A woodsy setting for an unsurpassed whisky and craft beer collection. There’s plenty of expertise here, but it’s not intimidating – quite the opposite, in fact. Come join the club.
Let’s start with the name. A Boilermaker is a shot of whisky followed by a beer chaser, and that tells you plenty about the fuel that stokes the fire of this CBD haunt. Sure, you can get a cocktail, but a list nudging 700 different types of whisky that’s also rocking a serious sub-major in craft beers is a contender for Melbourne’s best-in-show in the brown drinks department. Brought to a former kebab shop in Melbourne’s Little Athens by the Speakeasy Group (the bar maestros behind Eau de Vie), it’s one helluva confident package, and a safe space to start exploring this fashionable chapter of the drinks world.
Whisky, of course. Rather than assuming a degree of expertise, the encyclopaedic list (known rather ominously as “The Anvil”) is arranged intuitively by flavour rather than region or country. Expect headings such as “big belters”, “Ma’s fruit loaf”, “salty sea dogs” and “spice traders” to take the pressure down a notch or two. Haven’t got a spare three hours to read the fine print? The more user-friendly short list covers a still-impressive 30-plus whiskies along with seven Boilermakers. On that note, beer and whisky together might sound like the recipe from a frat-house party but the combination actually conjures new flavours – and each one is served with a small bite to eat that enhances the flavour.
The obsessive love of the wee dram is so irresistible it should come with a public health warning. Even if you arrive at Boilermaker House intending to drink their (admittedly excellent) house cocktail, Colada Nights, you may well find yourself two hours later nursing a single malt from the Tasmanian highlands while earnestly discussing the effects of maturation process in American oak sherry wood.
Jump on the whisky bandwagon by signing up to a masterclass. Deep dives include Whisky 101 for absolute beginners, a tour of Scotland, and old and rare whiskies ranging from big names to obscurities. Whichever way you leap, you’ll emerge equipped with all the expert knowledge to dazzle your friends and random strangers on PT. You can also book a group dinner with all courses matched to boilermakers, craft beer or whisky. Bottoms up.
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