The 19 best breweries along Sydney's Inner West Ale Trail

Discover our top picks along Sydney’s Inner West Ale Trail, most of which are within easy walking distance of each other.

There are few pleasures greater than a tasting flight at a local brewery on a hot day. This isn’t why I moved to Sydney’s Inner West, the unofficial capital of craft breweries, but it certainly didn’t hurt. Focusing mostly on the suburb of Marrickville, the area has long been a popular place for brewery crawls among Sydneysiders in the know, but this year it was given an official name: The Inner West Ale Trail.

exterior shot of The Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre — Discover the Inner West Ale Trail. (Image: The Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre)

Across six suburbs within a five-kilometre radius (Marrickville, Enmore, Newtown, St Peters, Rozelle and Camperdown) you’ll find over 320 unique brews at 18 independent breweries. Of these, 15 also have restaurants or food trucks, ranging from pizza to vegetarian Thai food, so be sure to plan some snacks between drinks. To cater for anyone who isn’t so into beer, there are also 100 wines, ciders and spirits to be found.

And each brewpub has a venue that brings the relaxed but funky Inner West vibe to life. Find an ever-changing roster of weekly events, from live music to bingo to comedy nights. Discover more and plan your next visit.

1. Batch Brewing Co.

Batch Brewing Co. sydney — Pop into one of the first breweries in Sydney. (Image: Destination NSW)

Founded in 2013, Batch was one of the first, and remains one of the most popular, breweries in Sydney. While they have now expanded to have locations in Petersham and Darling Square, their original spot was in Marrickville.

As the name suggests, Batch has a focus on unique, small-batch beers. They do have a core line of best-sellers (like Marrickville Original Pale Ale and Pash the Magic Dragon Sour) but pride themselves on a rotating menu of new, limited-release beers.

Address: 44 Sydenham Rd, Marrickville

2. Brickworks Brewing

beer and burger at Brickworks Brewing — Pair your beer with pub grub. (Image: Facebook/Brickworks Brewing)

Small but mighty, the brewers at Brickworks have been doing their thing for 20 years and counting. Find 12 beer taps with rotating brews to try, experimenting with styles from around the world.

Settle in for live music and food trucks on weekends, in the shadow of the historic brick factory and iconic smoke stacks that define St Peters.

Address: 15 May St, St Peters

3. Chuck & Son’s Brewing Co.

Chuck Hahn at Chuck & Son's Brewing Co. — Taste the brews of Sydney’s OG brewer.

While you’re in St Peters, pop into Chuck & Son’s for an IPA, hoppy hazy or amber ale. Brewer, Chuck Hahn, is also the man behind James Squire, Malt Shovel and Hahn Brewery – so you know the brews here are good. Especially when you’re sipping them on the sunny rooftop terrace.

There’s also an impressive wine list (especially for a brewery) and creative cocktails. Try the hop-infused gin negroni for a beer-related twist on an old favourite. An onsite food truck serves up burgers and rice bowls.

Address: Unit 3E-3F/1-7 Unwins Bridge Rd, St Peters

4. Future Brewing

interior future brewing sydney inner west ale trail — Taste brews that throw science into the mix.

A new(er) kid on the block, Future Brewing has quickly become popular with the locals. Taking a new twist on brewing, owner and brewer Brady Hannett was a scientist before he switched careers, so it’s no surprise the beers are beloved. Pop in on the weekend to pair your beer with tasty meals from a changing sister of food trucks.

Address: 82 May Street, St Peters

5. Hawke’s Brewing Co.

food and beer at The Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre — Pair classic 80s-style Australian-Chinese with your brews. (Image: The Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre)

Taking inspiration from, arguably, one of Australia’s most famous Prime Ministers (for necking a beer, at any rate), The Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre is an icon of Marrickville and home to both Hawke’s Brewing and classic 80s style Australian-Chinese restaurant Lucky Prawn. Find the core range and limited releases on the taps here.

Everything about this venue screams RSL, from the sports memorabilia plastering the walls to the wood panelling and brown glass.

Address: 8-12 Sydney St, Marrickville

6. Hopsters Co-operative

Hopsters Co-operative sydney — Join the community at Hopsters Co-operative.

As Australia’s first brewing cooperative, Hopsters is definitely worth the trip. Fully funded and run by members, you’ll find heaps of events to enjoy with your huge range of beers (and even wines). Think trivia, comedy, Queers and beers nights, masterclasses and brewer talks.

Address: 198 Enmore Rd, Enmore

7. Kicks Brewing

exterior of Kicks Brewing sydney — Pop into this small family-run taproom.

For a small family-run taproom, Kicks packs a big punch. Focused on creating fresh, progressive (but very drinkable) beers, expect strong hop flavours, bold American-style IPAs and some very out-of-the-box flavours. Match it with a rotating international eats from various food trucks parked outside.

Address: 31 Shepherd St, Marrickville

8. Mixtape Brewing & Bar

pizza and tacos at mixtape Brewing & Bar inner west ale trail sydney — Enjoy a menu as good as the beers.

