Border Barrels Podcast

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 off...

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...

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 de...

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 qu...

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....

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-...

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'r...

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...

Well, there's something to tick off the bucket list! When starting our beer journey in podcast form, something we hoped to achieve was being part of a brew day. Thanks to our besties at Mountain Monk Brewers, we were able to make that dream a reality. Our vision board certainly didn't involve a special collaborative beer, nor did it necessarily involve 7 other High Country legends. Most si...

Completing the trifecta of first class Canberra breweries, we finally showcase Fyshwick legends, Capital! The Border Barrels team were generously gifted an all-time care package, containing 7 delicious beers, ranging from an alcohol free pacific ale to a FRESH collaborative New World IPA. There is massive ground to cover this week, as Capital have left a huge imprint on the scene throughout a deca...

This week on Border Barrels, we're celebrating all things GABS and the hottest 100 countdown! We put last years top 5 to our Border Barrels rating test, with some surprising and not-so-surprisng results. We also take a deep dive into past countdowns, reminisce about some of our favourite beers of yesteryear, plus reveal our very own, unique top 5's for the upcoming edition! It's been a long hot su...

It's brewery discovery week in the Border Barrels studio, and Gratzy has supplied the POD with 6 tasty treats from Brookvale's rising stars, Bucketty's! These bigger tasting sessions generally revolve around a brewery we aren't yet familiar with. The most rewarding part is realising that ignorance is entirely our mistake! A stunning Ginger Beer (+ lime) adds a new style to our database, while an X...

Thank goodness Hudson loves a family holiday. More specifically, thank goodness Hudson (seemingly) plans his family holidays around the best breweries Australia has to offer. This week, he takes us inside his journey to Phillip Island, with our booze buds from Ocean Reach Brewing acting as the local guide. This is a rather special episode, with a collection of 3 of the best IPA's we've sampled in...

On this week's episode we take a long-awaited trip to Traralgon's Good Land Brewing Co.! Our journey sees us navigate through a brief history of Jimmy Krekelberg's vision of a cracking brew, followed by 3 big limited beers. Stops include a dessert for a refreshing Salted Lime and Agave Gose, New Zealand for a light, Fuzzy IPA, and pure flavour-town with a delicious, classic West Coast IPA. We also...

They might actually be Giants! Small Gods by name, big beers by nature. For just the second time in Border Barrels history, we cross the ditch to New Zealand for a brewery showcase. Auckland's Small God's stunned our senses with a delicious assault of hops, wheat and extra thicc malts. An orange and clove Belgian dark strong ale takes the number 1 spot for most unexpectedly, awesomely unique beer...

Our love affair with Hargreaves Hill is no secret, and this new episode might just turn that love into a genuine obsession. Once again, Andrew and the crew have supplied the podcast with five stunning, fresh and exciting beers, including some exclusive collaborations and new beer series additions. We learn about Apollo hops, thanks to a beer of the same name. Texas legends Celestial Beerworks get...

We bring you a BIG SHED, from the comfort of our small one. It wouldn't be a Gratzy episode without a brewery from South Australia, and this week we finally take on the legends at Big Shed Brewing. While this might be a rare 'core range only' tasting session, the boys from Old Port Road have been crafting some of the most unique and delicious beers for the better part of a decade now....

We love discovering new breweries through our podcast, and up and comers Noodledoof hit us right in the sweet spot this week. New frontrunners for best brewery name in Australia? Maybe. Us 3 idiots probably need to learn how to to pronounce it correctly first. These dooofus' supplied the podcast with some classic style brews and a humdinger of a twist on the legendary stout. It might be deep i...

This week we pledge allegiance to the hoppiest of nations, indivisible with beers and good times for all. Footscray champions Hop Nation Brewing Co. finally get their very own episode, which we must admit is way overdue. We visit the East and West Coast of IPA land and finish with a descent into fields of Cream and Cookies. A very special collab between Hop Nation and Bright Brewery producing stun...

Murraytowns are officially open for business! That calls for a very special sitdown chat, as we're joined for the second time by Barry and Jodie. Alongside these familiar legends is the third member of the Murraytowns team, Adam. Adam is a wealth of brewing knowledge with an extensive history in the industry. We quickly discovered that it won't be easy finding a more passionate individual...

We've been fortunate on Border Barrels to be gifted interview opportunities, stubbie holders, shirts and most importantly, beer. To be given that important final gift by an OG of the Australian craft beer scene still has us pinching ourselves. The mighty BentSpoke, from our nations capital, supply the POD with 5 core range bangers, including our very first 0% beer, as well as classic experimen...

Holy hell. We love a good discovery as much as a good beer drinking session. Combine the two and it's deadset heaven for the Border Barrels crew. We take a trip via tastebuds to our nation's capital, with new kids on the block at Cypher Brewing. This journey has LEVELS. We ease our way into 6 delicious beers, beginning with a tasty little standard Aussie Pale, concluding with a trifecta of...

It's another brewery introductory episode of Border Barrels, but with an extra boozy twist. Simmo has been busy behind the scenes forging friendships with the legends at AVNGE brewing! What's the aforementioned twist, you ask? SEVEN delicious beers, put to the test by our unique ratings system. Oh, and we recorded at night as well. Far less lawnmower related background noise as a result. C...

( ) We're heading back to the craft beer Mecca, for one of Sydney's finest breweries you may have never tried. The exceptional father-son duo over at Bracket Brewing have been whipping out incredible beers for a handful of hop-filled years now, and the Border Barrels crew have finally done their deep dive. Possibly the greatest Maibock to exist, a fresh West Coast Pilsner and a unique (and...

Hudson's turn to supply beers this week, and we're glad it was his Shout! The puns might be poor, but Shout Brewing's beers certainly weren't. Unlike the standard 3 cans generally on offer, Hudo has supplied the POD with 5 of Shout's finest works, including 4 core range beers and 1 limited edition release. These rising stars from Islington, NSW won't be a best keep secret f...