Beer DeLuxe Darling Harbour

Overview

The local craft scene is slowly expanding into the mainstream, as the opening of Beer DeLuxe at King Street Wharf clearly demonstrates. Although, that's not a bad thing; until now, apart from the Red Tape Brewing Co., the area has been wholly devoid of craft beer.

This is the fifth Beer DeLuxe to open — there are two in Melbourne and two in regional NSW — but the Darling Harbour outpost is their first Sydney location. With over 150 brews to choose from, not every beer is a win — Carlton Draught, for example — but, impressively, 20 of the taps are dominated by Australian beers. And more than half of which are Sydney locals, including favourites like Wayward Brewing Co., Young Henrys and Akasha Brewing Company.

Sure, it's a bit gimmicky. There's a famous beer quotes wall and the beer garden is covered with AstroTurf, but any place we can get Brewmanity on tap gets a big thumbs up from us. If you're keen to check out some international craft, the Beer Bible — a manual which includes the history of beer and a description of styles — has beers from every well-known region across the US, Europe, Australia and NZ.  Not a beer drinker? They've got your kind covered too, with a wine list and cocktails.

If you're here for more than boozing, we recommend going for the 'beer food'; it's a drink in one hand, food in the other type of affair. The pulled lamb sliders ($14) and chicken wontons ($14.50) are especially tasty, and the Korean twice-cooked chicken wings ($14) are a must-try.

Head in on a Monday for $6 schooners and Tuesdays for a $15 burger and beer deal, while live music Thursdays and Sundays will have you covered for the weekend. If you're seriously into your craft, check out the Beer DeLuxe Home Brew Heroes competition — the winner of which gets to have their own beer commercially brewed and available on tap.