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

Craft beer is often about the beer.

This episode isn't.

On Wildflower's final day in Marrickville, Chat On Tap headed down to one of Australia's most beloved breweries to find out what happens when a venue becomes something more than a place to grab a drink.

As hundreds of people packed the brewery and spilled out into the street, Dave handed the microphone to the people who knew Wildflower best - the locals, regulars, beer lovers, industry veterans and friends who helped turn this warehouse into a community.

From first dates and Friday afternoon beers to wild fermentation, Belgian influences and friendships formed over countless pints, this episode captures the stories that made Wildflower special.

Because while breweries make beer, it's the people who create the culture.

In this episode:

🍺 The story of Wildflower's final day in Marrickville

🍺 Why this brewery became a pilgrimage site for beer lovers

🍺 The role Wildflower played in Sydney's craft beer scene

🍺 How a niche brewery built such a loyal community

🍺 Stories from locals, regulars and industry insiders

🍺 The unique world of mixed-fermentation and wild ales

🍺 What Wildflower's move means for Marrickville and the Inner West Ale Trail

🍺 Why the best breweries are often about more than what's in the glass

This isn't a farewell to Wildflower.

It's a snapshot of the community that grew around it.

And judging by the turnout, that community isn't going anywhere.

Guests Featured

🍺 Jason Trewin - Inner West Ale Trail

🍺 Coral - @HaveABeerWithCoco

🍺 Darren –-Former brewery venue operator

🍺 Scott – Long-time Wildflower regular

Links

🍺 Wildflower Brewing & Blending

📸 @wildflowerbeer

🌐 wildflowerbeer.com

🍺 Inner West Ale Trail

📸 @innerwestaletrail

🌐 innerwestaletrail.com.au

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

Craft beer doesn’t just need better beer anymore - it needs better storytelling.

This week on Chat on Tap, David sits down with Stephanie Grant from She Loves Craft, a brewery social media strategist helping breweries actually connect with modern drinkers.

If you're wearing all the hats in the brewery, there's no marketing person to fall back on and fear hitting post because it might flop, this ones for you. From brewery identity and community building to Instagram strategy, regulars, content creation and why viral videos never equals customers, this episode is packed with practical advice for breweries, venues and creators alike.

Stephanie shares:

• Why brewery social media often misses the mark
• How breweries can “show their vibe”
• Why simple phone-shot content works
• The importance of knowing your audience
• Why likes and views are overrated
• How breweries can attract more than just beer nerds

Stephanie doesn’t overcomplicate things. Her advice is practical, honest and refreshingly human.

If you run a brewery, venue, bottle shop or hospitality business — or just love the culture around pubs and craft beer — this one’s worth a listen.

Links

🍺 Stephanie / She Loves Craft
📸 Instagram - @shelovescraft
🌐 Website - https://www.shelovescraft.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

Part two of the Hop Harvest Fest crawl sees Boyd Robson back on the Inner West Ale Trail, tackling the final five breweries of Sydney’s freshest beer festival. With higher ABVs, bigger crowds, and a few curveballs (including a sold-out festival beer), this episode dives deeper into the culture, community, and chaos of chasing fresh hop beers across Sydney.

From tiny taprooms punching above their weight to 8.4% double IPAs that test the legs, this is the full Sunday session experience—complete with locals, brewers, and a well-earned final beer at Young Henrys.

• Fresh Hop Chaos (and Big ABVs):
  Kicking off with a 7% IPA before ramping up to Bracket’s 8.4% double IPA, this is not your average Sunday session.
• Inside Kicks Brewing:
  A deep dive into West Coast pilsners, small batch brewing advantages, and how a 70 person venue handled overwhelming festival demand.
• Local Perspective – Ryan (Beers & Bobs):
  What it’s like living in the Inner West beer bubble, Scottish beer culture comparisons, and why proximity can make you take great beer for granted.
• Craft vs Independent Beer Debate:
  A key mindset shift in why “independent beer” might resonate more than “craft beer” for Aussie drinkers.
• Festival Reality Check:
  Sold-out beers, missing XPA kegs at Grifter, and how popularity exceeded expectations within days.
• Final Stop:
  Wrapping at Young Henrys with Jason from the Inner West Ale Trail—discussing turnout, community vibes, and what made this year a roaring success.

