The best Melbourne breweries aren’t just those that make great beer, they are also some of the most fun places to go. From the newest and hipster to the classic and old-school, there is something for everyone at these breweries.
Stomping Ground
The Stomping Ground is a crafty little brewery located in Collingwood, Victoria. It’s not surprising that it has been named as the best small craft beer maker in the country. A visit to its swanky new premises will certainly tickle your taste buds. You can sample the fruits of its labours from the tasting room while nibbling on a plateful of local produce.
There are many things to do in Melbourne, and if you’re in the mood for a beer you’ll find it difficult to go wrong with a visit to this stylish new establishment. From a food truck to rotating taps of handcrafted ales, there is something for everyone. In fact, the brewery is a major draw for locals looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. On a hot summer’s night, a stroll around the grounds is a must. Among the many highlights are the impressive beer hall, and a number of other intriguing venues.
Of course, no tour of the brewery is complete without a sampling of their handcrafted ales and lagers. Besides the obvious brews, there are also a few tipples on offer, including a selection of gins. One of the more notable aspects of the operation is its solar-powered operation, which makes the brews and the brewery itself greener than your average brewery.
Moon Dog OG Brewery
Moon Dog OG Brewery is a craft beer enthusiast’s paradise. With a funky bar and a wide range of craft beers on tap, Moon Dog OG offers a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy with friends or family.
Located on Victoria Street, Moon Dog OG is perfect for a casual evening out. Their selection of brews includes a pale ale, dark ale, lager, and sour beer. It’s also worth considering their wine and cider menu.
Unlike most breweries, Moon Dog OG offers customers an opportunity to create their own labels. They also offer growler fills, single kegs, and cocktails. If you’re looking to take the family, the restaurant is large enough to hold up to seven people.
Moon Dog OG brews a range of beers, including pale ale, lager, sour beer, and the iconic Mack Daddy Dark Ale. Customers can sample these beers by the glass or in their tinnies.
Moon Dog OG is one of Melbourne’s more laid back breweries. Originally opened in 1996 by Jake Uljans and Karl van Buuren, the brewery has a strong international presence.
Thunder Road Brewery
Thunder Road Brewery is the brainchild of Philip Withers. This microbrewery is located in the inner north of Melbourne. It is a brewery whose beers range from the mild to the heavily hopped.
One of its beers, the Full Steam Pale Lager, has a good balance of malt and hops and was a hit with locals. The beer has a 25 IBU.
Aside from brewing, the team is also committed to botanicals. They have planted over 100 rare plants. They have also incorporated solar power, natural gas and other environmentally friendly features.
Among their many offerings, the Caribbean Aged Rum Lager has some interesting characteristics. Besides the rum, this lager is made with rum aged in dark rum.
The brewery also offers a museum of brewing artefacts. They have an impressive collection of beer literature. There are even old keg systems and a photo of James Boag with the Tasmanian cricket team.
However, the best thing about Thunder Road’s brews is its focus on gateway beers. These will be served at the brewery or available on draft or growlers. In the future, Thunder Road will offer more full bodied brews.
Red Hill Brewery
If you’re looking for a brewery that produces good beer, then Red Hill Brewery is the place to go. Its beers are inspired by European styles.
The beer made by this brewery is fresh and full-flavoured. There’s also a great atmosphere. You can enjoy an American-style smoked meats meal, which goes perfectly with their brews.
This brewery offers a range of seasonal and one off beers. In addition, the brewery has a great beer garden.
They produce beers that have the flavour of fresh fruit, such as the Redback Summer Ale. Some of their other great beers are The Strapper, 6 Furlongs and Race Day.
Red Hill is a family run brewing company. It is set on a five acre property with an old house and brewery. It is situated in Red Hill South.
They produce five core beers. These include Kolsch, pilsner, Scotch ale and hefeweizen. The brewery also experiments with wood aged small batch beers.
