The bar staff don't know anything about the beer. The summer ale is part of their 'Sydney' range, along with their cider. I don't think it's aimed at a craft beer drinker. (just checked, and since the rebrand this has changed, it's part of their normal range now) I had it ages ago, and it wasn't to my palette.
They have some good beers: pale (quite well hopped with cascade), schwartz, porter, hefe (all pretty true to style), gives you a few solid beers to rotate through.
You won't get a super exciting RIS or IPA from Denmark like at the taphouse, but it has good, well-made beer, at cheap prices ($3.80 from 5-7 on weeknights) in the city, and it isn't too loud to sit down and have a chat - which is why I really like the place.
Edit: doesn't look like the schwartzbeer is part of their range anymore, perhaps replaced by the new lager :unsure: I've had the Newtown bitter, but I don't remember it being anything special.