Breweries

• Kicks Brewing
  https://www.kicksbrewing.com.au/
• Bracket Brewing
  https://www.bracketbrewing.com/
• The Grifter Brewing Co.
  https://thegrifter.com.au/
• Young Henrys
  https://younghenrys.com/
• Future Brewing
  https://futurebrewing.com.au/
• Mixtape Brewing
  https://www.mixtapebrewing.com.au/

This is the episode that captures what makes Sydney’s beer scene tick -community, experimentation, and a bit of organised chaos. It’s equal parts pub crawl, cultural deep dive, and love letter to independent beer.

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

What is Hop Harvest Fest, and what happens when you try to take on all 9 breweries in two days?

This episode drops you right into the chaos of the Hop Harvest Fest on the Inner West Ale Trail, chasing some of the freshest beer you’ll ever drink.

Fresh hops picked in Victoria, driven straight to Sydney, and brewed within hours. The result? Limited, once time beers across nine breweries in Marrickville and beyond.

This is Part 1 of the crawl. Four breweries down, five to go.

Along the way, David is joined by Cecilia Hollins and Beers with Boydo, plus brewers and locals, as the plan quickly shifts from “structured tasting” to “just keep moving.”

🍻 In this episode:

• What makes fresh hop beers so unique (and why timing is everything)
• The road trip to Victoria to collect hops
• A hazy IPA heavy start
• Why pilsners don’t always taste like you expect during fresh hop season
• The reality of beer tasting (and why even experts get it wrong)
• Is Coopers Pale Ale a craft beer?

🍺 Breweries featured (Part 1):

• Batch Brewing Co
• Philter Brewing
• Sauce Brewing Co
• Mixtape Brewing

If you love craft beer, pub culture, or just discovering the best of Sydney’s Inner West, this is what it actually feels like to do the Hop Harvest Fest - not polished, not perfect, just real.

Part 2 coming next… if we make it.

👉 Explore the trail:
https://innerwestaletrail.com.au/

🍻 Breweries (Hop Harvest Fest Participants)

Mixtape Brewing
https://www.mixtapebrewing.com.au/

Young Henrys
https://younghenrys.com/

Batch Brewing Co
https://batchbrewingco.com.au/

The Grifter Brewing Co
https://thegrifter.com.au/

Future Brewing
https://futurebrewing.com.au/

Bracket Brewing
https://www.bracketbrewing.com/

Kicks Brewing
https://www.kicksbrewing.com.au/

Sauce Brewing Co
https://sauce.beer/

Philter Brewing
https://philterbrewing.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

What is Hop Harvest Fest, and why are Sydney brewers and beer lovers treating it like Christmas?

Recorded at Mixtape Brewing in Marrickville, David sits down with Jason Treuen from the Inner West Ale Trail to break down one of the most unique beer events in Australia, a celebration of fresh hop beers brewed within hours of harvest.

From brewery passports and cult t-shirts to the logistics of getting hops from Victoria to Sydney in a single day, this is your ultimate guide to Hop Harvest Fest.

• What Hop Harvest Fest actually is and why fresh hops matter
• How brewers transport and use hops within hours of harvest
• The “passport challenge”: visit 9 breweries to earn the iconic free t-shirt
• Why fresh hop beers taste different (and why they’re rare)
• Route tips, strategy, and how to tackle all 9 breweries
• The story behind the Inner West Ale Trail and its growth
• Why breweries today are about more than just beer (food, community, culture)

If you love craft beer, pub culture, or just discovering the best of Sydney’s Inner West, this episode gives you everything you need to experience Hop Harvest Fest properly — not just as a pub crawl, but as a celebration of brewing, community, and ridiculously fresh beer.

👉 Explore the trail:
https://innerwestaletrail.com.au/

🍻 Breweries (Hop Harvest Fest Participants)

• Mixtape Brewing
  https://www.mixtapebrewing.com.au/
  
  
• Young Henrys
  https://younghenrys.com/
  
  
• Batch Brewing Co
  https://batchbrewingco.com.au/
  
  
• The Grifter Brewing Co
  https://thegrifter.com.au/
  
  
• Future Brewing
  https://futurebrewing.com.au/
  
  
• Bracket Brewing
  https://www.bracketbrewing.com/
  
  
• Kicks Brewing
  https://www.kicksbrewing.com.au/
  
  
• Sauce Brewing Co
  https://sauce.beer/
  
  
• Philter Brewing
  https://philterbrewing.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