Overview
A few years ago, Sydney was whistling a hesitant tune when it came to the beauty of craft beer, with Sydney Craft Beer Week consisting of only a handful of events. Now in its fourth year, SCBW has grown to be a massive affair, involving over 100 crafty, boozy events from October 18-26.
Sydneysiders have begun jumping on the bandwagon of the microbrew. Just as the first sweltering days of the season descend on Sydney, brewers far and wide are becoming our heroes with their individual take on the much-loved frosty beverage. As we start to count down the days, here are the events that we are most looking forward to.
Sydney Craft Beer Week Gala Opening
If this week has been patiently marked in your calendar for the past 365 days, then you have no excuse to miss SCBW’s opening gala. The scene will be set at Giant Dwarf Theatre, and the event is guaranteed to bring you into SCBW with a bang. Live shows and tastings will take place all evening, and your ticket includes three drink tokens and a fancy commemorative glass to carry around for the rest of the week. Food will be provided by Sydney's food trucks and the perfect companion after a few strong drinks.
17 October from 6-10pm. Giant Dwarf Theatre, 199 Cleveland Street, Redfern. Tickets $37.50.
Beer Street Bakery
What’s not to love when we bring Sydney’s favourite baked goods and craft beer together in perfect harmony? No longer does the perfect sausage roll need to be a morning-after debacle, for SCBW, the two will unite in perfect harmony. The entire week will see special baked treats creatively fused with The Grifter Brewing Co.’s Inner West brews. And on the first Saturday of SCBW, the brew team will also make a special guest appearance pouring a few of their favourite non-baked treats. So pair your beer with a pastry filled with beer; it’s the perfect carb-to-carb ratio.
18-26 October from noon-5pm. Bourke Street Bakery, 46a Macleay Street, Potts Point. Free entry.
Australiana Spice Bonanza
Surry Hills' staple restaurant for vegos and a favourite for non-vegos alike has always been known for its extensive brew list. In honour of SCBW, not only are they offering a special beer-inspired dumpling menu but they are also bringing a little extra Australiana to their beer menu. The list will include an exclusive range of beers flavoured with native Australian flavours, including one brewed in-house by their head brewer James Harvey. Free entertainment will also be on offer each of the seven evenings of the week, including 'Get Your Yarn On' (Australian spoken word poetry) and 'A Night of Brown Grass' (Australian styled Bluegrass).
18-25 October from 11am-12am. Yulli’s Screening Room, 417 Crown Street, Surry Hills. Free Entry.
Feral Brewing Sunday Sounds Session – Take 2
There are few finer things in life than good beer and good music on a sunny Sunday arvo. Not only will you spend a glorious Sunday soaking up rays at the Collaroy Beach Club but a ticket to this event includes the whole lot; there will be no Sunday worries on your mind. Tickets include transfers from the city to the Collaroy Beach Club, five schooners of Feral brews, a sausage sizzle, a DJ spinning tunes all day long and a 6pm return to The Welcome Hotel for the tap takeover. Sure to be an afternoon for the books.
19 October 12-6pm. The Collaroy Beach Club, 1058 Pittwater Road, Collaroy. Tickets $55.
Platinum and HopDog present True Grit
Take midweek break with a screening of The Coen Brothers adaptation of True Grit at Golden Age Cinema and Bar. The men behind Platinum Liquor and HopDog bring you ‘La Boeufes Bete Noire’, a special 7 percent American stock ale, aged on oak chips for three months, and in their humble opinion, the perfect companion to a little action with Ol’ Rooster and Le Boeufe. Ticket includes film, a glass of beer, a cocktail shaker of popcorn and live bluegrass music before the film.
22 October from 7:30-11:45pm. Golden Age Cinema and Bar, 80 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills. Tickets $31.51 (incl. booking fee).
Brewers and Chewers Dinner
Each year this proves a favourite event at SCBW, selling out on most occasions. Hosted by the craft beer legends at The Local Taphouse, the annual event presents as a sort of speed dating for beer lovers. Great food will be paired with seven specially chosen brews from Two Birds, Young Henrys, Garage Project, Beavertown, Sixpoint and NOMAD. The event will feature a ‘meet the brewers’ style set-up where diners can take the opportunity to chat to the makers of their favourite beverages.
23 October from 6-10pm. The Local Taphouse, 122 Flinders Street, Darlinghurst. Tickets $97.75.
The Great Swillhouse Collaboration Coup
If it comes from Swillhouse, you expect it to be a little out there. The boys behind The Baxter Inn, Shady Pines Saloon and Frankie’s have travelled to the ends of Australia to bring you the best Australian breweries have to offer with a whole host of special collaborations for SCBW. The taps of Frankie’s Pizza will be taken over with the Swillhouse creations, ranging from Beer Monster BBQ II to Gout Stout to Euro Porn Pale, and that doesn’t even scratch the surface. Frankie’s famous house band will play both nights, so bring an appetite for great beer and leave your Monday blues at home.
20-21 October from 6pm-3am. Frankie’s Pizza, 50 Hunter Street, Sydney. Free Entry.
Batch and KP Baltimore Crab Feast
With one of Batch Brewing Co.’s head brewers hailing from Baltimore, expectations are high for some of the best Atlantic-style seafood at this event. Batch Brewing and Kingston Public are partnering for a Friday feast of epic proportions. Maryland-style crab and limited release Old Bay Spice-inspired brews will be served, and this will be a cracker of a long lunch (pun intended). Dig into some choice seafood and beer, bib and all.
24 October from 1-4pm. Batch Brewing Co., 44 Sydenham Road, Marrickville. Tickets $57.50.
The Big Pig Out
Byron Bay is all about the laidback vibe and the independent lifestyle, and it was just that which inspired the team behind Stone & Wood to start their brewery. Now one of the oldest and a true favourite in the still new craft beer scene, they are a welcome sight at SCBW. This year, they are bringing a whole heap of fun with whole roasted pigs at The Mule at the Newington. Three whole pigs will be spit-roasted on the day and all four of Stone & Wood's beers will be on tap, plus seasonal favourites and special one-offs. This is bound to be a Saturday BBQ of epic proportions.
25 October from 12-5pm. The Mule, 292 Stanmore Road, Petersham. Tickets $28.75.
Sip & Savour
Rounding out the week, the Australian Beer Ambassadors are hosting their inaugural event, Sip & Savour. Each day will be a celebration of all things craft beer, with over 250 beers and ciders on tap. Most importantly, these two days are an opportunity for the craft brewers of Australia to get on the floor to interact with the drinkers themselves. Saturday will focus more on the cultural aspect, with live music from local acts including Castlecomer and a viewing of Hop Flicks Short Film Festival winning pieces, while Sunday will be a child-friendly Sunday session vibe. Check out the website for more information on each session.
25 October 11:30am-4:30pm and 6pm-11pm; 26 October from 12-6pm. Carriageworks, 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh. Tickets from $44.