversations.
• Who owns your 'Australian' beer? Article referenced: https://craftypint.com/who-owns-your-beer 
• Why buying Indie matters.

🍺 Beers & Venues

•  BentSpoke Crankshaft IPA (what we were sipping) 
•  Seeker Brewing X Garage Project (best collab for Bev) 
•  Pyrmont Point Hotel  (where we sat)

Check out Bevans work on instagram @bevan_giffin

Episode produced by: WHEN Studios
Follow: @WHEN.Studios,

Insta: @chatontap

Tiktok: @chat.on.tap

YouTube: @ontapchat

Got a Story? 

Wanna help us Tap In to a great venue, deal, beer?

Interested in sponsorship? 

email us!

Email: [email protected]

Host: David A. Lennon – @davidalennon
Website: chatontap.com

What if you could find the perfect sunny spot for a beer anywhere in the world?

This week on Chat on Tap, David sits down with Richard Hatcher - the creator of Sunny, a web app designed to help you track down pubs with beer gardens, outdoor seating, and even plan your next pub crawl.

From a throwaway idea in London to building a working app using ChatGPT (with zero dev background), this is a story about creativity, curiosity, and just giving something a crack.

You can check the web app here - https://sunnypubs.app/ 

Recorded over a couple of cold ones at the Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre in Marrickville. 

• 15 Years -> 3 days
  Richard first had the idea for Sunny while living in London and chasing rare moments of sunshine and a cold beer. It stuck in the back of his mind for over a decade before he finally acted on it. 
• Building an App Without Being a Developer
  With no coding background, Richard used ChatGPT to bring the idea to life, learning how to prompt properly, iterate, and think like a builder. 
• From Concept to Reality
  While spread out over time, the actual build only took around 3 days of focused work, showing how accessible building something has become. 
• What Sunny Actually Does
  A global map-based app that helps you find pubs with outdoor seating, beer gardens, and even auto-generates pub crawls based on your location. 
• Creative Projects vs Business Pressure
  Richard shares why he’s intentionally kept Sunny as a passion project (for now), focusing on building something he personally enjoys rather than rushing monetisation. 

Tapped In (Recommendations):

•  Queens Wharf Hotel (Newcastle) — waterfront pub with unbeatable views 
•  MONA (Hobart) — outdoor lawn beers overlooking the river 
•  Bowling clubs transforming greens into beer gardens — a win for communities 

Beers:

•  American Amber Ale (Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre) 
•  Patio Pale (Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre) 

Episode produced by: WHEN Studios
Follow: @WHEN.Studios,

Insta: @chatontap

Tiktok: @chat.on.tap

YouTube: @ontapchat

Got a Story? 

Wanna help us Tap In to a great venue, deal, beer?

Interested in sponsorship? 

email us!

Email: [email protected]

Host: David A. Lennon – @davidalennon
Website: chatontap.com

In this Chat on Tap Bonus Pour, we chat to Beau Curtis who is the founder and head brewer of The Social Brewers in Mortdale, Sydney, for a guided tasting of the core lineup.

From crisp lagers to hop loaded limited releases, this episode is a walkthrough of what’s pouring at one of the St George region’s most exciting breweries.

•  The philosophy behind a great “gateway beer” lager and why simple done well is powerful 
•  Breaking down a Pacific Ale built for Aussie conditions - Galaxy hops, sessionable and refreshing 
•  Inside the Forest Road IPA - an “Anglo-American” hybrid balancing malt richness with US hops 
•  The story behind Death Valley Double IPA (8.2%) - a limited birthday release with experimental hops 
•  How small-batch brewing allows for creativity, risk-taking, and one-off beers that don’t last long

Check out The Social Brewers 

https://thesocialbrewers.com.au/ 

Follow them on Instagram @thesocialbrewers

Are you loving the bonus beer content? Let us know what you'd like to hear about next on email - [email protected]

Or follow @chatontap on instagram

Or are you a YouTuber? @ontapchat

Episode produced by: WHEN Studios
Follow: @WHEN.Studios,

Insta: @chatontap

Tiktok: @chat.on.tap

YouTube: @ontapchat

Got a Story? 

Wanna help us Tap In to a great venue, deal, beer?

Interested in sponsorship? 

email us!

Email: [email protected]

Host: David A. Lennon – @davidalennon
Website: chatontap.com

What happens when a corporate marketer decides to open a brewery in a part of Sydney with no craft beer scene? And what does it really take to keep it alive?

In this episode of Chat on Tap, Dave heads to Social Brewing in the St George area to sit down with founder and head brewer Beau Curtis. What starts as a conversation about beer quickly turns into a deeper chat about risk, resilience, and building something from scratch.

• The jump from corporate marketing into running a brewery
• Why opening in a “craft beer wasteland” was both a risk and an opportunity
• The reality of running a brewery - long hours, low margins, and constant pressure
• How a cardiac arrest reshaped Beau’s perspective on time and taking chances
• Marginal gains and why consistency beats luck in business
• Building a strong local community and loyal taproom culture

Chapters are auto generated

00:00 Intro – Social Brewing, St George
 01:10 Meeting Beau & early beer chat
 03:20 The St George craft beer scene
 05:10 Building a local brewery community
 06:10 From corporate marketing to brewing
 08:05 Starting the brewery journey
 09:30 The reality: “You’ll never work harder for less money”
 10:20 “If not now, then when?” mindset
 12:50 The daily grind of running a brewery
 14:00 Learning to brew & refining recipes
 15:00 Marginal gains & consistency
 16:30 Staying in the game
 17:45 The tough days in business
 19:00 The acid cloud disaster
 22:20 The moments that make it worth it

🍺 Tapped In — St George Edition

A look into the St George craft beer scene and surrounding breweries:

• Sunday Road Brewing (Kirrawee)
• Shark Island Brewing (Cronulla)
• Hairyman Brewery (Cronulla)
• Club Rivers (rotating craft taps)

Episode produced by: WHEN Studios
Follow: @WHEN.Studios,

Insta: @chatontap

Tiktok: @chat.on.tap

YouTube: @ontapchat

Got a Story? 

