When it comes to alcoholic beverages, most people associate Australia with wine. The country’s sprawling vineyards and quality wine are certainly world-famous, but living here, I’ve found that it’s also a country with a firmly-rooted beer culture. Local pubs and restaurants always have a wide selection of craft beers, and Sydney is full of unique breweries. So in this post, I thought I’d try to communicate my newfound love for craft beer.
I never really enjoyed drinking beer when I lived in Japan. The reason was that, not being much of a drinker, I wanted something that would pair well with whatever I was eating. I enjoyed sake and wine—I just never seemed to go for beer. But I have become nearly infatuated with beer since coming to Australia. One of the best things about Sydney is its pub culture. Unlike Japanese pubs, where you drink over a meal, Australian pubs have a much more casual vibe where you go to hang out with friends. They’re everywhere in the city, and it’s fun to go pub-hopping for a change of pace.
One of my favorite beers is a brand called Stone & Wood. It’s known for its fruity, refreshing taste. Since coming here, I’ve learned to enjoy beer on its own, without food.
Pubs are fun, but it’s the breweries that create original craft beers distinct to each region. One of my favorite breweries is one in the Redfern area of Sydney called BrewDog. It started as a famous craft beer brand in Scotland, but the Sydney location has an expansive, wide-open feel that makes it hugely popular with both locals and tourists. The walls are covered with artistic designs, giving it a vibe that’s both laid-back and stylish. They have everything from classic IPAs to fruity limited-edition brews, so there are all kinds of flavors to enjoy.
It’s while kicking back in this relaxed atmosphere—something I never really did back in Japan—that I have realized how delicious beer is and how fun it is to enjoy. They have an extensive menu as well, with plenty of beer-friendly options like hamburgers and fried chicken. It’s so comfortable that it’s easy to lose track of time.
Sydney has countless other breweries as well. The areas around Darling Harbour, Newtown, and Marrickville are essential stops for craft beer lovers. Every brewery offers its own distinctive flavor profiles and concept, making it fun to compare them with each other.
If you come to Australia, make sure you go brewery-hopping! Wine tasting is a wonderful experience as well, but Sydney’s breweries are more laid-back and give you a much better feel for how the locals live. Head out in the daytime to start tasting craft beers at different breweries, and I guarantee you’ll get an inside look at an amazing side of Australia.
And if you combine Australia’s blue skies with its sunny people and delicious craft beer… you’ll stop caring that it’s a bit expensive to live here. I’m already looking forward to visiting a new brewery and finding my next favorite brew!