It doesn't seem that long ago that I sat down on the cushions in the front window of Grumpy's Green and tucked into a bottle of a beer called Alpha Queen.
The beer was the first release from a new contract operation called Boatrocker: hoppier than most pale ales doing the rounds at the time and with a bolder malt character too, thanks to the use of Maris Otter specialty malts.
Yet, apparently, that was nearly a decade ago – where does the time go...?
It's fair to say Boatrocker have come a fair way since then, opening their own brewery and then Australia's first dedicated Barrel Room, winning multiple major trophies (and quoting Rik Mayall in front of the gathered industry when accepting one of them), bringing distilling under their banner and releasing many much-loved beers.
So there's plenty to celebrate when the founders, Andrea and Matt Houghton, throw a party over an entire weekend at their Braeside Barrel Room.
The festivities run from April 5 to 7 and look rather a lot like this:
FRIDAY
Digging for Fire BBQ from 3.30pm to 9pm, with a DJ playing party tunes
SATURDAY
Mark and Leicia from Pambula Oyster Co will be slinging Australia's best oysters, while Kansas City Bills BBQ serve up BBQ fare, and Emile Battour Music plays a couple of acoustic sets. Normal hours are extended until 9pm so you can make the most of the last night of daylights saving.
SUNDAY
Tuck into Vietnamese delights from Nem N' Nem from midday to 6pm, while Emma Yarosh provides Sunday vibes and happy tunes. And, from 3pm they'll be cutting a birthday cake from Deb Lieu Bakes.
On the booze front, there will be special beer flights, spirit flights, new spirits (Bier de Vie anyone?) and tap beers (including a Barrel Room only Anniversary Ale) designed to make your head spin, spirits to knock your socks off, and cocktails too.
