The Source at MONA
CUISINE Modern Australian
WINE LIST Felix Stoffell, Ilo Pilve, Joshua Webb & Louis Lieu
WINEs ON LIST 1600 (31 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$$ ($55-$13 by the glass)
It’s a rarity to see a national restaurant of prominence treating beer as seriously as it does wine. The Source at MONA has the most exciting selection in the country for the second year in a row. Its “Beer Bible” takes you on a journey across 12 countries and 72 beers over nine tempting pages, favouring small craft brewers.
There is an Italian “ancient” ale, based on the chemical analysis of ancient beer vats and grains found on an archaeological dig. There is a German-style pilsner from up-and-comer Victorian, Hawkers Beer. The aptly named Hardcore IPA from Scotland’s Brewdog boasts more hops and bitterness than any other UK-brewed beer. Super-hip saisons mix with classic English ales, wild-fermented sour beers brewed with wine grapes and super-spiced Belgians. Beers by Moo Brew, the resident MONA/Moorilla Estate brewery, are available by draught as are an ever-changing trio of featured brews.
The Source is also one of the very few restaurants in the country with a selection of beers in large format bottles, from 750ml up to three litres. Clearly, it attracts a lot of thirsty customers.