KAIJU! Beer doesn’t need a massive introduction. The brewer’s well-known KAIJU! Krush is a popular tropical ale with a striking can design that you’ve no doubt seen on your local bottle shop’s shelf.
Founded in Melbourne’s south-east by brewers Nat and Callum Reeves, the team are about to open the beer’s very own beer hall and pizzeria. KAIJU! Cantina will call a 445 square metre Huntingdale warehouse home and feature 16-taps flowing with beer.
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“Huntingdale might not seem like the most obvious place for a beer hall, but it makes sense when you get to know our background,” said KAIJU! Beer and Cantina co-founder Callum Reeves.
“Nat and I grew up in Melbourne’s South East, and ever since Nat started home brewing at his place in Dandenong, we’ve dreamed of having a taproom in the area. We love going to explore and experience the inner north, but we just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to bring a new type of venue to this part of town. It really means a lot to us.”
KAIJU! Cantina will feature an on-site six hectolitre brew kit that will allow the brewers to create limited edition and one-off brews. Upon a visit, expect to be able to tear into KAIJU! Krush Tropical Pale Ale, and the team’s Aftermath Double IPA. Non-beer drinkers will also be catered for with locally made wines, spirits, alongside non-alcoholic options.
On the food side of things, Chef Jay Jafari is behind the scenes where the menu will reflect his vast experience in kitchens across Frances, the U.S.A, and Canada. The menu will focus on pizza with a Cheeseburger pizza one of the stand out items to look forward to.
Murals in the KAIJU! Cantina space have been painted by Mikey Burton—the man behind KAIJU! Beer’s legendary can designs—with a 12-metre panorama of the Melbourne skyline the centrepiece.
KAIJU! Cantina can be found at 27 Hume Street, Huntingdale. It’s close to Huntingdale Station and opens on February 9, 2022.
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