The Ten Best Things to Do at Sydney Craft Beer Week 2013

Sydney Craft Beer Week is back, and even craftier (and, uh, beerier) than ever. The weeklong celebration of the city’s favourite brews runs from October 19 to October 26, connecting craft beer connoisseurs and amateurs alike with Sydney’s best brewers, chefs and craft beer aficionados in venues all over the region. With over 60 events on the calendar — from speed dating to smackdowns — here are a few of our select picks to better improve your life through beer.

Sydney Craft Beer Week Launch Party

Clearly, there’s no better way to start a week-long celebration of the nation’s beverage than with a launch party. To help kick things off, this year’s Sydney Craft Beer Week Launch Party is being held in the carpark at The Vic on the Park in Marrickville. It boasts over 15 beer stalls, each pouring unique and rare beers, live music and, to quote the organisers, "maybe a slam dunk contest if you feel so inclined". This one’s free to get in, so clear a spot in your calendar and get down to The Vic.

Vic On the Park, 2 Addison Road, Marrickville; October 19, 11am-7pm; Food and drinks to be purchased on the night.

Birra Italiana Presents Beers from Across the World

This will be the worldwide adventure you’ve didn’t even know you were needing to accomplish — and you won’t even have to leave the city limits. Bloodwood is hosting this continental crusade, where six beers from six nations will be matched with their home specialty course.

Bloodwood Restaurant, 416 King Street, Newtown; October 25, 6-10pm; $95

The Growler Newtown Pub 'Claw'

Party animals unite — Young Henry's and local bike fiends The Spokes People are holding The Growler — the first annual Pub ‘Claw’ through Newtown. If you’re ready to let your spirit animal manifest in human form, get into your best party animal ensemble and be ready to claw — either on wheel or on paw — through the streets of Newtown on a treasure hunt that will see you hoofing through the best bars and pubs that the Inner West has to offer. Once you’ve pawed your way through to the end of the hunt, you’ll be able to throw some shapes around until the cows come home at the after Claw party.

Victoria Park, Parramatta Road, Camperdown; October 19, 4-9pm; Food and drinks to be purchased on the night.

Beer Mimics Food

There’s much more to beer than meets the amber-glazed eye. It’s a magical drink — like David Blaine, I-can’t-believe-this-is-happening-to-my-tastebuds levels of magic. Really. Beer isn’t just beer anymore. It’s basically another food group — well, it’s able to transform and mimic the tastes of the other food groups, which makes it a super-food group, really. Don’t believe me? Well, sceptic, head to The Welcome Hotel in Rozelle and prepare to eat (and drink) your words. Some of Australia’s best chefs (Poh Ling Yeow, Ben O’Donoghue, Myffy Rygby, Michael Ryan, Hadleigh Troy and more) and brewers have teamed up to respond to a challenge: conjure up a brew that tastes like a well-known food. Can they do it? You’ll have to head to Rozelle to find out.

The Welcome Hotel, 91 Evans Street, Rozelle; October 20, 3pm-10pm; Food and drinks to be purchased on the night.

Tweet Up Event - Brewery Smack Down

I can’t put my finger on why, but craft beer and social media just go so well together. Luckily, I’m not alone in that sentiment. At the Brewery Smack Down, you’ll have the opportunity to come along and get up-close and personal with some of the most awarded brewing companies in Australia. Each brewer will be bringing a special beer just for the event. They’re competing with each other via Twitter to win the title of crowd favourite, so get hashtagging and #votetowin at the #craftbeer #smackdown.

Duck Inn Pub Kitchen, 74 Rose Street, Chippendale; October 21, 1-4pm; Food and drinks to be purchased on the night.

Women of Beer

Ladies, leave your man at home (or don’t — all genders are welcome). If you’ve ever wanted to taste some of the most exciting craft brews and rub shoulders with some of the best producers and collaborators in today’s industry, you’re reading the right post. Join top birds Jayne Lewis and Danielle Allen from Two Birds Brewing, Karen Golding from Red Hill Brewery and Beth Williams of Hargreaves Hill at Flat Rock Brew Cafe in Naremburn for a night of beer chats and tasting (with matched food!), without the stereotypes that the craft beer industry carries.

Flat Rock Brew Cafe, 290 Willoughby Road, Naremburn; October 21, 5- 8pm; $50.

Beer and the Art of Cocktails

Cocktails are great. Craft beer is great. Combine the two and you have a winning combination, but no — a bit of grenadine in your beer or cider does not a cocktail make. You’ll be set on the straight and narrow by the experts at Firefly, who will be exploring the many great ways craft beer can be incorporated into cocktails and teaching you along the way. If mere knowledge and power isn’t enough to get you to Neutral Bay, Firefly's chefs will also be serving canapes inspired by craft beer throughout the evening.

Firefly Neutral Bay; 24 Young St, Neutral Bay; October 24, 5pm-8pm; $50

Brewers & Chewers

Craft beer fans and foodies: if you missed last year’s Brewers & Chewers, fear not. It’s back! If this is the first time you’re hearing of Brewers & Chewers, allow me to fill you in: it’s essentially a speed dating dinner and drinks night for brewers and fans of the brew. This year’s line-up features international and local guests, giving you a chance to get to know the faces behind the ale while enjoying a delicious four-course dinner and consuming exclusive craft beers.

The Local Taphouse, 122 Flinders Street, Darlinghurst; October 24, 5.30-9pm; $90.

Handmade by Little Creatures

For this year's SCBW, Little Creatures and Waterloo's aMBUSH Gallery are combining their powers of beer and art to form Handmade — a “renaissance of hand-crafted art and design”. Featuring beer by Little Creatures and art by Springles, Flourish, Jane Gillings, HIT+RUN Australia, Numskull and music sets by Pilarties and Bad Jeep, the exhibition invites you to view the works and interact with the custom-built Handmade installation that, in the words of aMBUSH, "turns the disappointment of an empty beer bottle into the delight of playful collaboration".

aMBUSH Gallery, 4 James Street, Waterloo; October 25, 6-9pm; Free.

Two Birds / The Grifter Brewing Co.

Finish the week off with a final showdown with Geelong’s Two Birds Brewing and our very own Grifter Brewing Co going head to head at Yulli's in Surry Hills. Both brewers will have their usual lineup of beers available, as well as The Grifter’s first-ever collaboration brew. Chat to each brewer, taste each beer (maybe more than once if you need help deciding) and vote for your favourite to take home the crown.

Yulli’s, 417 Crown Street, Surry Hills; October 26, 4-10pm; Food and drinks to be purchased on the night.