Chat On Tap

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

Support the show

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)

Support the show

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.

Support the show

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 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

Support the show

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

Chat On Tap is back for 2026, and it makes perfect sense to kick off the year with  co-host Cecilia Hollins and a cracking NZ Red IPA in hand. Host David A. Lennon dives straight into the big beer conversations shaping Australia right now, from the fallout of GABS to Australia’s soaring beer prices and the eternal craft vs macro debate.

Recorded at the unofficial “Mazza Hotel” in Marrickville, this episode features some beer news, "You've Got Ale" listener questions, Pub Quiz (once again testing the US education system), and the teachings of tall poppy syndrome. And hey craft beer lovers, what are your thoughts on Budweiser? 

1️⃣ Mountain Culture’s Four-Peat & Tall Poppy Syndrome

Mountain Culture Beer Co wins GABS’ Hottest 100 for the fourth year in a row with Status Quo, sparking debate about dominance, independent breweries, and whether Aussies love cutting down success. And what's up with GABS going forward?

2️⃣ Australia’s Beer Prices Are Among the Highest in the World

With Australia ranking in the top 5 most expensive beer countries for 2026, David and Cece unpack excise tax freezes, shrinkflation in pub pours, and why a six-pack in the U.S. feels criminally cheap by comparison.

3️⃣ You've Got Ale - Send in your questions and comments to [email protected], or DM on the instagram page @chatontap. 

Should you stock your fridge with your favourite beer when overseas? Listener Luke has taken great offence to his mother-in-laws Budweiser habit

4️⃣ Brewery Food: Keep It Simple

Food trucks > fancy degustation. The verdict? Crispy chicken wings, burgers, and rotating food trucks win at breweries. Overcomplicate it and you risk missing the point — beer and community first.

👤 Guest – Cecilia “Cece” Hollins

Cecilia Hollins is a regular Chat On Tap co-host and a American-Turned-Proud-Aussie. She brings a unique cross cultural lens to pub culture and craft beer. Passionate about community, approachable beer styles, and making craft more accessible, Cece offers sharp takes on everything from GABS politics to fruit-forward pilsners. She’s also not afraid to defend Budweiser - when necessary.

Chapters are Auto Generated

00:00 Welcome Back to Chat on Tap
02:54 Holiday Beers
05:34 GABS
08:58 You've Got Ale
11:42 Brewery Food Menus and Recommendations
14:54 Family-Friendly Breweries and Experiences
17:44 Traveling and Beer Recommendations
20:32 Pub Quiz 
33:26 Wrap-Up and Future Topics

🍺 Venues & Beers Mentioned

Venues

• Thirstville Bottle Shop – Marrickville, NSW
• Hawke's Brewing Co – Marrickville, NSW

Breweries & Beers

• Mountain Culture Beer Co – Status Quo
• The Grifter Brewing Co – Serpent’s Kiss (Watermelon Pilsner)
• Balter Brewing Company
• Single Fin
• Colonial Brewing Co
• Budweiser

Support the show

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

Surprise! One last episode for 2025, and it's a Christmas Special! We are joined by fan favourites Cecilia Hollins and Matt Baseley for a festive natter about what makes an Aussie Christmas what it is.

When does Christmas actually start?
From Thanksgiving traditions in the US to the first Test match signalling Aussie summer.

The summer of cricket
Learning cricket as an adult, Test vs T20 vs ODI, favourite formats, and why Boxing Day is sacred.

Christmas drinking decoded (Tapped in)
All-day beers, family beers, breakfast beers, and what to bring when you don’t know anything about beer.

Wine & whisky for hosting
Easy crowd-pleasers, BBQ wines, and which bottles should be hidden from guests.

Festive pub culture & traditions
Christmas Day at pubs, catered Christmas lunches, cold vs hot Christmas, and why New Year’s rarely lives up to the hype.

and Double Pub Quizzes to see out the year.

Grab a drink and your favourite holiday sittin' spot and whack your headphones in for a Chat on Tap Chrissy special.

Thank you once again for all your love, listening and support in the past few months! I am so excited to bring the podcast back in 2026 and have you there along for the ride!

Stay safe and CHEERS

David

Support the show

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

This episode is pure energy! Our guest is a man who embodies joyful beer enthusiasm: Boyd Robson, the creator behind the YouTube channel Beers with Boydo. 

