Otter's Promise

This classy little venue on High Street Armadale is doing the bottle shop/bar hybrid thing well. Dan Taranto, formerly of 5 & Dime Bagels, has brought a really great range to an area pretty devoid of delicious beer. Expect a great selection of modern, local styles, all chilled for drink-in or takeaway. Think bright and cheerful offerings from Abbotsford’s Bodriggy – like their lactose and mango Space Milk sour – and Moon Dog’s new trio of mullet-wearing celebrity cans Melon DeGeneres, Billy Ray Citrus and McGuava. There’s also six taps for those fancying a stay, pouring mostly Victorian ales from places like Torquay’s Blackman’s Brewery and Preston’s Tallboy and Moose. Wrapped up in a shop of exposed brick and rustic timbers, it’s got a little more going for it than you might expect for a bottle shop.