Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
BARS & BREWERIES FOR BEER SNOBS
Until recently, thirsty Melburnians were given the choice of only two or three mainstream beers on tap (and per-
haps an interstate lager if one was feeling adventurous). But the last few years have seen the emergence of micro-
breweries and craft-beer bars - primed to meet the demands of beer geeks who treat their drinking more seriously.
The two biggest events on the Melbourne beer calendar are
Good Beer Week
(
www.goodbeerweek.com.au
)
and the
Great Australasian Beer SpecTAPular
(
www.gabsfestival.com.au
)
; both held in May, they showcase
local, national and foreign craft beers.
Aussie Brewery Tours
( 1300 787 039;
www.aussiebrewerytours.com.au
;
incl transport, lunch and tastings $150) will help you get around with a tour of
several inner-city breweries and iconic pubs.
The following microbreweries in Melbourne produce their beer on-site and have a bar for sampling the goods:
Mountain Goat Brewery
(
www.goatbeer.com.au
; cnr North & Clark Sts, Richmond; 5pm-midnight Wed &
Fri; 48, 75, 109, Burnley) In Richmond's industrial backstreets, this local brewery is set in a massive
beer-producing warehouse, with $11 tasting paddles, pizzas and free tours on Wednesdays. Head down Bridge
Rd, turn left at Burnley St and right at North St.
Temple Brewery
( 03-9380 8999;
www.templebrewing.com.au/
; 122 Weston St, Brunswick East;
5.30-11pm Mon-Thu, noon-11pm Fri & Sat, noon-9pm Sun;
1, 8) Try a seasonal craft brew at this classy
brewery with a brasserie.
Matilda Bay Brewery
( 03-9673 4545;
www.matildabay.com.au
; 89 Bertie St, Port Melbourne;
11.30am-10pm Tue-Thu, to 11pm Fri & Sat; 109) Great selections of beers brewed on-site, which you can
sample among production equipment. Free tours on Saturdays.
03-9810 0064;
www.portlandhotel.com.au
;
127 Russell St, Melbourne;
noon-late;
86, 96) Brewery tours on demand
(though avoid lunch and dinner rush) of this much-loved beer producer.
Carlton & United Breweries
(
Click here
) Certainly not craft beer, but a must for beer lovers.
Some bars worth checking out for their speciality beer include the following:
Local Taphouse
(
Click here
) One of St Kilda's finest establishments for craft beer.
4pm-late Mon-Thu, 2-11pm Fri-Sun; 78, 79, Windsor) This no-frills bottleshop-bar keeps things real in
Chapel St. Grab a boutique beer from the fridge at cost price ($5 corkage for bottled wine) and take a seat at one
of the Laminex tables. Also has craft beers on tap (takeaway fill-ups available) and BYO food.
en parma $25;
11am-late Mon-Fri, noon-late Sat & Sun;
Parliament) A huge selection of Victorian craft
beers to accompany its 15 different kinds of chicken parmas.
Slowbeer
( 03-9421 3838; 468 Bridge Rd, Richmond; 2-8pm Mon-Wed, noon-9pm Thu-Sat, noon-8pm
Sun; 48, 75) Part craft-beer bottleshop, part bar, Slowbeer is a great place for a casual afternoon brew. Buy a
beer and enjoy it in-store (corkage fees apply) or get a takeaway growler (old-style 1.89L reusable bottle) filled
with your choice of tap beer.
Alehouse Project
( 03-9387 1218;
www.thealehouseproject.com.au
;
98-100 Lygon St, East Brunswick;
3pm-late Tue-Fri, noon-late Sat & Sun;
;
1, 8) Brunswick bar for beer snobs to convene and compare
