A hipster’s guide to Melbourne’s best craft beer
THERE are so many things that make Melbourne the world’s most liveable city.
Great coffee? Check.
Deconstructed coffee? That too.
Coffee that is actually not coffee but a mix of supposedly health-promoting spices drenched in frothed almond milk masquerading as a latte made by a hipster barista with a man bun and a braided beard? About that … *Nods head disapprovingly because, what even is the point of this question #morelikecofaux #amiright.
Coffee and not-really-coffee aside, let’s not forget Melbourne’s laneways, live music, (un) reliable weather and ravishing culinary scene (see: caters to the world’s largest population of food elitists, ahem, people with intolerances, allergies and broad-spectrum eating afflictions).
And then, of course, there’s that little place called the MCG — AKA the Marvellous Cricket Ground. You might have heard of it.
For the uninitiated, it’s like the Colosseum of the modern age; a temple of beer-soaked worship dedicated to short shorts, oddly-shaped balls and men who are highly skilled at playing with them. Side note; these men also look rather fetching in spandex. Jimmy Bartel, you bewhiskered stud muffin, we’re looking at you.
But perhaps the most Melbourney thing about Melbourne is its beer scene.
We’re a city of hop heads, lagermeisters and beerded brethren.
Our brew culture is so strong we have it on tap; literally. It flows like glistening golden ale from barrel to bottle, delivering crisp, ice-cold satisfaction to those for whom the beer tolls. Which, given the nation’s obsession with the intoxicating amber nectar, is pretty much every person of legal drinking age.
And with dozens of micro and craft breweries, as well as countless pubs, tap houses, brew houses and bars calling this great city home, there’s no shortage of places at which to sample the finest local frothies.
So let’s raise a proverbial pint glass and ‘prost’ to the brewers, beer scientists and barley soda makers; the hardworking hop heroes who have been there for every sporting celebration, birthday bash and baby-Q, and who have supported us through everything from break ups and bad pick-up lines to embarrassing dance floor shenanigans.
Words cannot express our deep love and gratitude for the years of social lubrication and beer-goggles-induced frisky business you have empowered. Nay, encouraged.
You, malt maestros, put the craftsmanship in craft.
In your honour, we have pulled together this guide to Melbourne’s most sessionable small-batch brewskis. Thank you for making us not only the self-proclaimed craft beer capital of the country, but also the world’s most sipable city.
THE BREW BIBLE
Our guide to who’s who in the hop house
PLACES OF CRAFT WORSHIP
Hop Nation Brewing Co
6/107-109 Whitehall Street, Footscray
Craft brewery started in 2014 by winemaking friends Sam Hambour and Duncan Gibson, who opened the doors to their industrial Footscray tap house earlier this year.
Bad Shepherd Brewing Co
386 Reserve Rd, Cheltenham
Date night, Sunday sesh, knock-off beers, birthday celebrations, chore procrastinations. The husband and wife duo behind Bad Shepherd have heard the call of the wiley witbier seductress, and they’re enticing you into her amber embrace with fine craft beer and good ol’ fashioned comfort food. Check out their Bayside brewery and enjoy a cheeky Hazelnut Brown — brewed with real hazelnuts, hazelnut and vanilla extracts and a splash of Frangelico, or a Choc Banana Split. No explanation needed.
Moon Dog Brewing
17 Duke Street, Abbotsford
Pizza from a van. Beer from a glass. What’s not to love about this inner-Melbourne brew bar? Because with craft sips the likes of Old Mate, Mack Daddy and Jukebox Hero on tap, as well as Nash’s Pash Rash, Bock Naked and Bad Boy Bubbly rotating through — there are not only good tastes to be had, but good times as well.
2 Brothers
4 Joyner Street, Moorabbin
In true Aussie fashion, these beer-obsessed brothers commandeered their brewery from the now-defunct Times Square Brewery, bringing a little piece of New York to Melbourne. Get down to their Moorabbin-based beer hall for some live music, food truck Saturdays and a Taxi Pilsner or James (Belgian) Brown, and show your support for the true blue larrikin spirit.
Temple Brewing Company
122 Weston St, Brunswick East
The aim at Temple Brewing Company is to produce a range of distinctive, handcrafted beers that are brewed with passion and dedication to the craft — beer, that it. Their Bicycle Beer, a delectable blend of seven secret hops and spices, is a popular choice among the local two-wheel drivers.
