The Ten Best Things to Do at Sydney Craft Beer Week 2016

Marrickville’s newest craft bottle shop, Bucket Boys, is launching this Sydney Craft Beer Week with a history lesson. Owner and self-proclaimed beer geek Johnathan Hepner (ex-Lord Raglan and Batch) knows more about craft beer history than anyone we’ve ever met. They’ll be recreating recipes from five major brewing civilisations and Hepner will take you on a journey through beer, from ye olden days to present.

If you prefer your craft beer with sunshine, Sunday Sounds is where it’s at for you. This year, for SBCW, The Beach Club in Collaroy is taking their event up a notch by launching eight never before brewed beers, with an extra special collaboration beer to surprise patrons. While entry is free, $30 schooner books can be purchased on the day, which includes your choice of six out of the fourteen beers they’ll have on tap. 

Mead is making a comeback as of late, though most people still have no idea what the fuck it is. Stone Dog Meadery will give guests all of the answers (and tasters) of one of the world’s oldest alcoholic beverages while Yulli’s serves up their top-notch vegetarian dishes. Even the know-it-alls in the craft beer world will learn something, and love something, at this Sydney Craft Beer Week event.

Surry Hills mainstay Bitter Phew is bringing you the classier side of craft beer this year for Sydney Craft Beer Week. The tap list for this event will include barrel-aged beers from an international powerhouse of brewers including the Netherlands’ Brouwerij de Molen, Norway’s Nøgne and a smoked saison collab between Nomad and US-based Jester King that we’re especially keen to try. From whiskey to bourbon and shiraz to chardonnay, you’ll surely feel spoilt for decadence at this one.

Sour and wild beers are in the craft beer spotlight right now, and for good reason — if you’ve had any brews from Tasmania’s Two Metre Tall, you’ll understand why. The Sydney craft beer institution that is the The Local Taphouse knows all about it and is bringing you the more obscure side of craft brewing this Sydney Craft Beer Week.

Their list of sour and wild beers is promised to be larger than any seen in Sydney previously. We just hope the aforementioned 2MT will represent.

The annual Beerlympics at the Lord Raglan may not be the most hoity toity Sydney Craft Beer Week event, but it is one of the most fun beer events you’ll get into all year. Beer games will include coaster toss, corn hole and handball, with heaps of amazing craft beer on hand, of course. Go ahead and channel your inner American college kid for the day.

It wouldn’t be Sydney Craft Beer Week without a big blowout at Frankie’s. This year, the venue has collaborated on nine brand new beers (including the official SCBW beer) from some of the best Australian and New Zealand brewers around, from Grifter and Garage Project to Big Shed and Brewcult. Frankie’s house band will also be rockin’ from 9pm to 3am. You’ll have to make it to this event to see what these masterminds have come up with.

It’s no secret that the inner west is the mecca for all things Sydney craft beer and Redfern newcomer The Noble Hops is proud to showcase just that. The many incredible sounding brews at this SCBW event include a pineapple pilsner from Wayward Brewing, a barrel-aged pumpkin ale from Yulli’s Brews and a rockmelon gose from Willie The Boatman. You’ll have the chance to chat with the brewers and visit an awesome new craft beer venue all in one swig.

Though Dove & Olive‘s Craft Beer Fight Club is always epic, there’s no beating the SCBW version. This year, Two Birds, Wayward Brewing and 4 Pines are teaming up with Dove & Olive, Keg & Brew and The Dog Randwick, respectively, to bring you a fight club people will definitely break the rule to talk about. The three breweries will split the taps, with brewers in attendance, and one collaboration beer will be crowned the victor by patrons.

If you haven’t heard of Shenanigans Brewing Company, this Sydney Craft Beer Week event should be at the top of your list. If you have heard of them, then we’re sure it’s already at the top of your list.

Combine one of our personal favourite Sydney brewers with The Hive Bar, one of the best small bars in the city, and you’ve got yourself one serious Sunday session. The event will include a special SCBW beer launch, along with specially paired dishes and beer-inspired cocktails.