Tap Takeover at The Old Canberra Inn (est. 1857)
As the old yarn spins, Earth Beer Company was invited to bring a range of 6 of its brews to the famous old craft beer pub and they excitedly obliged. They brought down a selection of beers such as our core range Rising Sun Pale Ale, Fruit Tree NEIPA, Dark Moon Brown Ale & Aussie Organic Lager. Along with these, their seasonal release Mango Weisse Bier and limited release Nebula Hazy IPA came along for the long journey to the capital from the Northern Rivers, NSW. Here's a short blog on our experience at this wondrous venue, the oldest pub in Canberra.
As I approached this old establishment in the suburb of Lyneham for the first time, I could feel a sense of fascination take over me. It was plain to see that this heritage-listed building is enriched with history. The scenes of Australiana couldn't be more beautifully cliche. A sloping tin roof, main bar steeped with hardwood rafters, well-trodden timber floorboards and fire places aplenty to warm your loins in the chilly winters. An array of large gum trees perches, perfectly placed, around the beer garden. This pub is a maze, and like an illusion, is much larger than it first seems. Each room has been carefully repurposed to suit its modern day needs yet has retained its rustic charm. From the old serving hall now turned seating area, lined with canvas malt sacks hanging from above to help insulate it. To the old horse stable that now acts as a beer garden with a table tennis table to entertain the kids & parents alike. Vintage furniture and artefacts of a time that passed were carefully placed throughout. A history in photographs & newspaper articles lined up all around the old establishment, proudly displaying its rich timeline front & centre. It feels like a novelty museum where you can enjoy a cold craft beer on the self-guided tour.
As I descend upon the bar, I meet the many bar staff who serve the thirsty patrons their delicious selection of beers day in, and day out. Pouring with the perfect amount of froth, dancing around one another with clinical precision, high fiving & greeting many of the pundits by name. It's not the bar crew's first rodeo. Always a smile on their faces, their stoke is plain to see and it's undoubtedly clear they love working in this old pub and with one another. It's beautiful to witness and something not overly common these days in hospitality. The place is becoming abuzz with chatter, laughter and music. A fantastic blues band, who looked like they had transported straight from the late 60's Cream era, set the place alight. An incredible & ever-changing modern-day craft beer selection, today featuring Earth Beer Co., pours a'plenty. As I gaze upon the crowd, I see an eclectic cross-section of folks of all ages, from musicians to hipsters to retirees to young families to puppies to beer lovers, all who have dawned on this great old watering hole it seems to pay homage. This unique pub, which has without a doubt superseded all expectations, is like a melting pot where days long past meet modern times. If the walls could talk.
All in all a magical experience. Our beers received wonderful feedback and were drained by the parched punters in record time, with all but 2 of our 6 kegs selling out in a matter of hours, which was quite hard to fathom but very flattering. If you're ever passing through the ACT, this place is a must-visit with guaranteed delicious pub grub, transitional and well-procured craft beers, great tunes and even better vibes. We can't wait to be back 🍻