Cnr hope street and Melville rd in west brunswick has an unassuming little asian grocer/bottleshop. Good, limited range: sells schofferhoffer, chimay, orval, erdinger, duvel, a variety of Australian micro stuff including white rabbit, a reasonable squire range, some crappy euro lagers, asian lagers, a variety of ciders including three oaks, magners and bulmers and all at very good prices (chimay blue = $7.50)
Further afield but OK if you drive or even ride a bike is the world beer shop at the edge of essondon and brunswick west. Continuation of albion street - actual address is primrose street, essendon. 300 odd beers including rochefort, sam smith's, leffe and many, many more. More expensive but a great range.
Bars - bar etiquette which I haven't been to but is on Sydney Rd. Beer menu is very good. Bar fred in North Carlton would be my pick of the bunch. Nicholson street, North Carlton which is just on the edge of east brunswick (opposite the railway hotel, near brunswick road). Great beer bar (their focus is beer) and knowledgeable staff. Google will find you a menu. Good pizzas too.
Edinburgh castle usually has a couple of decent beers on tap - fresh tasting guiness, three ravens etc. Also some regular rotations.
Brunswick green has a few decent beers in the fridge - three ravens, monteith's etc.
Both the latter are on Sydney Rd.