An infectious travel-vlogger-meets-pub-crawler, Boydo is exuberant, wholesome, hilarious and insightful. He joins us at Batch Brewing Co. in Marrickville ahead of an Inner West Ale Trail pub crawl, an area Boydo is not yet familiar with. David challenged himself to see if he could find the best Beers to have with Boydo

• How the Beers with Boydo channel started.
• Creating content in public: awkward stares, tips for overcoming fear, hilarious pub encounters, and the infamous drunk lady on the Paddington rooftop.
• Best beer moments: drinking on top of Mount Kosciuszko, travel episodes in Bali, Wellington & New Caledonia, and the joys of the unexpected.
• Do garbo's really get xmas beers?
• Tapped in, Boydo’s top recommendations: the best Sydney spots for German & Czech lager
• Pub Quiz

00:00
Introduction to the Pub Crawl Experience

06:01
How Beers with Boydo started

11:40
Navigating the Beer Scene: Insights and Experiences

17:51
The Art of Filming in Public Spaces

23:47
Tapped in - European Lagers in Sydney

29:47
The Pub Quiz Challenge

Venues Mentioned

• Batch Brewing Co — @batchbrewingcompany
• Tommy’s Beer Café (Glebe) — @tommys_beer_cafe
• Una’s (Darlinghurst) — @unasrestaurant
• Concordia Club (Tempe/Marrickville) — @concordiaclubmarrickville
• Wildflower Brewing & Blending — @wildflowerbeer
• Beach Road Hotel (Bondi) — @beachroadbondi
• Hero of Waterloo — @theheroofwaterloo
• PJ O’Brien’s Sydney — @pjobrienssyd
• Criterion Hotel Sydney — @criterionhotelsydney

Beers

• Batch West Coast IPA
• Anaya Amber Ale (Batch Brewing)
• Carlton Draught
• Pilsner Urquell
• Budvar
• Černovar Dark Lager
• Czech Cut (Pilsner+Dark)
• Rothaus Pils
• Balter XPA
• Mt Kosciuszko Pale Ale
• Great Northern Super Crisp
• Guinness

6. Credits / Sponsors

• Venue: Batch Brewing Co — @batchbrewing
• Guest: Boyd Robson — @beerswithboydo (YouTube + Instagram)
• Host: David A. Lennon — @davidalennon / @chatontap
• Podcast: Chat on Tap
• Production: WHEN Studios
• Support the show: Follow, share with a mate, and leave a rating. 

Support the show

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

This week on Chat on Tap, David Lennon is joined by hospitality all rounder, legendary wedding MC, and certified pub thinker Austin Andrews-Little. Over a perfectly poured Guinness, the pair chat hospo life, pub problem solving, beer festivals gone rogue, and why sometimes the best reason for a beer… is simply being thirsty.

Plus;

• Turning around tough customers and why everyone should work in hospo at least once
• Wedding MC chaos, family speeches, and setting the tone early
• The rule of three
• Is the round dead?
• Movember / Frothy MoCo Update – final total!
• Pub Quiz – Beer-drinking legends through history 

You’ve Got Ale – Send us your questions, recommendations or feedback on Instagram @chatontao or email: [email protected]

• Top three reasons for a beer
• Hangover cures (including a controversial Vegemite appearance)

Tapped In – Deals, venues, and genuinely good pub incentives

• Four Pines Manly – $7.50 pint & fries (4–6pm)
• Henry G’s (Manly Corso) – $12 martinis Mondays
• Busta (Manly) – $30 pasta + wine deal
• Hawke’s Brewing Co. – 49% off “chuck a sickie” promo days

Auto-Generated Captions

00:00 – Welcome to Chat on Tap
01:05 – Splitting a Guinness properly
03:10 – Wedding MC chaos & setting the tone
05:15 – Life in hospitality (the wins & the grind)
08:00 – Craft beer vs core range classics
10:20 – Pub Quiz: Beer drinking legends
15:25 – You’ve Got Ale (listener questions)
19:50 – Pub meals & hangover cures
24:40 – Tapped In: pub deals & venues
29:35 – Pub Quiz answers
33:45 – Closing time

Host: David A. Lennon

• Guest: Austin Andrews-Little
• Production: WHEN Studios
• Sponsor: Oasis Brewing Co.
• Contact: [email protected]
• Instagram & YouTube: @chatontap @t

Beers & Venues Mentioned

Beers:
Oasis Brewing – proud supporter of Chat on Tap, Guinness, VB (Victoria Bitter), Lagers, Pilsners, Core range brewery beers

Breweries & Venues:
Oasis Brewing, Hawke’s Brewing Co., Four Pines Manly, Henry G’s Manly, Busta Manly, Little Creatures Fremantle & Elizabeth Quay, Gage Roads Brewery, Freshwater Brewing Co., Sporting Globe Barangaroo, Mountaineer Wharf Bar

Support the show

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

David Lennon goes solo for a special Movember episode, recording from his favourite solo beer spot at the Harlequin Inn. One mic, one Guinness, and a personal challenge to just talk. No co hosts, no guests.