The real beauty of Mixtape, beyond its size that means it usually has space even on a busy day, unlike some of the smaller venues, is that not only does it sell its own brews (and damn good pizza), but it sells a selection of other Inner West brews as well. So if you’re only going to do one-stop, this should be it. Here, 18 taps pour Mixtape’s small batch brews, while a handful more Aussie and international craft beers. Truly one of my favourite stops along the trail.

Address: 142A Victoria Rd, Marrickville

9. Philter Brewing

bar at Philter Brewing sydney — Book ahead or get in early for this popular Sydney brewery.

Philter is one of the most reliable breweries if you’re a fan of knowing what you’re going to get. The Philter XPA, in particular, is almost a staple on bar taps around the city. The onsite restaurant also serves up pizzas, burgers, wings, snacks and share plates.

Despite the multiple levels in the converted factory space (a public bar, retro rooftop bar and sports bar), Philter is one of the busier breweries. So make a booking or aim to get there a little earlier than lunchtime to nab a table.

Address: 92-98 Sydenham Road, Marrickville

10. Pickled Monkey Brewing Co.

Pickled Monkey Brewing Co. sydney — Ignore the name and taste the beer. (Image: Facebook/Pickled Monkey Brewing Co.)

A huge 24-taps at Pickled Monkey Brewing Co. makes this brewpub more than just a funny name. But the name is odd, and it has an odder backstory. In the 1900s, a few wooden barrels turned up at the University of NSW from Oxford University. Assuming they were filled with beer, a few cheeky wharfies cracked them open. As it turned out, they were drinking the juice of pickled monkeys that were en route to the UNSW Biology Department for dissection. Gross. Luckily, the actual beers are anything but.

Unique brew flavours and a menu packed with pizzas and tacos keep things interesting in this open-plan pub.

Address: 127 Victoria Rd, Marrickville

11. Sauce Brewing Co.

delivery to Sauce Brewing Co. sydney — Sit in Sauce’s beer garden. (Image: Destination NSW)

Perfect for summer, Sauce Brewing Co. features one of the best beer gardens in Sydney, though it’s usually packed full of punters with their kids and dogs. Grab one of their small, core range of beers or try a wilder, one-off flavour. Canned cocktails are also on offer, as well as a food truck roster from Thursday to Sunday, serving either burgers, barbecue or tacos.

Address: 1a Mitchell St, Marrickville

12. The Grifter

The Grifter sydney taproom — Enjoy The Grifter beers on taps around Sydney, or head to the source.

Another OG and favourite of Marrickville, The Grifter is also a popular beer to find on taps around the city. But if you head straight to the source (inside a former laundromat warehouse), find 12 taps including the core range, seasonal and one-off brews. Some of the unique tastes they’ve had over the years include watermelon pilsner, pink lemonade sour and oatmeal stout.

Address: 1/391-397 Enmore Rd, Marrickville

13. Wayward Brewing

Wayward Brewing sydney — Take in tacos and beers. (Image: Destination NSW)

Beginning life as a winery, the Wayward Brewing venue really sets a dark and intimate mood. Set underground with oak barrels, brew tanks and cosy cellar rooms, find 24 beers on tap at a time, plus an alcoholic seltzer range. The beers are award-winning for a reason – besides the taste, Wayward is committed to producing a top-quality product. All the beers are preservative-free, unpasteurised, unfiltered and made with natural ingredients.

Come nighttime (or all day on weekends), the in-house Wayward Eats food truck serves up a menu of burgers, loaded fries, tacos and quesadillas.

Address: 1 Gehrig Ln, Camperdown

14. White Bay Brewery

White Bay Brewery sydney — Be sure to order pizza with your craft brew. (Image: Facebook)

White Bay may be the furthest brewery away on this trail, but the staff are so dang friendly that it’s worth the bus ride. Not to mention the views, the cute fit-out inside a 150-year-old steel mill and the very easy-to-drink beer varieties. The wood-fired pizzas served here are absolutely delicious.

Address: 26C Mansfield St, Rozelle

15. Wildflower Brewing & Blending

Hands down, Wildflower is the most beautiful brewery venue in Sydney. Likely even in the world. Aesthetic wooden barrels and dried flowers decorate the interior, while a Melbourne-like laneway makes for a breezy outdoor area on a hot day.

They also have a particularly unique approach to their brewing. Using Indigenous yeast collected from the bush to create wild-fermented brews. The result is a very unique, tart and slightly pungent flavour. They also make natural wines, and personally, the red varieties here are my drink of choice.

Address: 11-13 Brompton St, Marrickville

16. Willie The Boatman

Willie The Boatman brewery sydney — Relax in comfy couches. (Image: Destination NSW)

This pet-friendly spot is not only adorably decked out with an 1850s oak bar literally imported from a US saloon, comfortable couches, hanging plants and vintage signs, but it also has a very agreeable roster of brews to choose from. Everything from a pale ale to a cherry sour. Honestly, one of the tastiest sours going. Head in on Friday to Sunday for a free sausage sizzle.

