Best Craft Beer Places in Melbourne 2023
The World Loves Melbourne has some favourite craft beer bars and restaurants in Melbourne. sometimes you just need somewhere to meet with friends for a friendly "sesh" and some matching food. When it comes to craft beers we have our "staples" but also love our "seasonals". Pilsener, Stout, IPA, Ale? One of the best things to do in Melbourne is to discover new craft beer joints and explore what's new on tap!
Mountain Goat - Richmond
Mountain Goat is located in the back streets of Richmond and offers some of the finest award winning craft beer you will find. Famous for several brews including Organic Steam Ale (certified organic), Pale Ale, Hightale Ale and Belgian IPA to name a few. The vibe is casual almost grunge and grab a pizza while you're tasting the beers. Mountain Goat is open to the public at limited times currently Wed 5-10pm, Fridays 5-11pm and Sundays 12pm to 6pm.
Boilermaker House - CBD
The magical pairing of beer and whisky is the key at Speakeasy's second venture in Melbourne, Boilermaker House. With 750 whiskies and around 40 beers there is no lack of matching potential; for every and any occasion! Boilermaker House is a popular destination for the urban crowd with its chic and warm ambience. If you're looking for somewhere unique and accessible in the CBD, then visit Boilermaker House.
Boilermakers combine simple food served on wooden slabs with beverages served in fine glassware. It's a concept we can get into. We check out the beer menu on their website for the latest "now tapped" beers. We get excited by unique offerings such as La Sirène Brewing Belle-French Ale.
We like the fact Boilermaker House has an element of sophistication and challenges a bogan beer culture. Find yourself amongst a collection of books and quirky art.
Colonial Brewing - Port Melbourne
Colonial Brewing offers a great craft beer experience in Bertie St Port Melbourne. Check out the lower alcohol pale ale Small Ale which brings a full flavour taste and the masterstroke of a 360 degree lid on the can so you can experience the aroma of the beer and allow it to properly aerate. Core beers include classic Draught, I.P.A., Pale Ale, and Small Ale.
Beer Deluxe - CBD and Hawthorn
With a 1,300 patron capacity, the venue is served by four bars (internal and external) and an upstairs burger lounge complete with alfresco dining. In true pub style, live bands perform regularly and the Beer DeLuxe kitchen serves up classic, delicious pub fare including matched food and beer options.
The Beer Deluxe paddle is a great way to start a visit to Beer Deluxe, whether it is your first visit or your hundredth. The beers that appear rotate regularly, and it gives you a great opportunity to experience new flavours from microbreweries both in Australia and all over the world.
Le Bon Ton - Collingwood
Known for its American BBQ Le Bon Ton also shines with its large selection of American craft beers (as well as selected Australian) served frothy from the tap. Enjoy craft beers at the front bar or while dining, as well as the stunning beer garden at the back. The waft of American BBQ may lure you in but stay for the craft beers as well.
Two Birds Brewing - Spotswood
One of Melbourne's most popular breweries for craft beer, Two Birds Brewing brings the fun and the good times at its brewery in Spotswood. Having visited on a weekend it gets hectic as once again, these are award winning beers. We love the hoppy taco beer as a vibrant beer that is something different.
The Local Taphouse
Best Beer List from Time Out Melbourne is a reflection of the diversity on the beer list at The Local Taphouse. A European inspired neighbourhood tavern with a 1930s theme. This is a place where local and bespoke beers are centre stage rather than commercial large beer brands. These guys are serious about a plethora of beers on tap; we love the "Taplist" of the day with 20 or so beers on the menu (plus an extensive bottle list). We think they serve the largest number of craft beers on tap in Melbourne. Dedicated and respected.
The fit out is old school but the craft beer offerings are cutting edge. These guys are specialised and know their beers. They'll feature say the 10 best IPA's from this year.
Thr Local Taphouse are one of the original pioneers and have huge cred in the craft beer scene.
Relax on the rooftop...
The downstairs shows great use of timber, dark and light, this place is warm and rustic. Upstairs boasts the deck and beer garden. The food is specifically matched to beers. Check out this Hop cured ocean trout.
Comedy nights are also a thing. Images above: The Local Taphouse Instagram.
Temple Brewing
Temple Brewing is an accesible brewer in the Melbourne burbs. It's a fab place to visit, both downstairs and it has an attractive upstairs bar area. With its accessability in East Brunswick it has become a winning brewery destination for beer enthusiasts.
We're partial to a numbr of Temple beers, our favourite being Bicycle Beer. We love their philosophy on the website-
Temple Brewing Co was established to celebrate the origins of beer. The first beer was made in a Temple with records dating as far back as 9500 BC. As one of the oldest prepared beverages in the world, beer was instrumental in the formation of civilisations. Temple Brewing Co aims to showcase this amazing liquid and immerse and inform visitors all about craft beer. The brewery is uniquely designed to allow visitors to walk into the brewery safely and observe the brewers as they go about crafting their brews.
Seasonal beers are a feature - such as this Lemon Myrtle inspired beer. several of the beers on tap are reserved just for seasonal beers.
All the food is prepared on site with attention to detail.
Check out the famous Midnight Burger with ground beef patty, charcoal bun, crisp iceberg, roma tomato, caramelised onion, Monterey Jack, Temple special sauce, beer battered fries. One of the best. Image: Temple Brewing Instagram.
A state of the art brewhouse can be seen from the upper level...
The Alehouse Project
The Alehouse Project serves it up on Lygon St in Brunswick East, which has emerged as some kind of "beer belt". This is about 12 taps of microbrewery beers with continuous rotating taps. Wednesday Trivia Nights are a thing (not that we've been); but craft beers and trivia would seem a compelling mix.
Food has always been top notch here (icluding Philly Cheesesteaks) but right now they have guest chefs in the kitchen, Miss Katie's Crab Shack. We recommend the "build your own" crab boil!
Sunday sessions are encouraged with $15 jugs of beer (at time of writing).
Images: Alehouse Project Instagram