The Beer Spot

Overview

The overarching mission of Northcote's newest pub is to make great beer accessible to everyone. They do so by offering a spread of 40 different varieties on tap and banning the word "craft", a term often associated with hipsters and beer wankers. Nevertheless, through the combination of an onsite barber, guest food trucks and kitschy beer listings, The Beer Spot happens to float closer to that 'hipster' label than anticipated.

The beer mecca is located behind an Asian health outlet and liquor store along Northcote Rd. Parking is restricted to six parks though spill off can be found behind the old Pizza Hut next door. Acknowledging the traditional hunting ground of beer drinkers, the theme is garage; industrial lighting fixtures snake overhead, grey concrete makes up a large part of the surrounding walls, vintage couches line the perimeter, a collection of bar leaners inhabit the floor space and outdoor tables are made from large cable spools. That onsite barber is sandwiched in the corner, tri-coloured barber pole and all.

In addition to the detailed beer bible on hand, the wall boasts a list of unconventional descriptions suited to the requirements and taste of each drinker. There's 'I'm New to This' for up-in-the-air amateurs, 'Designated Driver' listing low alcohol varieties, 'Totes Sessionable' for elongated drinking sessions, 'Double Penetration' for higher kicking double IPAs, and plenty of others. Further particulars to make beer more accessible include smaller serving sizes starting at 350mls, a godsend if you happen to make the wrong decision. The smaller servings begin at the generous price of $2.50, while larger glasses start at $7.50. On offer you'll find crowd favourites from Epic, Mike's and Behemoth, as well as some final keg runs and rarities like Liberty's Alpha Lord and Mash Palace Uranium Breath. It should also be noted that all 40 beer varieties are from local producers and the list evolves consistently, making every visit an exciting one and your mission to try every available tap near impossible.

The most promising attribute of The Beer Spot is that it also operates as an off-license fillery, offering all 40 beers on tap to be taken away in 750ml bottles, purge and pressure-filled to keep the beer as fresh as the day you bought it.

Instead of utilising their own food license, the bar enlists food trucks to hawk their goods from the carpark. The initiative is hugely popular and a new vendor will be on hand each week, keeping things fresh and giving you another excuse to come back on the regular.