On cold Sunday afternoon I ventured to South Melbourne to visit a brewery I hadn’t been to before and an old favourite that’s changed owners.
I really like South Melbourne. When I started travelling to Melbourne regularly in 2010, I chose a different suburb to pub crawl each visit. I had no shortage of wing persons keen to join. Many Melbournians explored parts of Melbourne they’d not visited. One of the first suburbs we did was Melbourne. Much to many people’s dismay I made repeat visits to the Māori Chief Hotel. Much to my dismay, the Māori Chief is permanently closed – an all to frequent massage on Google Maps these days.
Brewmanity Beer Co has three levels. On the bottom floor is the “Brewery Bar” and the brewery itself, sealed behind glass. On Level 1 is a “Rooftop Terrace Bar” and “Corporate Box”, and on Level 2 is the “Container Bar”. Expansive city views are to be had from both Levels 1 and 2 and because it is the winter there’s plenty of heating options.
Brewmanity starting brewing beer commercially in 2015, and moved into BrewPub premises in Tope Street, South Melbourne in 2024. As always, the Crafty Pint has the good oil on the history of Brewmanity, which has deep roots in the Melbourne Footy Club.
The current brewer has a great pedigree and that show through an impressive range of beers ranging from a rice lager through to an outstanding Belgian Tripel. It always good to see a Hefeweizen on the taps as well. The Choc O Block stout is a classic winter Sipper™. Looking forward to returning to Brewmanity.
Westside Ale Works is in its second home in the same laneway off Montague Street. I’ve enjoyed repeat visits over the years. Close to the CBD, good pizza, great beer and they love their sport.
They have a crazy number of taps, many of feature Westside’s own delights, but they’ve always been generous to other brewers as well. It was a farkin’ cold arvo in South Melbourne so I sought to #knitabeervest™ with a couple of 6%ers.
You can’t go wrong with a Westside IPA. They’ve always nailed the style and their oddly named Spring Fling seasonal IPA was a ripper. But it really was a stout kind of day, so I indulged in a small glass of their GABS contribution – Dawn’s Sweet Embrace. This was the most decadent of stouts – a chocolate croissant stout with a stupefying 10.2% ABV. Westside Ale Works, always worth a return visit.
Brewmanity Beer Co: 50 Tope Street, South Melbourne
Westside Ale Works: 36 Alfred Street, South Melbourne
back of the ferry 