Odd Culture Is Darlinghurst's New Sour Ale and Natural Wine Bar

Owners of The Taphouse — one of Sydney's most awarded craft beer venues — brothers James and Josh Thorpe know a thing or two about running a specialist beer house. And with this wealth of experience in mind, the duo has announced the arrival of their latest venture, Odd Culture.

Opening on The Taphouse's second level, Odd Culture will be an adaptive drinking experience with a rotating menu of Australia's finest craft beers and natural wines. From twenty beers on tap to twelve wines and Australia's largest bottle list of wild ales and sour beers (over 100), there'll be something new to drink every time you drop in.

When the doors open, some of the taps that will greet you include a wild fermented cherry ale from Marrickville's Wildflower Brewing and Blending, Wild Cider from Tasmania's acclaimed Two Metre Tall and Garage Project's Dinky Pinky Rhubarb and Strawberry barrel-aged sour.

After the brothers bought The Taphouse in 2017, they carried on the venue's already established reputation as one of Sydney's best spots to try out the best of independent Australian beers. Similarly, Odd Culture aims to provide an accessible space that'll also stays respectful to the art of beer brewing. The long list of beers and wines are complemented by cocktails — such as Odd Culture's signature Sour Negroni, made with house-made tart vermouth — sodas from PS40 and a neat lineup of snacks.

Food is antipasto-led and will also rotate, with a "revolving door" of cheese, cured meats and tinned seafoods on offer. If you're looking for something heartier, burgers and toasties on thick-cut sourdough are available, too.

At Odd Culture, beers connoisseurs will feel at home with the venue taking its cues from historic beer and wine farmhouses. Peeling back the existing paint, subtle colours emerge while rustic antique furnishings fill out the space. Those looking to expand their beer knowledge can join fortnightly meet-and-greets with brewers and winemakers, the first one being held with Konpira Maru Wine's Alastair Reed and Bridge Road Brewers' head brewer James Dittko on Wednesday, August 15.

Showcasing a diverse selection of wild fermented ales, sour beers, and natural and sustainable wines, the drinks list is a collaboration between two widely respected beer nerds Jordan Blackman (Chin Chin, Ananas) and Tom Evans (ex Royal Albert, Wayward). There's no printed tap or wine list, but once you arrive, there's little chance you're going home disappointed.

Find Odd Culture at Level 2, The Taphouse, 122 Flinders Street, Darlinghurst. It is open from 5pm–midnight Mon–Wed, 5pm–1am Thur, 12pm–1am Fri–Sat, and 12p–11pm Sun.

Images: Jasper Avenue