Wanna help us Tap In to a great venue, deal, beer?

Interested in sponsorship? 

email us!

Email: [email protected]

Host: David A. Lennon – @davidalennon
Website: chatontap.com

In this Chat on Tap bonus episode, David sits down with Kirk from 2 Halfs Brewing & Distilling to dive into one of Belgium’s most iconic beer styles — the Tripel.

Fresh off the previous episode with Matt the Craft Beer MC, this chat explores how Tripel Day came about, what makes the style so unique, and why it’s often called the “king of beers.”

Despite sitting around 8% ABV, Tripels are known for being dangerously drinkable — and Kirk explains how yeast, malt and brewing technique create that balance of strength and elegance.

Kirk also explains the philosophy behind his brewery-distillery hybrid and how a small operation in Alexandria is producing everything from Belgian-style ales to house spirits and fruit seltzers. 

• What Belgian Tripel actually is — and why it drinks smoother than its high ABV suggests
• How Tripel Day started and the role Matt the Craft Beer MC played in it
• The flavour profile of a classic Tripel: yeast-driven character, fruit notes and deceptively strong alcohol
• Why Belgium’s beer culture — from glassware to serving temperature — is still the gold standard
• Inside 2 Halfs Brewing & Distilling and how the brewery + distillery operate side by side

If you’ve ever wondered what a Belgian Tripel actually tastes like — or why brewers revere the style — this short bonus episode is a quick crash course from someone who’s been brewing them for decades.

It’s also a glimpse into one of Sydney’s most interesting small producers.

Episode produced by: WHEN Studios
Follow: @WHEN.Studios,

Insta: @chatontap

Tiktok: @chat.on.tap

YouTube: @ontapchat

Got a Story? 

Wanna help us Tap In to a great venue, deal, beer?

Interested in sponsorship? 

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Email: [email protected]

Host: David A. Lennon – @davidalennon
Website: chatontap.com

What happens when a Newcastle beer fan becomes the Australian ambassador for International Tripel Day? And what exactly IS a Belgian Tripel? Don't worry, David didn't know either until today. 

In this episode of Chat on Tap, Dave sits down with Matt Chester “Craft Beer MC” at Two Halfs Brewing in Alexandria to talk Belgian Tripels, the global craft beer community, and how an Instagram beer page turned into friendships around the world. 

• Why the style is usually 8–9% ABV
• The history of Tripels and their roots in Belgian brewing
• The rise of Craft Beer MC – Matt’s journey from macro lagers to running a global beer Instagram community with thousands of followers.
• International Tripel Day explained – what a Belgian Tripel is, why it’s such a legendary beer style, and how Matt became Australia’s ambassador.
• Beer trades & Beerstagram culture – swapping beers across countries to try rare brews you’d never find locally.
• Global craft beer friendships – connecting with beer lovers across the US, Canada, the UK, and beyond.

00:00 Intro – International Tripel Day at Two Halfs Brewing
01:05 Meet Matt – Craft Beer MC origin story
02:10 First craft beer experiences in the US
03:15 The global craft beer Instagram community
05:30 Beer trades explained
08:30 Meeting through Instagram
10:10 Rare beers and international trades
12:10 Becoming the Australian Tripel Day ambassador
15:10 What exactly is a Belgian Tripel?
16:40 First time drinking a Tripel
18:00 Tapped In – Newcastle beer venues
21:00 Pub pick – The Clarendon Hotel
22:20 Matt’s day job outside beer
23:40 The Craft Beer MC birthday T-shirt story
24:40 Outro 

Tapped In – Newcastle Edition
Matt’s top venues to visit if you’re heading to Newcastle:

• Shout Brewing
• Method Brewing
• Grainfed Brewing
• The Clarendon Hotel (pub pick)

Venues & Breweries Mentioned

Two Halfs Brewing – Alexandria, NSW
Shout Brewing – Newcastle
Method Brewing – Newcastle
Grainfed Brewing – Newcastle
The Clarendon Hotel – Newcastle
Slow Lane Brewing – Botany, NSW

International breweries referenced:
Tree House Brewing
Trillium Brewing
The Alchemist Brewing

This episode is a perfect snapshot of what craft beer culture is really about — community, sharing great beers, and meeting people you’d never otherwise cross paths with.

From Belgian Tripels to beer trades and Beerstagram friendships, this chat shows how one simple beer page can open doors around the world.

Recorded at Two Halfs Brewing, Alexandria NSW

Episode produced by: WHEN Studios
Follow: @WHEN.Studios,

Insta: @chatontap

Tiktok: @chat.on.tap

YouTube: @ontapchat

Got a Story? 

Wanna help us Tap In to a great venue, deal, beer?

Interested in sponsorship? 

email us!

Email: [email protected]

Host: David A. Lennon – @davidalennon
Website: chatontap.com