Nice Work Bro!

Like a lot of people, I have travelled the world, worked overseas and (happily) returned to Australia. You drink the local beers of the country you’re in (at least I hope you do) and then return home hoping to find those beers. You do it cos you like them but to also relive that travel experience.

However what brothers Dave and Andrew have done is very much the fantasy of many of us beer drinking types.

After working in the US, they returned to Australia but missed American craft beers so much they decided to start a brewery and make their own US inspired beers. Stuff fantasies are based on. Or at least beer fantasies…

The first thing you notice before entering 2 Brothers Brewery is the fact it’s set in an industrial area of Moorabbin. Not the sort of area you’d expect to visit a brewery. Or at least not the type that doubles as a really cool beer hall.

The first thing you notice when you enter the brewery is the brewing equipment they have shipped in from the US (from a defunct New York brewery). In homage to the US each tank is named after a New York district – Brooklyn, Harlem, Hells Kitchen and so on. Quaint.

The other thing you notice is the size of the brewery. From the front it looks tiny; barely big enough for 20 people let alone beer making equipment. I home brew in my laundry. What on earth do these guys do? But once inside it is rather spacious. And what a great view! Behind the bar is the working brewery itself. There’s something about sitting and drinking your beer whilst looking at an active brewery brewing its brew. Hard to say. Good to do.

The brewery does basic really well. Simple $8 pizzas served on a paper plate (but bloody tasty), and what’s on tap you’re welcome to try if you ask – which is handy as they don’t actually offer a beer paddle option. We made sure we tried everything then settled on a pint of Growler to savour.

2 Brothers is well known for their numerous award winning seasonal beers such as Rusty, Voodoo, Guvnor, Terminator and so on. Being seasonal however means none were currently being brewed. Best you get for now are posters of the beers covering the walls!

Here’s a brief overview of their current brews on tap:

Taxi Pilsner

Very light coloured pilsner. Easy to drink and would go down very well during a beer drinking session on a hot summer’s day. Much more flavour than its pale light colour would suggest!

Growler

American style brown ale. You’d have to brew an American brown ale with all that American brewing equipment wouldn’t you? It’s an extremely good brown ale…malty, slightly hoppy and just a little fruity. Very much enjoyed the Growler.

Kung Foo (Seasonal Beer)

Their current seasonal beer, colour wise Kung Foo is as light as a lager but its taste is a pleasant surprise. Reminded me of numerous craft beers available in Japan, there’s a hint of lemongrass, ginger, grass…the brew is actually classified as a rice lager. Very summery, would go well with a massive plate of sashimi. Not bad at all.

Tabooki (Seasonal Beer)

Not available for tasting, however I have come across this funky named brew at a previous Fed Square Microbrewery Showcase. It’s an African Amber…unique name wise, but taste is more akin to a strong Belgium Ale (8%). Malty biscuit in a glass.

Gypsy Pear Cider

I’d say available more widely around Melbourne than any of their beers, Gypsy Cider is what a cider should be – crisp, dry but with a slightly sweet aftertaste and refreshing. A very decent microbrewery cider if you dig the pear variety.

Unfortunately the brewery is only open Thursdays and Fridays (until late), making it a little difficult to get to, but it really is worth checking out. To assist in drinking their beers, 2 Brothers offers a take home 2 litre bottle (‘growler’) filled with the beer of your choice (also an American inspired concept). As it is tapped draught beer, it should really be consumed within two weeks. Mine, filled with their Growler (no relation) was gone 2 days later. 2 Brothers can refill the growler at any time for $18 making the overall beer drinking, brewery visiting experience just that little more special. 

Now it’s just a matter of finding some time to get back there so they can refill it!

Till then,

Cheers!…Prost!...Salute!...Kampai!