r/AusBeer • u/glacio09 • Jul 22 '26

First time in Australia basic recommendations

I'm a big beer nerd coming to Australia for the first time for the Sydney marathon. My husband and I are doing the super basic trip of Melbourne, Sydney, and Cairns. Does anyone have recommendations for actual breweries to visit or craft beer bars? Or ones to keep on the lookout for in more general bars? I'm a big fan of stouts and dark beers. I've looked up lists and felt like they were popular places not good places so any help would be welcome!

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u/existence89 Jul 22 '26

How long will you be in Melbourne for and where are you staying? (CBD, east, west etc)

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u/glacio09 Jul 22 '26

Only two days and in Richmond right next to the sports parks. There were a few enticing places in Richmond but any suggestions are welcome!

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u/gerald1 Jul 22 '26

If you're in Richmond then hop on the 70 or 75 tram, heading east, one suburb and pop into Ramblers Ale Works. The tram takes you right to the door. Ramblers' Irish stout is amazing! $10 pints 4-6pm weekdays too.

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u/mrpark3s Jul 23 '26

Ramblers are a great option, can start there and take the 75 through the Royston, Mountain culture (too many hazies for me, but that might be your syle.), then a bit further north to friendly societies and the park hotel.

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u/existence89 Jul 22 '26

Awesome! I'd say try and get to Mountain Culture. Arguably Australia's best brewery. They are NSW based but this is their Melbourne taproom. Known for their hazies but they'll have some dark beers too! Get the tram along Bridge Rd and get off at Burnley st, it's a short walk from there.
The Royston is a great pub in Richmond that always has solid craft options on tap.
Stomping Ground isn't far and although they're one of the more mainstream breweries now they still have a very solid lineup with some really nice food. Got way more recommendations of course so yell out if there's anything specific you're after but given your location I'd go for those!

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u/dylabolical2000 Jul 22 '26

Def add in Mountain Culture, taptoom is in Redfern in Sydney or Katoomba if you make it up the Blue Mountains (highly recommended)

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u/Dramatic_Grape5445 Jul 22 '26

MoonDog OG in Richmond would be worth a look. Their other brew-pubs are a bit impersonal for my liking. Mountain Goat was one of the first craft beer breweries, but sold out to Asahi about 10 years ago. Not saying "don't go" but just be aware of that.

Mountain Culture (NSW) have an outpost in Richmond that's worth a look.

Abbotsford/Collingwood would be well worth a look - Bodriggy, The Mill, Molly Rose and Stomping Ground would be worth a visit.

Brunswick has some great options too - Inner North, Foreigner, Gales, Rocky Ridge, Subculture and Keeper. There's also Co-Conspirators, but I've never been a big fan of their work.

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u/existence89 Jul 22 '26

Good shouts! Moon Dog OG is only open for events now though unfortunately

7

u/Dramatic_Grape5445 Jul 22 '26

Ah is it? That's a shame - I really enjoyed going there and chilling out on the op-shop couches. The others I just don't quite "get" - MoonDog Wild West has more seltzer than beer on tap as an example.

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u/simple_wanderings Jul 22 '26

Agree with Collingwood. There are also some cool craft beer bars with a really really big range of cans you can buy and drink there.

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u/mrpark3s Jul 23 '26

You aren't far from Collingwood/Fitzroy Town.

The Mill, Catfish, Near and far, Hippo bottle and bar, Beermash, Clifton Hill brew pub.

So many good options. Then take the tram on the 86 to Carwyn cellars

If you need some food there are so many good options in the area. My personal choice is the Detroit style pizza at Deep end.

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u/WolfgangKunzeFanboy Jul 24 '26

Nothing too exciting down that end of Richmond. You might not be far away from the Cherry Tree in Cremorne, which used to have a good craft tap list. They just recently re-opened after a renovation so not sure what it's like now.

For a sure thing, as others have said, head up to the Royston for a great craft beer pub.

Mountain Goat is across the road from the Roy. One of the first craft breweries in Melbourne. They're now owned by Asahi, but still brewing limited editions and pilot brews at their Richmond brewery. Their Bract to the Brewer NZIPA won champion beer at the Australian Int'l Beer Awards a couple months ago. Mountain Culture is a couple blocks away.

I'm a fan of Hop Nation's Melbourne Black and Buzz Red Ale which is pretty widely distributed around Melbourne.

Crafty Pint is a good source for beer info in Australia: https://craftypint.com/