Hawkers Beer
167 Henty St Reservoir
Hawkers is a craft brewery producing mighty ales from one of the most hi-tech facilities in the country. Their beers are so good, in fact, that at the 2016 Australian International Beer Awards they received nine medals. One for every beer entered (#winning). Head to their Reservoir cellar door to get a lick of their seriously sip-worthy selection. Like their Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout.
Two Birds Brewing
136 Hall Street, Spotswood
As the name suggests, Two Birds Brewing was founded in 2011 by, you guessed it, two birds; Jayne Lewis and Danielle Allen. They make the kind of beers that they enjoy drinking — like a Taco Beer, which is brewed using flaked corn, coriander and other marvellously Mexican-sounding ingredients. Get around it, amigos. Head to their Spotswood sip house to sample the full range.
The Boatrocker Brewery
51 Macbeth Street, Braeside
The Boatrocker philosophy is simple; make the best beer possible using the best beer ingredients possible. We dig their bold, full-bodied Hop Bomb IPA. Because hop damn, gurrrrl (or guy — craft beer is all about equal bender opportunity) Now pouring from their Braeside beer hall.
The Public Brewery
13 Lacey Street, Croydon
A microbrewery for cult brew lovers. At this outer eastern gem you get to craft your own beer, with the hands on brewing experience taking you through each step of the beer-making process. The Public Brewery is also home to a boutique bottle and retail shop. A delighful bar and dining area opens out to a paved beer garden complete with a green grassy knoll — it’s a Sunday sesh dream just waiting to come true.
Dainton Family Brewery and Tap House
560 Frankston-Dandenong Road Carrum Downs
A family of dedicated and tragic beer lovers crafting the best, freshest and most sessionable beers they can.
Wolf of the Willows
386 Reserve Road, Cheltenham,
These beer cubs have a passion for producing handcrafted, modern ales that are distinct in quality, flavour and character — what we like to call ‘Ales of Distinction’. Get in touch with your distinguished side and wolf down one some fancy pants craft brews. We’re big fans of the sweet, smooth and smouldering Johnny Smoke Porter.
Wolf of the Willows brewery is co-located with Bad Shepherd Brewing Co.
TOP OF THE FROTHS
3 Ravens
Inspired by the American-style ales of yore, the 3 Ravens range is all about classic combinations. Think subtle spice, stalwart bitterness and rich, earthy aromas. Treat your tastebuds to their Black 55 American Pale Ale and prepare yourself for all the lingering chocolate and coffee notes.
Kaiju! Beer
Devastatingly delicious hand-brewed craft beer inspired by Godzilla and the Power Rangers. The Kaju! family includes a Robohop IPA, Behemoth Black Ale and, our personal favourite, the Hopped Out Red Ale. It’s like a moreish malten lager of complex biscuit toffee and tropical pine.
Himmel Brewing Co
After a few years on exchange in Germany and some seriously good times at Oktoberfest celebrations (OK, we made that bit up), Himmel Hund brewer Annabel couldn’t wait to bring the exotic Eastern European bier tastes back to her home town. Give her Himmel Witbier a whirl. It’s citrus and spice and all things nice.
Barrow Boys Brewing
Sure, Australia could live without another craft beer, cold drip coffee, or stitch and bitch workshop. But North Melbourne’s Barrow Boys really love beer and felt they had to brew and share their own marvellous malt creations.
Hawthorn Brewing Company
In the days of old, travelling merchants crisscrossed the globe, journeying to exotic lands in search of the finest treasures. Following in this bold tradition are the Flavour Merchants of the Hawthorn Brewing Co. From their base in Hawthorn, these intrepid explorers scour the beer world, risking life and limb to bring home the secrets of its best brewers. It is only by trialling and refining these techniques that we are able to create award winning beers of distinction including our Pale Ale, Amber Ale, Pilsner, Witbier, IPA and Golden Ale. Yes. It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it.
Venom Brewing
A small, family-owned brewing company, based in Melbourne that prides itself on making fresh, exciting, yet easy-drinking beer. We think you’ll agree; Venom Beers are deadly good. See what we did there?
You’re welcome.