Aside from producing great beer, they also have great food and an idyllic setting. Their brewery is situated in a former artists’ studio.
Henry St Brewhouse
Henry St Brewhouse is one of the many craft breweries in the inner city. The brewery’s flagship product is the “Monsieur Grey IPA”, a smooth IPA infused with Earl Grey tea. This isn’t the only beer made at the brewery, however.
The company specializes in craft beers, brewed in the heart of Kensington. In fact, the Henry Street Brewhouse was actually founded in a backyard. And not a large one, mind you. A mere 100 litre DIY all-grain brewing system is what they use.
For a small operation, the brewery does have its advantages. There are two areas: an outdoor patio and an indoor bar. They have a good selection of beer and some reasonably priced food options. Some of their signature beers are also available in cans or on draft. As a bonus, the brewery’s aficionado’s can opt for takeout or BYO.
Henry St Brewhouse is a small operation, but it has been well received by the community. It is an ode to the craft brewing heyday of the 90s, with a range of ales and lagers, along with some interesting creations.
Westside Ale Works
Westside Ale Works is a nanobrewery in South Melbourne that produces small batch, hop-driven beers. They’re brewed with Chinook, Columbus and Cascade hops. Their flagship beer is West Coast IPA. In addition to their core line of beers, they also offer a rotating selection of specialty beers and one-offs.
The brews are brewed in a converted warehouse, which also houses the brewery’s tasting room. Twenty of the taps pour Westside beers, while ten feature guest taps, including beers from other microbreweries.
Along with the beer, Westside has a cozy and fun atmosphere. They have a shuffleboard table and a large projection screen. There are also trestle tables for sampling. If you’re hungry, they serve pizza.
They have a bottleshop, with a wide selection of international beers. And they have an extensive barrel program. This includes House-distilled Gin, House-made Apple Cider, and seasonal beers.
They’re a family-owned business. Casey Wagner is a Seattle native. He’s also of Estonian and Indigenous Australian heritage.
They’ve been experimenting with distilling. They’ve also brewed a hoppy gin. Until now, they’ve brewed a pilsner and an IPA.
Mitta Mitta Brewing Co
If you’re looking for some good beer in the Victorian High Country, you may want to try the craft beer from Matilda Bay or a couple of the local breweries. In fact, you could easily fill a day or two with a tour of the region’s top breweries.
For example, the High Country Brewery Trail is a route that highlights the best of the region’s breweries. The trail stretches from the river to the mountains and includes the likes of Billson’s Brewery, Red Duck Brewery, and the Mitta Mitta Brewing Co.
There’s also the Orbost brewery, which specializes in brewing unique, handcrafted beers. They’re all about terroir and using the right ingredients to create a drink that’s just as delicious as it is good for you.
The Hop Terrace Café in Geelong is a Victorian institution. This crafty brewpub uses an innovative 50kw solar system to power its business, and features a taproom with 24 brews on offer. Its menu of artisanal ales is accompanied by local produce and live music on Sundays.
Tallboy & Moose
There are plenty of craft breweries in Victoria, but some of the best can be found out in the burbs. Tallboy and Moose in Preston is a craft brewery and restaurant that opened late last year. The new establishment is the brainchild of two men – Dan Hall and Steve Germain – and offers a great selection of beer and food.
Tallboy & Moose is open Wednesday to Friday from 4pm to 11pm. It will feature eight craft beers, and will also offer takeaway growler fills and ciders. This new establishment also serves food and wine, and has a play area for children.
The brewery is located in an old warehouse. It has a large seating area, a fire place, a ping pong table, and a cool room.
As well as its range of beers, Tallboy & Moose has also created a comprehensive wine list. You can get drinks from a tap, or you can choose from a selection of wines by the glass.
On the menu, you’ll find a variety of Scottish inspired food. Some of the menu items include: smoked yoghurt, Dorito crumbs, cheddar, charcoal smoked chili beef, and a range of beers and ciders.