• Tapped in - the solo pub experience: David shares his go-to solo beer spots around Australia and why the humble solo pint can be comforting, grounding, and reflective.
• Who is your host? A personal story touching on radio life, nicknames (David / Squiggle / Lenno), music, sport, and how Chat on Tap came to be.
• Ask Me Anything: Listener questions covering first drinks, favourite beers, dream pubs, cats, F1 gaming rivalry, and some very Australian history.
• Movember challenges: Running 120km in November, recording a solo episode, and deliberately pushing outside comfort zones. All care of The Frothy Moe Co.
• Why checking in matters: Practical mental-health conversations, including real examples of how simple messages can cut through.

Tapped In:

• Harlequin Inn (Pyrmont, NSW)
• Hopsters (Enmore, NSW)
• Bayview Hotel (Gladesville, NSW)
• Squires Landing (Sydney Harbour, NSW)
• Transport Bar (Melbourne, VIC)
• Moondog World (Melbourne, VIC)
• Sixes and Sevens (Brisbane, QLD)
• Sunshine (Brisbane, QLD)
• Harry’s Bar on Grenfell (Adelaide, SA)
• Scarborough Beach Bar (WA)
• The Mighty Quinn (WA)
• Rosemount Hotel (Perth, WA)

This is one of the most personal Chat on Tap episodes yet. Honest, slightly awkward, funny, and reflective – it’s less about beer reviews and more about what happens when you sit with a drink and let yourself actually talk. Perfect listening for a solo beer of your own.

Proudly sponsored by Oasis Brewing Co. 

Special thanks to everyone who supported the Frothy Moe Co, and the wider Movember cause.

https://movember.com/m/14033699?mc=1 

If this episode resonated, share it with a mate – or better yet, check in on one.

Support the show

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 episode, David Lennon is joined once again by resident legend Cecilia Hollins — this time recording remotely from their very own Home Taverns. The spotlight today is on a true giant of Australian beer: Dr. Charles “Chuck” Hahn, the brewing mind behind Hahn Super Dry, James Squire, Kosciuszko, and more.

Chuck and his son Scott Hahn sit down at the Chuck & Sons Taproom in St Peters to talk legacy, craft beer culture, a lifetime of brewing, and the birth of their new family-run venture - at 79 years old! If you've ever had a cold one in this country… chances are The Godfather of Craft Beer Chuck had something to do with it. 

This ep is for anyone who loves craft beer.

• Father & Son Partnership: Scott shares what it’s like to continue his dad’s legacy and why Chuck can never really “retire.”
• Inside the Tasting Panel: David explains how Chuck & Sons use a curated panel (including him!) to shape new releases — and why feedback matters more than ego.
• Building a New Brewery Brand: How Chuck & Sons approached identity, community, and balancing tradition with modern craft expectations.
• The Future of Chuck & Sons: Wholesale goals, new beers in development, and what excites them most about the next chapter.
• To street drink, or not to street drink.. 

Tapped In

• The Native Rose (Rozelle) offering $6.50 house beers/wines or $30 wings + jug.
• Cece’s pick: Lord Wolseley Hotel (Ultimo) — Sydney’s narrowest pub, sunny street corner vibes, and Sunday jazz.
• A shoutout to Sydney Brewery Rozelle, now occupying the former White Bay site
• Chuck & Sons Taproom, St Peters — @chuckandsonsbeer

Pub Quiz

Cece takes on general knowledge. What did the U.S school system actually teach her?

Chapters (auto generated)

00:00
Introduction to Legends in Brewing

02:57
Craft Beer Recommendations and Experiences

05:50
Tapped In

09:08
The Impact of Outdoor Drinking Culture

11:55
The Legacy of Chuck Hahn and Family Brewing

17:42
The Journey of Chuck and Sons Brewery

23:43
Craft Beer Identity and Community Engagement

27:37
The Spark of Brewing Passion

29:50
Crafting a Family Legacy

31:49
The Importance of Feedback

33:33
Tasting Panels and Community Engagement

36:49
Future Aspirations and Growth

38:35
Creating a Unique Taproom Experience

41:43
Craft Beer and Personal Connections

45:33
The Evolution of Beer Tasting

49:24
Fun Trivia and Closing Thoughts

Beers / Breweries

• Chuck & Sons: Two World Pale Ale @chuckandsonsbrewing
• Chuck & Sons: Pilsner
• Chuck & Sons: American Amber
• Chuck & Sons: Alpine Hazy IPA
• Chuck & Sons: Super Deluxe Stout
• Dangerous Ales — Uncle Damo’s Oath Stout — @dangerous.ales
• Good Pair Days Beer Box — @goodpairdays
• Sydney Brewery Rozelle — @sydneybreweryrozelle
• Hahn Super Dry — @hahn_au
• James Squire / Malt Shovel Brewery — @jamessquiree
• Kosciuszko Brewing — @kosci_beer

Support the show

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