By Craig Lush
If you’ve been exploring the industrial pockets of Altona lately, you might have noticed some fresh life breathing into a familiar local venue. Tucked away in the old Brew Works site at 22/36 Aberdeen Road, Mog Brewing opened the doors to its new taproom back in February, offering a fresh, community-focused gathering space for local residents.
I recently sat down with co-owner Hamish to chat about the journey he and his brother, Tim, took from a regional setup to establishing their permanent home base here in the West.
Cultivating the craft
The Mog Brewing story started seven or eight years ago on their parents’ farm in Moglonemby (which inspired the name). At the time, Hamish was working in environmental consulting while honing his skills as a home brewer, while Tim was working in marketing. Armed with Hamish’s years of home brewing experience and Tim’s design and marketing connections, they jumped in and Mog Brewing was born. The brothers began gypsy brewing – firstly at The Craft & Co, and later experimenting with larger batches at Hop Nation. Today, they brew their primary 2,000-litre batches at On Point Brewery in Alexandra, while Hamish keeps a 50-litre pilot system handy to test out new recipes.
Finding the perfect spot for their new taproom came down to local connections. The brothers had been selling their beer at West Footscray Farmers Market and the manager there knew the owners of Brew Works were looking for someone to take over the site. She put them in touch. The vibe from that initial meeting was immediate.
Growing into the neighbourhood
For Mog, the taproom is all about fostering community. Their goal is simple: provide a fun, welcoming space with great drinks accessible to everyone.
Though they don’t have a full kitchen yet, they offer bar snacks, host food trucks for special events, and actively encourage patrons to bring in takeaway from local vendors. The community focus extends beyond the walls, too, with the brewery sponsoring a local primary school and a local lacrosse team.
Thursdays feature a members’ night complete with a meat raffle sourced from Charles St Butchers (every beer purchased gets you a ticket). They are also building a reputation for live music, with several successful gigs already under their belt and more on the calendar.
It’s not just beer on offer; the bar is fully stocked with a robust selection of sparkling and still wines, spirits, and cocktails. It has quickly become a favourite pitstop for residents out walking their dogs.
Learning the hard way
Every brewery startup has its share of near misses. Hamish laughed as he shared some of their early learning curves such as the time a regulator malfunction resulted in heavily over-carbonated beers that looked more like an ice cream than a beer.
They’ve come a long way since then, though they haven’t forgotten their roots. Mog still appears regularly at the West Footscray Market. And when festival season rolls around – the business truly becomes a family affair – Hamish and Tim’s dad hooks up a custom-built horse float fitted with an integrated tap system to please the thirsty festival crowd.
On the taps
When it comes to the tap list, Hamish focuses on brews that he likes to drink while making sure there is something for everyone. They have nine beers on tap including a core Pale Ale and Lager, plus a Draught to support the non-craft drinker. They also rotate through sours, hazy IPAs, and darker beers for the colder months.
While I was chatting with Hamish, a regular named Ivan dropped in. A self-professed former VB and commercial draught drinker, Ivan has been converted by the Mog lineup. He started on their Märzen, moved to the Pilsner, and currently rates the Draught as his favourite, enjoying the chance to explore changing styles.
If you’re looking to explore some new flavours yourself, here is a quick sample of what you might find:
- Country Lager: A crisp, European-style lager featuring light floral notes.
- Country Pale Ale: A clean, easy-drinking pale ale built for sessionability.
- Smoked Lager: Features a distinct smoke fragrance on the nose, balanced subtly on the palate.
- Hazy IPA: A smooth, fruit-punch forward pour with a velvety finish.
- Whiskey Stout: A roasty winter warmer delivering a solid coffee hit.
Whether you’re a craft beer aficionado or just looking for a cold draught whilst walking the dog, Mog Brewing has a tap with your name on it. Stop in, grab a pint, and see what the brothers are serving up this week.
