5 Craft Beer Paddles You Can Try In Melbourne
Who would’ve guessed that a city obsessed with single-origin coffees (and hot chocolates), fixie bikes and foodie culture, would also have a thing for craft beer. But to truly experience Melbourne’s unparalleled selection of micro-breweries and superior taste for hops, your best bet would have to be a sampling beer paddle. More often than not your favourite beer haven will offer this option, with a veritable rainbow of beer right at your fingertips.
AWOL’S GUIDE TO THE REAL MELBOURNE
#1 The Local Taphouse, St. Kilda
Where: 184 Carlisle Street, St Kilda East
The sleek Local Taphouse in St Kilda has always been a revered craft beer venue that taps over 400 local and international beers a year. Craft beer heroes and co-owners of the Local (and its sister venue in Darlinghurt NSW) Steve Jeffares and Guy Greenstone also co-created GABS, or the Great Australasian Beer SpecTAPular. This craft beer festival is held in both Melbourne and Sydney in May, and showcases the very best and bubbliest the world of beer has to offer.
#2 Forester’s Beer & Music Hall, Collingwood
Where: 64 Smith Street, Collingwood
Forester’s Hall combines the very best in late night shenanigans: pizza, music and beer. These guys take their beer very seriously and are ready to answer any and all of your questions on the 32+ beers they have on tap from around the corner or around the world.
#3 Little Creatures Brewery, Fitzroy
Where: 22 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
Although originally from out west in Fremantle, Little Creatures treads the line of being a not so ‘micro’ brewery anymore with the Melbourne dining hall serving up some of the best and brightest pale ales in the country. Their beer paddle features the best Little Creatures has to offer including their famous pale, amber and bright ales.
#4 Matilda Bay Brewing Company, Port Melbourne
Where: 89 Bertie Street, Port Melbourne
Get out the GPS and traverse you way through dead-end streets and bay views to find this hidden Melbourne beer gem. Matilda Bay Brewery Co. operates as a fully operational brewery and bar and you’ll probably spend half a day sampling all they have to offer. Be sure to partake in a sampling paddle or three to get through their long list of ales and lagers.
#5 Mountain Goat Brewery, Richmond
Where: 80 North Street, Richmond
Only open from Wednesday and Friday from 5pm, the Mountain Goat Brewery’s in-house Goat Bar serves up beer and yummy food from right where the magic happens. Saddle up on some couches and dive into saddles of beer (and food!) with some specialty Goat brews on offer at the bar.
(Lead Image: Nicke Stamp/Flickr)
Head to Melbourne with Qantas. If you are flying to Melbourne to taste the craft beer consider staying in a Melbourne hotel which can earn you Qantas Points.
