Melbourne brewery Mountain Goat sold its first bottle of beer on October 4, 1997, which means the company is currently celebrating its 25th birthday.
That first beer was Hightail Ale. And a few years back, when I put together a list of the most formative beers in modern Australian brewing history, it was right at the top of my ten selections.
I’ve republished that article on the Drinks Adventures website here.
A hell of a lot has changed in the last 25 years since Dave Bonighton and Cam Hines made what was – at the time – a pretty crazy move: Launching full-flavoured craft beers for an Australian public that weren’t really ready for them yet.
This is a special episode of the Drinks Adventures podcast, produced in partnership with Mountain Goat.
In 2015, the company has acquired by Asahi, which today trades locally as Carlton & United Breweries.
Dave and Cam are no longer in the picture so our guest this episode is Alana Rees, head brewer, who is a veteran of the company – she’s been there since before the sale.
Much of our discussion surrounds the evolution of craft beer in Australia, and of the product mix at Mountain Goat. Hightail Ale is no longer in its core range, having made way for some beers that are a little more in keeping with current trends.
But I asked Alana first up what Goat has planned to mark its 25th anniversary.
Tasmanian whisky stalwart Hellyers Road crowfunds new chapter
World champion gluten-free beer: Two Bays Brewing
A whisky nerd turns pro: Rod Berry of Amber Lane Distillery
Chef Michael Ryan's spirits venture, Beechworth Bitters
F1 star Valtteri Bottas and Corrina Wright of Ihana Wine
Chuck Hahn returns with Chuck & Son's Brewing Co
Stupendous Savagnin with Crittenden Wines
Distillers toast 20 years at April conference
How craft beer turmoil is impacting supplier Bintani
Tarac unveils debut whiskies made for blending
Andrew Caillard MW on his wine opus, The Australian Ark
My whisky ethos: Lark Distilling CEO Satya Sharma
Sparkling shiraz, Australia’s own wine style
Champion cider maker Tim Jones turns hand to vinegar
Drinks trends with Lion innovation director, Chris Moschos
Foraging botanicals with Darwin Distilling
Dr Rachel Barrie, legendary Scotch whisky master blender
Rise of Grenache, with Jimmy Watson winner Hentley Farm
Classifying Australia’s top wines, with Huon Hooke
Professor John Rasko AO, founder Two Doctors Whiskey
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
50 Tastes Of Gray
The Recipe with Kenji and Deb
Walk-In Talk Podcast
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Anne of Green Gables
Gastropod
The Splendid Table: Conversations & Recipes For Curious Cooks & Eaters