Beer with the Brewer: Richard Watkins

Known for pushing the boundaries of his craft, we recently caught up with twice crowned Australian Champion Brewer, Richard Watkins to find out the secret of BentSpoke’s Brewing Co.’s success.

Known for pushing the boundaries of his craft, we recently caught up with twice crowned Australian Champion Brewer, Richard Watkins to find out the secret of BentSpoke’s Brewing Co.’s success.

Indeed, the renowned Canberra craft brewery, which Richard opened with his partner Tracy Margrain in 2014, coveted an impressive six spots in the most recent GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers Poll including Crankshaft at No. #3 – a top place it’s held for three consecutive years.

Luckily for Craft Cartel Liquor, we are among the first to get our hands on Richard’s latest creation, a Flanders Red by the name of Flemm. You’ll find two cans of this barrel aged sour in your BentSpoke Brewing Co. Pack! Read on to discover the inspiration behind BentSpoke’s latest release.

What was the beer that made you want to brew?

It actually wasn’t a beer back in 1988, it was home brewing and the need to try and have beer with flavour. In Sydney Lord Nelson and Hahn Brewery had taken off so there was a sprinkling of good beer filtering through. But brewing your own at home was definitely the start for me.