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Pour a pint at Western Australia’s hippest brewpubs

By on February 6, 2013
German-like beer gardens and a few friends make trips to Australia's brewpubs unforgettable.

German-like beer gardens and a few friends make trips to Australia's brewpubs unforgettable.

There’s always going to be a reason not to go on vacation: flights are too expensive, you have engagements back home or taking that much time away from work could be risky.

However, when it’s Australia, nine times out of ten the pros outweigh the cons. Now is the time to put your hesitations aside and get on that absurdly long flight to the Land Down Under to experience the unique quirks of the country that you’ll only discover when you see them for yourself: Uluru Rock, not sweet but savory pies and some awesome craft beers that you can’t find anywhere else. No, we’re not talking Foster’s Australian lager – we’re talking microbrewed ales, stouts and porters crafted by local Aussies that you’ll likely get to meet during your travels.

While you can find alehouses in various regions of Australia, a unique new cluster has formed in the western part of the country that brews its own selection of libations for thirsty guests. When you’ve finally bitten the bullet and are ready to prepare for your ultimate Aussie trip, here are the prime craft brewpubs to check out upon arrival:

Feral Brewing Company
Situated in the Swan Valley of Perth, this brewing hot spot boasts an onsite restaurant that offers a wide range of unique beers. About 16 varieties are always on tap, so visitors can switch it up several times while soaking up the beautiful views of the Swan Valley from the Feral Brewing beer garden.

Looking for something adventurous? Order the Watermelon Warhead, a sour German wheat beer, which, despite its name, has a refreshing and light taste perfect for those clear sunny days.

Sail and Anchor
This Fremantle pub was the first home of the Matilda Bay Brewing company in 1984, and still holds the reputation as a prime spot to enjoy quality craft beers in good company. A whopping 43 taps can be found here, all of which are varieties you won’t find in traditional liquor stores. A frequent winner of awards like “Best Beer Venue,” this Western Australia alehouse is sure to please. You never know who you might get into a conversation with here, or what may be going on inside, whether it’s a beer tasting event or a contest pitting the most prominent Australian beers against each other, such as Feral’s “hop hog,” and Mash brewing’s “koffee stout.”

The Old Brewery
Just as its name states, this establishment has served patrons since 1879, although it has undergone serious renovations since then. Situated on the riverfront on Perth’s Mounts Bay Road, this microbrewery-cum-steakhouse serves rare beers found virtually nowhere else, like Eliza’s Saison, a Belgian farmhouse ale.