Can a country pub save a town?

This week on Chat On Tap, I sit down with Tim Allan, founder of The Local, a platform dedicated to telling the stories of Australia's pubs, the publicans who run them, and the communities that keep them alive.

We chat about why country pubs are so much more than somewhere to grab a beer, the challenges they're facing, and the incredible characters Tim has met while travelling Australia documenting these iconic venues.

Whether you're passionate about pubs, regional Australia, great storytelling or simply love discovering unique places, this episode is for you.

🍺 In this episode:

• Why country pubs matter to local communities
• How The Local was created
• Travelling Australia in search of great pubs
• Preserving Australian pub culture
• Creating content around authentic stories
• The future of country hospitality

🍺 About Tim & The Local

Tim Allan is the founder of The Local, a storytelling platform dedicated to documenting Australia's country pubs, the publicans who run them, and the communities that keep them alive. What started as a passion project has grown into one of Australia's leading pub-focused media platforms, with millions of views across social media.

Follow The Local
🌐 Website: https://the-local.com.au
📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/downatthelocal
📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/downatthelocal
🎥 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@downatthelocal (or search "The Local")
✉️ Email: downatthelocal@gmail.com

Support the show

Episode produced by: WHEN Studios
Follow: @WHEN.Studios,

Insta: @chatontap

Tiktok: @chat.on.tap

YouTube: @ontapchat

Got a Story?

Wanna help us Tap In to a great venue, deal, beer?

Interested in sponsorship?

email us!

Email: hello@chatontap.com

Host: David A. Lennon – @davidalennon
Website: chatontap.com

After promising it way back in Episode 10, we're finally pulling up a stool at Snitch's Bar.

Long-time mate and returning guest Michael Snitch joins me for a conversation fuelled by some of the strangest spirits in his collection, including Italian amaro, Brazilian aphrodisiac liqueur, Greek kumquat liqueur and Chinese baijiu.

We also talk about the evolution of Chat On Tap, why the show is changing direction ever so slightly. The vision has always been capturing the chat over a drink, and so we get into how that is going to look, while still maintaining some industry and beer chat and news.

There's also some big personal news! (I mean, the title probably already gave it away). Snitch reflects on becoming a father, balancing life, friendships and hobbies, and what it's really like when everything changes.

This is a relaxed conversation between mates over a drink and a glimpse into where Chat On Tap is heading next.

In this episode:

• The future of Chat On Tap
• Why we're introducing CHAT and TAP episodes
• Fatherhood and family life
• Snitch's Bar and home entertaining
• Weird spirits from around the world
• Sydney small bar culture
• Podcasts, content creation and community
• Balancing hobbies and growing up

Grab a drink and join us.

Support the show

Episode produced by: WHEN Studios
Follow: @WHEN.Studios,

Insta: @chatontap

Tiktok: @chat.on.tap

YouTube: @ontapchat

Got a Story?

Wanna help us Tap In to a great venue, deal, beer?

Interested in sponsorship?

email us!

Email: hello@chatontap.com

Host: David A. Lennon – @davidalennon
Website: chatontap.com

In this TAP Classic (aka one from the archive), David Lennon catches up with legendary brewer Dr. Charles "Chuck" Hahn and his son Scott Hahn at their new brewery, Chuck & Sons, in St Peters, Sydney.

Chuck's impact on Australian beer is difficult to overstate. From Hahn Super Dry and James Squire to Kosciuszko Pale ale and countless innovations that helped shape modern brewing in Australia, his fingerprints are all over the industry.

At 79 years old, Chuck has done what most people only talk about - come out of retirement to build something new.

Together, Chuck and Scott share stories from decades in brewing, lessons learned from building iconic beer brands, the realities of running a family brewery, and why great beer has always been about bringing people together.

Whether you're a craft beer enthusiast, home brewer, hospitality professional or simply love hearing the stories behind Australian success, this conversation remains one of the most important we've had on the show.

**SIDE NOTE TO LONG TIME LISTENERS - We need to chat around 25 mins in!

🍺 IN THIS CHAT

• Chuck's journey from chemistry student to brewing pioneer
• The origins of Hahn Brewery and James Squire
• Building beer brands that changed Australian drinking culture
• Why Chuck returned from retirement
• Launching Chuck & Sons with his family
• The role community plays in great beer
• Advice for the next generation of brewers
• What's next for Chuck & Sons

FEATURED GUESTS

Dr. Charles "Chuck" Hahn
Founder, Chuck & Sons Brewing

Scott Hahn
Business Director, Chuck & Sons Brewing

📍 Chuck & Sons Brewing
St Peters, Sydney NSW

Follow Chuck & Sons:
Instagram: @chuckandsonsbrewing

🎧 Enjoying Chat on Tap?

Follow the show for weekly conversations with brewers, venue owners, industry leaders and the personalities shaping Australian beer culture.

#ChatOnTap #ChuckHahn #CraftBeer #AustralianBeer #JamesSquire #Hahn #ChuckAndSons #BeerPodcast

Support the show

Episode produced by: WHEN Studios
Follow: @WHEN.Studios,

Insta: @chatontap

Tiktok: @chat.on.tap

YouTube: @ontapchat

Got a Story?

Wanna help us Tap In to a great venue, deal, beer?

Interested in sponsorship?

email us!

Email: hello@chatontap.com

Host: David A. Lennon – @davidalennon
Website: chatontap.com