Sydney, we’re known for our beaches, our funky and iconic Syndey Opera House, and P Sherman 42 Wallaby Way Sydney (Finding Nemo duh!). But like a lot of modern cities, we also have a thriving craft beer scene. Centred around the vibrant Inner West suburb of Marrickville, we’ve got plenty of lagers, pilseners, pale ales, and (my personal favourite) hazy ipas to taste. With a wide range of ingredients from Australian native plants, to fancy imported stuff, hop along to the Inner West and get yourself a cold one…or two…or three.
A Sudsy Story: Sydney's Craft Beer Revolution
When I started going out and drinking in pubs – early 2010’s – you could basically choose between Tooheys New or Hahn Super Dry. Now, look, no shade on those beers, but they’re really not the most interesting! But slowly, there started to appear new and exciting beers with strange looking labels, and weird names like Little Creatures and Fat Yak. That’s right, craft beer had arrived, blown in on a southerly buster from the US and UK. And we’ve never looked back!
Where would the breweries really take off? The only place they ever really could: The Inner West. Formerly a very working class area, it transformed over the years into a bohemian haven. But what really helped was the number of former industrial sites perfect for adaptation into, you guessed it, breweries! Marrickville is now the beating heart of the frothy scene, thanks also to its close proximity to the city centre, a thirsty community, and a supportive council.
Ready to hit the trail?
Enough history, now onto the main event: how to get the most out of your Inner West Ale Trail experience.
Getting There:
- Option 1 (Metro): From the city centre, take the new Metro line to Sydenham Station. From there, it’s a short walk to the breweries in Marrickville.
- Option 2 (Train): From the city centre take the T2 line to Newtown. It’s a 20 minute walk to the first brewery from there.
- Option 3 (Buses): Several bus routes operate from the city centre to Marrickville and back. Check the Transport for NSW website or app for routes and timetables – routes 355, 423, 423X, 426, 428 and 430.
Stop 1: The Grifter
- Time: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
- History: Grifter has been brewing for over ten years, and is still majority owned by the founders and proud to be 100% independent. You can taste the care they put into every can of beer.
- Vibe: Relaxed, industrial-chic brewery with a spacious taproom and outdoor area.
- Beers: Known for their hop-forward pale ales and IPAs, as well as seasonal and experimental brews. (people go nuts for the Serpent’s Kiss – a watermelon pilsener)
- Food: Try the pizzas from in-house pizzeria Fortune Friday to Sunday, or otherwise order from Vic on the Park and they’ll literally hand it to you over the fence.
Stop 2: Wildflower & Mountain Culture
- Time: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
- History: Mountain Culture was started by the more adventurous people who call the Blue Mountains home, and Wildflower ferment their beers exclusively with yeasts collected from Australian native flowers.
- Vibe: This brewery and bar focuses on a range of farmhouse ales and beers incorporating native Australian ingredients.
- Beers: Expect saisons, sours, and interesting barrel-aged beers.
- Food: Check their website for food options, which often include collaborations with local chefs and restaurants.
Stop 3: Sauce
- Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
- History: Open since 2017, Sauce began when Mike was introduced to homebrewing by his wife Kate. Thank god she did!
- Vibe: Lively brewery with a large taproom and an absolutely top-tier beer garden.
- Beers: Focus on American-style ales and IPAs, with a rotating selection of seasonal beers.
- Food: A rotating selection of food trucks visit Sauce every week, from American BBQ to Bratwurst, it’s always a good feed.
Stop 4: Batch
- Time: 8:00 PM onwards
- History: Since 2013, Batch have been brewing a simply staggering variety of beers – at one point they had a new batch (get it?) every 10 days!
- Vibe: Community-focused brewery with a cozy taproom and a beer garden.
- Beers: Wide range of beers, from classic styles to more experimental offerings.
- Food: Delicious Portuguese Bifana accompany the beers.
Getting Back:
- Option 1 (via Metro): Walk back to Sydenham Station and take the Metro line back to the city centre.
- Option 2 (Buses): Several bus routes operate from Marrickville to the city centre. Check the Transport for NSW website or app for routes and timetables.
Remember to drink responsibly (1 glass of water between each drink) and pace yourself to enjoy the experience fully – you want to remember your night in Marrickville!
And it’s always a good idea to check the brewery websites or social media for the latest beer lists, food options, and any special events.
Enjoy your Inner West Ale Trail adventure!
