Friday Five: Sydney Breweries

I found these old pictures from way back in 2016 when we had a weekend of sporting, cultural and outdoor activities in Sydney going to football matches, art galleries and coastal walks. Naturally, we also went to cafes, restaurants, pubs and microbreweries. Here are five of the latter.

5 Sydney Microbreweries

1. Paddy's Brewery, Homebush - we walked for hours to get to this strange little place on Parramatta Road, down back streets and under railway bridges. The brewery has apparently been going since 2001 and it is tucked away in an inauspicious-looking hotel. The beer was fine, although I'm not sure it was worth searching out, and I suspect that the craft brewing scene has moved on since this enterprise began. 



Him Outdoors with his judgy face on




2. Sydney Brewery, Sydney - We actually went to the Cidery Bar & Kitchen, which is an odd little place in the middle of the Rydges World Square in the Sydney CBD, looking out over a shopping centre. It was a hot day and the Sydney Cider was perfectly crisp and refreshing - it's brewed on site and has a great name.



Sydney Cider




3. Young Henrys, Newtown - This is more like what I expect from the craft brewing scene - a busy little hub down a back street surrounded by industrial buildings and young folk with black t-shirts and hipster beards. There was a small selection of well-brewed ales on offer with lots of hops and freshness. 



Shiny new bling at Young Henry's

4. Willie the Boatman, Marrickville - an absolute favourite for service and variety. The owners and brewers are so friendly and all they want to do is share their wares. There's not a lot of space to sit, so it's best to stand at the bar to talk to the staff, try out all the beers, and consider taking a few home for later. If you can grab a stool when one becomes available, the tasting paddles are a fine way to work through a few different styles. 

5. Batch Brewing, Marrickville - There are so many options to try here that it's hard to move on anywhere else. The brewers at Batch are always experimenting and you sit right among the tanks to taste the beers which range from sours and sessions to browns and stouts. The tasting notes are complied with attention to detail, to answer any questions, and there really is something for everyone! The place has a friendly and social vibe, and a food cart is parked up outside to cater for the peckish. More beer!

That's a happy face