At the start of the year, we posted an article offering thoughts on many aspects of the craft beer scene in Australia today.
One thought was that we would likely see more gypsy or contract brewing operations open a home of their own: somewhere they could showcase their beers but that would also give them a physical home, a place to develop their brewing company's personality.
And now two of the best loved personalities in the Melbourne beer scene are doing just that, as Frase and Grum from Exit Brewing open a bar in Richmond with a mate of theirs who many who frequent the city's craftier bars and breweries will know, David Pike.
It's to be called Uitgang Bar, with Uitgang being the Dutch and Flemish word for Exit – a reference to their inspiration for starting out in brewing, Belgium.
The bar will have ten taps, of which four will be pouring Exit, one is dedicated to KAIJU! (whose brewery they use to make Exit beers) and five others on rotation.
They plan to cover as broad a range of styles as possible across the taps and bottles and will have a beer garden and open food policy that allows punters to order in food from restaurants along Bridge Road.
The bar at 406 Bridge Road opens to the public from April 6. However, if you're a Crafty Pint supporter, you could be there a day early as they've given us five spots for Crafty Cabal members at the VIP function the day before (April 5).
Frase did want to run a competition to win those spots, for which you'd have to answer two multiple choice questions:
- What is the greatest brewery in the world? a) Cantillon b) Cantillon c) Cantillon
- According to Frase from Exit, which of the following is the worst crime perpetuated on the public in the name of public transport ? a) Boeing 737 b) Melbourne's C Class Trams c) The MYKI system
As it is, Cabalistas can enter the ballot via their member's area and we'll notify winners on March 31.