Dino curates the craft beers at Herbert’s. Photo: Tenele Conway.
Six taps, six kegs of craft beer, and when the keg is empty, a different beer appears. That’s how they do it at the suburban pub, Herbert’s at Evatt.
It’s a philosophy that owners Kristen and Dino have stuck to from day one. It was a risky move and one that many people told them wouldn’t fly in the Belconnen suburb.
Five years on from that opening day and Kristen and Dino have seen their bold decision take flight, and the doubters are among the converted who attend the bar regularly to be guided by the experienced hands of the duo as to what beer will suit their personal taste.
“Effectively, I try to stick with styles in that I want to have something for everyone, which is hard to do with six taps. I try to always have a lager, a pale ale, a pilsner, an IPA, and then I steer to the more strange beers – sours, darks, and a beer alternative like a ginger beer,” explains Dino.
For many, the lack of continuity and inability to take comfort in the familiar is a confronting prospect, and in less experienced hands, it’s a concept that could easily fail. But for Kristin and Dino, they know their product and they know their customers, and pairing the two together is why Herbert’s exists.
Every element of the bar is intentional and was designed by the owners, Dino and Kristin. Photo: Supplied.
Convincing the locals of the concept was relatively smooth sailing; however, the process of building the bar and opening the doors wasn’t as easy.
A gruelling build, extensive red tape which saw them having to demolish completed projects, and a global pandemic saw the bar open its doors in April 2020. A subtle nod in the Herbert’s logo remains an homage to those arduous times, stating that the bar was established in 2019, which was the intended opening date that was blazoned on their logo and coasters prior to the delays. Dino and Kristin ran with the bungle, and it’s now become an in-joke for those in the know.
It’s not just the beer at Herbert’s that comes under the local, craft ethos. A collection of Australian whiskies features prominently on the menu, with Dino joking that he loves Australian whiskies so much he hasn’t been able to build up a collection at home, so he has to build it at the bar.
“Tasmania is generally known for producing the best Australian whiskies, but there are great producers from all over Australia; South Australian whiskies are spectacular,” says Dino.
“We have an agave whisky from a Jindabyne company called Snowy Mountains Spirits, and it’s phenomenal.”
Overseeing the happenings in the bar that Dino, Kristin and family built by hand is a large mural of their namesake, Herbert Evatt. The Australian politician and youngest-ever Justice of the High Court of Australia may not seem the obvious choice as patriarch of the pub, but Kristin and Dino know what the people want.
“Belconnen people love Belconnen things,” laughs Kristin.
Herbert’s bespectacled face does seem to be the preferable choice when stacked up against Belconnen’s other notable resident, the infamous owl of Benjamin Way.
Herbert’s Mac and Cheese bites from the bar bites menu. Photo: Supplied.
Herbert’s has just launched its winter menu, and Dino credits Kristin’s mum, Deb, as being the heart and soul of the kitchen, to the extent that many locals refer to her as ‘Mum’.
The menu features a range of elevated bar bites, as well as heartier lunches and dinners to accompany your craft brew. A smoky grilled kransky ($18) is served with smoky BBQ or honey mustard dipping sauce. Spicy garlic butter mushrooms ($21) are pan-seared with generous amounts of garlic, chilli and spices, and haloumi fries ($18) are served with a tangy tomato relish.
Dino and Kristin pride themselves on making as much as possible in-house and sourcing local produce whenever possible.
Four types of burgers, including a beef burger ($26), grilled chicken burger ($26), vego burger ($26) and a porchetta burger ($28) feature on the lunch and dinner menu, accompanied by fish and chips ($28) and a schnitzel and chips ($28).
The menu is cleverly designed to complement the food options already available in the suburb, with the traders all working together in the tight-knit community.
“If people come in looking for a pizza, we send them over the way; we already have great pizzas in Evatt,” explains Dino.
Kristin and Mum, Deb. Photo: Tenele Conway.
Dino and Kristin have also been strategic in how they sell their food, opting not to offer takeaway or Uber Eats.
“We want to offer hospitality; we want people to come in and enjoy what we’ve created. From the curation of the drinks to the atmosphere, everything is very important to us. We’re inviting people into the extension of our living room,” shares Dino.
Herbert’s is open from Wednesday to Saturday, with opening hours and food service times varying depending on the day. Head to their website for details. For details on the latest beers on tap, head to Facebook.
Original Article published by Tenele Conway on Region Canberra.
