“The brewpub model has proven itself to be the right model over the last few years.”

Few people have been through as eventful a few years as Dave Padden. The founder of Akasha Brewing spearheaded a successful crowdfunding campaign in 2022 which enabled the acquisition of two new venues, only for one of them to later close overnight, followed by a period in voluntary administration, and a subsequent merger with fellow Sydney operation Wayward.

Soon afterwards, both businesses were acquired by the Powder Monkey Group, a UK-based operation whose Australian wing, headed by Southern Highlands Brewing founder Ben Twomey, now owns all of the above plus Willie the Boatman.

Confused? You’ve every reason to be, but help is at hand.

Dave is now the GM for Powder Monkey Australia, so we joined him at the soon-to-open Powder Monkey brewpub in Camden to find out how the brands are working together within the group, as well as what its founders’ goals are – both here and overseas.

We also trace his time in the beer industry, from the pioneering 77 and 777 IPAs he created at his first brewery, Riverside, to the recent roller-coaster at Akasha. And we explore his approach to brewing while seeking his thoughts on the state of the wider industry.

There was plenty for Will and James to discuss in this week’s intro too: the launch of HPA’s new hop Luna; Cheeky Monkey’s plans for a fourth venue; Loam and Voyager’s success at the 2026 Malt Cup; the launch of the Cross Keys Hotel in Newcastle; and Stoic’s acquisition of Bass Point Brewing in Shellharbour.

In fact, so much has happened in the week since our last show that we even forgot to talk about the launch of the lineup for our very own festival, Pint of Origin… Speaking of festivals, look out for a High Country Hop Technical Symposium preview with festival founder Ben Kraus midway through the show.

Start of segments:

• 0:00 – Intro
• 18:55 – Dave Padden Part 1
• 38:50 – The High Country Hop Technical Symposium
• 42:16 – Dave Padden Part 2

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