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

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Episode produced by: WHEN Studios
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Host: David A. Lennon – @davidalennon
Website: chatontap.com