Pubs/brewerys In Melbourne

[dj1984]

hi im off to melbourne on the weekend and was wanting to know where to go for a decent beer in the CDB im going to be staying just off spencer st so anywhere near there is good as i wont be able to drive :icon_drunk:

 

[ozpowell]

hi im off to melbourne on the weekend and was wanting to know where to go for a decent beer in the CDB im going to be staying just off spencer st so anywhere near there is good as i wont be able to drive :icon_drunk:

You might want to check out Cookie and Mrs Parma's for their decent beer menus.

 

[wakkatoo]

go up to federation square. The bar there (Transport Hotel) claims to have the largest beer list in the southern hemisphere. I've heard they support the smaller aussie breweries really well. Transport Hotel

If belgium is you go, a mate of mine is a manager at this place - European Bier Cafe

Both are in the city and easy to get to by tram / foot.

Cheers

*edit* - got no idea why the links went that way. Did what the 'puter asked and it spat it out like that!

 

[drsmurto]

hi im off to melbourne on the weekend and was wanting to know where to go for a decent beer in the CDB im going to be staying just off spencer st so anywhere near there is good as i wont be able to drive :icon_drunk:

After reading your review of the Wheatsheaf i suggest these ones

The Market
Xchange
Glasshouse Hotel

Have fun!

 

[danbeer]

Depends on what type of place you're looking for....

There are two James squire brew houses in the city - one in Russel st, just south of Bourke st the other at the far end of the walk at docklands, which, If the weather is nice, is probably the pick of the two.

there's also the charles dickens tavern. Last time I was there they had a hand-pulled ale on tap (although that was several years ago)

If you're into places with the ambiance of a concrete box, there's Transport at fed square, and another beer themed bar around the corner on Flinders St.

If you're after faux belgian atmosphere, there are two belgian beer cafe's - down StKilda Rd (has a nice beer garden) and at Southbank.

Also there's a new Little creatures beer hall thingy up on brunswick st fitzroy. (see the recent thread)

The Royston hotel in Richmond is a short tram ride from the city, and specialises in micro brews. Also happens to be across the road from the mountain goat brewery...

All of these are readily reachable by tram.

 

[Wasabi]

The Portland Hotel
It's a James Squire Brewhouse, so at least the beer is fresh!


The European Bier Cafe
Genrally ok, though some of the slower moving lines are a little on the aged side, but that's also true at Cookie.

Will you be here in time for Friday night drinks at Mountain Goat?

 

[dj1984]

After reading your review of the Wheatsheaf i suggest these ones

The Market
Xchange
Glasshouse Hotel

Have fun!

lol nah ill pass just did a google on them not my scene but you seem to know all of these places :unsure: : :icon_cheers:

 

[dj1984]

The Portland Hotel
It's a James Squire Brewhouse, so at least the beer is fresh!


The European Bier Cafe
Genrally ok, though some of the slower moving lines are a little on the aged side, but that's also true at Cookie.

Will you be here in time for Friday night drinks at Mountain Goat?

nah wont be on friday im flying in on saturday for the carlton v port game leaving monday mourning

 

[drsmurto]

nah wont be on friday im flying in on saturday for the carlton v port game leaving monday mourning

A power supporter.

Its all becoming clear now.

 

[Wasabi]

nah wont be on friday im flying in on saturday for the carlton v port game leaving monday mourning

Wow! Thats a long way to travel to support Carlton! ;-)

 

[dj1984]

lol im not a power supporter im a magpie supporter at the moment (not collingwood) i have a mate who im going with that is a carlton supporter we planned this trip a while ago and i didnt know we would suck so much :lol:

 

[brendo]

The Young & Jackson (right opposite Flinders St Station) is another option - has quite a few beers on tap - including their own - "Naked Ale"... not a bad drop imho. Chloe's bar up top is a bit of a Melbourne icon...

Otherwise, as others have suggested - cookie, Portland Hotel (good meals too), Transport (great selection although rather sterile).

There is also 3 Degrees (up at QV) - they did have their own beer there, not sure that they still do though.

Brendo

 

[HoppingMad]

For a definitive list of local Micro breweries around Melb & a list of the regional 'gems' check out this link:

http://www.visitvictoria.com/displayobject...2BD0C63CFEAE3B/

Looks like as others have said James Squire is really your only close option, although Bells Hotel in South Melbourne is just a short tram ride along Spencer St. Wasn't a huge rap for some of their brewed on premise beers a while back but they may have stepped it up a notch in recent times, and they are a true Brew Pub.

Others that are close to Spencer St:
PJ O'Brien's Southbank - Good Irish Pub with Guiness, Caffreys and the odd UK number. Cosy atmosphere with booths and large bar.
BearBrass Southbank - Small place/Cafe that has simple food and good beer, is on the river and popular with Melburnians for a low key drink where you can hear yourself talk.
Blue Train Cafe - One floor up at Southgate. A place for food as well as a drink, but has a good atmosphere, is always buzzing, has balconies over the yarra and the beer isn't overpriced.
The Pub at Crown - Hate Crown Casino myself but this would be one of your closest to Spencer St. Food is good and some ok beers last time I went but you can do better- I find the atmosphere a bit lacking, but if you're having a tilt at the Casino its an option.
Cookie - Swanston St - Out of the way bar up a flight of stairs and between two X rated cinemas. As others have said great range of beers here. Unpretentious crowd and little balconies cater for smokers.
Transport (opp Flinders St Station)- Good range on tap, can get crowded and Friday and Sat nites can have you queuing, if you get impatient go across to Young & Jacksons Hotel on other side.
Young & Jacksons (opp Flinders St Station) - Was here three weeks ago, the old sticky carpet vibe has gone and this is a good place now. Good range of micros to sample.

It's tempting to go to King Street (one up from Spencer) but unless you're going to the girlie bars I wouldn't bother. Crap nightclubs and groups of loaded blokes wanting a punch-on. Most locals avoid the section of King St between Collins and Lonsdale St on a Saturday night like the plague! There is one honest pub down the yarra river end (Called the Waterside I think) which isn't too bad but that would be it on that strip.

Happy drinkin'!

Hopper.

 

[Kleiny]

Beer Deluxe

Top of Fed Square just walk past transport and you will see it

I was there last weekend, good beer selection, all the brewery glass ware, most aussie micro's and good service

 

[HoppingMad]

<Also there's a new Little creatures beer hall thingy up on brunswick st fitzroy. (see the recent thread)>


In addition to that comment, if you're around Fitzroy check out 'Lambs Go Bar'. Think there are threads here on it or google. Has over 100 beers, little place with at least one hand cranked ale on tap regularly too. Last time I went they had interesting stuff like St Arnou's and 3 Ravens on tap. The guy there when I visited has pretty good beer knowledge too if he's still there.

Hopper.

 

[BrenosBrews]

Transport, Cookie & Mrs Parmas are all fairly close to Spencer St & will only involve a short tram ride or walk if your feeling energetic. I wouldn't attempt to go to Transport or Cookie on the Saturday night unless you like REALLY busy places. Save those for Sunday afternoon and/or evening.
A fairly new place is The Local Taphouse in East St Kilda. Balaclava train station on the Sandringham line is only 5 minutes walk and I'm pretty certain that on Sundays Sandringham trains go through Southern Cross/Spencer St station. Oh yeah, 20 beers on tap varying across lots of different styles. http://www.thelocal.com.au

PS. I no longer work there in case anyone thinks this is a cheap plug.