Each year the Northbridge Brewing Company (and its sister outlet, Whitfords Brewing Company in the northern suburbs) holds a chilli festival over a week in June. Both establishments offer a range of chilli influenced food – and hold competitions as well.

I went along during the festival and indulged myself with Chilli Mud Crab, cooked in the Singapore style – there was a choice of either a whole crab of half – knowing the size half was all I needed.

It came out in a bowl swimming with thick chilli and tomato sauce – and it had quite a kick too – the crab already partially cracked, but with nutcrackers and a meat pick if needed – the latter very handy for sliding the flesh from the legs and claws. Along with the crab a couple of small toasted slightly sweet, soft rolls – just as you get if eating at one of Singapore’s East Coast chilli crab restaurants.

This was a sumptuous (if messy) feast – lovely chilli heat, the crab well-cooked and succulent, and the sauce mopped up with the rolls. ( bib helped keep the juices away from the shirt!)

Right in the heart of Northbridge the NBC is a brewery and pub, and has seating both inside and on a sheltered patio to catch the fresh air, looking out over the piazza.

The usual menu is geared towards standard pub food – fish and chips, burgers and sliders, pizza, wings, steaks, calamari – and all is well turned out and good value – during the chilli festival it hits new heights.

A small wine list complements the house beers on offer – and a couple of glasses of Snake and Herring Prototype Margaret River Cabernet Merlot hit the spot – blackberries, mulberries and herbs on the nose; a smooth palate of plums and a touch of dark chocolate. Easy drinking, indeed.

The Northbridge Brewing Company is centrally located in the heart of the Northbridge strip, turns out good food – especially notable during the festival – the drinks complement the food and the service is friendly and professional and full of smiles. A good place for lunch.