Australians are famous for drinking beer – the problem was that for a long time the beer we were drinking was boring.- I mean sure it did the job until the 1980\’s for 98% of Australians, a mass-produced pale lager was all we drank! Thankfully times and beers have changed. Now the country is home to some amazing craft breweries pumping out some amazing brews. Check out our Melbourne favourites from our resident craft beer brewer and enthusiast Hugo.
Hop Nation
Those in the neighbourhood of Footscray say West is Best. Hop Nation Brewing Co. certainly helps their cause. The brewery offers 15 taps of glorious beer like The Kalash, a Russian imperial stout, that is partially aged in bourbon barrels or The Dawn, a double Neipa that is hazy, hoppy juicy but importantly very very drinkable.
Moon Dog OG/ Moon Dog World
If weird and wonderful beers are your jam then your need to get familiar with Moon Dog. The Dog crew has just opened arguably the most ambitious expansion by a craft beer company in Australia. Moon Dog World in Preston features 72 taps, a hidden tiki bar and is so massive that a waterfall and lagoon make us part of the space. If it all sounds like too much you can head to Moon Dog OG- their original site where it all began 10 years ago. Barrell aged candy-inspired stouts sit alongside Bloody mary brewed ales and nostalgic ice-cream inspired brews.
The Incubator- Fixation Brewing Co.
Lovers of hoppy beers shouldn\’t leave Melbourne without a trip to The Incubator– The brewing site of Fixation Crewing Co. an offshoot of beloved Independent Beer label Stone & Wood. These guys are \’fixated\’ on IPA\’s – in fact they are Australia\’s first IPA focussed brewery. They have a phenomenal core range there experimental and seasonal brews are where they really shine.
Burnley Brewing
A brewpub that was just awarded Australia\’s Best new craft brewery. If these guys make an average beer I\’m yet to try it. Michael, the Head brewer trained in Germany and his lagers good enough to make the Germans worried. Their coffee brown ale is also a favourite and there are always a killer sour on tap.
If this all sounds like too much to organise yourself check out our Hidden Bar Tour. John and the team run tours to many of these great venues and more as well as Day trips to some of our other favourite out of town breweries, cideries, wineries and gin distilleries in the Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula.
