Melbourne is one of the best cities for craft beer in Australia! There are a plethora of excellent craft beer pubs in this city; this could be seen as both a blessing and a curse!
Below are some of our favourite pubs and breweries in and around Melbourne. They have a wide range of beers in bottles and on tap, not only that they have knowledgeable staff that can help you pick the best beers to try.
Thunder Road Brewery
The Thunder Road Brewery is known for their unique and complex beers. They have a Coconut Porter which has been brewed with coconut, cacao nibs and vanilla essence to produce rich and dark flavour.
Another favourite is the Agave and Yuzu Saison, this is brewed using Saison yeast and then infused with agave syrup.
The bar serves a huge range of beers that are hard to find anywhere else.
Not only that you are right in the middle of the brewery, so you drink your beers and admire the whole brewery process right in front of you.
Address: 130 Barkly Street, Brunswick VIC 3056
Temple Brewing Company.
The Temple Brewing Company is located right in the heart of Brunswick. It has one of the best beer gardens in the city to enjoy your brew.
Their range has everything from pales ales, pilsner, IPAs and American stouts.
Every day they fire up their smoker and barbecue, so you have to try their smoked pork belly or grilled chicken burger.
You can also take a tour of the brewery, it can be educational but also turn a little bit messy!
Address: 122 Weston Street, Brunswick East VIC 3057
The Crafty Squire
The Craft Squire is home of the James Squire Brewhouse and well worth a visit!
They have a variety on tap including their renowned pilsner, pale Ale and porter. Depending on when you go, you may get to sample the seasonal flavours.
These seasonal flavours include; The Chancer, a golden ale with a slight bitterness and tropical fruit aroma or the Jack of spades which is a complex porter with hints of chocolate and coffee.
Address: 127 Russell Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Moon Dog Brewery and Bar.
The Moon Dog Brewery is the pride and joy of three Melbourne brothers. It’s what might be one of Melbourne’s most eccentric brew bars. It may have a small selection of craft beers, but they all excel in flavour.
We recommend the Pilsner, but now and then, they have some crazier brews on tap, some past favourites have been the truffle and watermelon (separate flavours, could you even imagine this combination).
They usually also have some delicious food trucks out front!
Address: 17 Duke Street, Abbotsford VIC 3067.
The Terminus Hotel
The Terminus Hotel in Fitzroy has had one of the impressive facelifts we have seen. It has fresh decor, beer lists and food menus!
With one of the best steak menus in Melbourne, it gives you another reason to head over and try their tap list (which now has over 16 options)
Address: 492 Queens Parade, Fitzroy North
Tallboy and Moose.
The Tallboy and Moose is run by a Canadian and (very very) tall Englishman. Within the year of being open, they produced 52 different beers! You have to try there classic Cream Ale as well as one of these experiments such as the Ping Tang (a sour grapefruit beer).
Make sure you pick up a cowler, similar to your regular growler but this is a 1 litre can of beer. Make sure you also go hungry!
There is a Scottish restaurant inside the brewery which serves up some of the best burgers in Melbourne. Don’t worry; this isn’t any haggis on the menu!
Address: 270 Raglan St, Preston
The Craft & Co.
The Craft and Co is the mecca of craft beer. It has everything from a brewery to a distillery, eatery and cellar. They have all the usual suspects on tap, but what sets it apart is the beer ageing process.
The head brewer uses Amphora terracotta vessels for ageing his beer; this allows for greater interaction with the environment in the fermentation.
Their signature beer is the Sigora Amphora which is a pilsner-style beer which is light but has a sweetness and soft spices.
Address: 390 Smith St, Collingwood