Address: Enter Via, Precinct 75 Suite 601 75 Mary Street, Edith St, St Peters

17. Young Henrys Brewing

mural and patrons at Young Henrys Brewing sydney — Feel the vibes at Young Henrys Brewing. (Image: Destination NSW)

Another very common sight to see in pubs all around Sydney, Young Henrys’ Newtowner is basically the mascot of Sydney. Set inside a converted warehouse, listened to very Aussie tunes (hello, AC/DC ) surrounded by massive wall murals and very mulleted staff. Besides the core range, try a few experimental brews that rotate.

Address: 76 Wilford St, Newtown

18. Bracket Brewing

Coming (back) soon, Bracket Brewing is in the middle of moving house from Alexandria to Marrickville, so there’s not much to say about the decor just yet. But we’re sure many Inner Westie fans will continue to love it for its monthly new beer releases.

Address: 2/48 Addison Road, Marrickville

19. Yulli’s Brews

Yullis Brews Food — Come for the beer, stay for the Thai food. (Image: Facebook/Yulli’s Brews)

This one isn’t on the official trail as it’s located in Sydney’s Inner South, but it really should be. Just as much as the craft beer (on which there are often very affordable specials on pints and jugs), the food is hands-down the best of any Sydney brewery. Not so surprising when considering that Yulli’s started as a vegan restaurant in Surry Hills before expanding to its brewery location in Alexandria.

Find an extensive menu of vegan Thai food, from small snacks, like shitake tofu dumplings, to main meals with all your favourites – but their pad see ew noodle dish is to die for. As for beers, they have some pretty unique blends, like the tangy Mandarin IPA, along with all the staples. They also have alcoholic seltzer and ginger beer

Address: 75a Burrows Road, Alexandria

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

With more than 60 nationalities calling it home and a century of Italian influence shaping its paddocks and plates, Griffith is a regional Australian town with serious culinary cred.

It might feel surprising to learn that Griffith is one of Australia’s leading food destinations. In-the-know Italians have understood this for generations, drawn to the Riverina region’s fertile soils that reminded them of the terrain they’d left behind more than a century ago. These days, Griffith supplies much of the nation’s pantry: 95 per cent of Australia’s prunes come from the region, it’s the country’s largest citrus-growing area, and it’s a leading producer of almonds and walnuts. Even the pickles in every McDonald’s burger nationwide are produced in Griffith. This is not just a farming town; the Griffith food scene is leading the way.

Here, culinary confidence is rooted in migration. Italian families began arriving from 1913, with a second wave settling after the Second World War. Today, Griffith has the highest proportion of Italian ancestry of any Local Government Area in Australia. Add to that more than 60 nationalities represented across the community and you have a town where food is driven not by trends, but by tradition. Griffith’s motto, ‘Taste our culture’, isn’t marketing spin; it’s the reality.

Where the vines tell a story

A hand pouring wine into a glass, with a table filled with food. — Uncover the stories behind every glass. (Image: Destination NSW)

The Riverina has long been dubbed the food bowl of Australia, but it’s also a wine region that remains largely under the radar. What sets Griffith apart is that every one of its wineries is family-owned, many spanning generations.

Calabria Family Wines is one of the region’s standard-bearers. The Calabria story began in 1945 when Francesco Calabria planted his first vines; today, the family continues to shape the region’s identity while also stewarding the historic McWilliam’s Wines brand. McWilliam’s was the first winery to plant vines in the area, and its barrel-shaped cellar door – complete with a soaring stained-glass window – remains one of the most distinctive in regional NSW.

Yarran Wines, run by the Brewer family, showcases estate-grown fruit across Mediterranean varietals that thrive in the warm climate. Expect bold reds and textured whites that reflect both heritage and innovation.

Set inside the old ambulance station, Harvest HQ is owned and operated by the Riverina Winemakers Association and pours a rotating selection of local wines under one roof. It also features spirits from The Aisling Distillery, reinforcing the region’s collaborative approach to craft.

At the table

A flat lay of a steak. — Dine where tradition meets a bold new generation. (Image: Visit Griffith)

If the vineyards tell one story, the dining rooms tell another. Griffith’s restaurants are where tradition and next-gen confidence meet.

Zecca Handmade Italian occupies the former Rural Bank building, an imposing Art Deco landmark from the late 1930s. ‘Zecca’ means money print, and the name is a nod to the Zecca di Venezia in Venice. Here, find the Riverina’s only producer of dried artisan pasta and traditional Italian recipes. Importantly, the growers and producers supplying the kitchen are listed on the menu as a transparent expression of the region’s farm-to-table ethos.

Established in 1977 and still run by the Vico family, La Scala puts authentic Italian cuisine on centre stage. Expect handmade pasta, traditional wood-fired pizzas, slow-cooked sauces and dishes that follow recipes guarded like family heirlooms. For something more contemporary, Bull & Bell in Gem Hotel is a shrine to the Euro-style steakhouse that works closely with local farmers and artisans to showcase Riverina produce.

And then there are the institutions. Bertoldo’s Pasticceria, now in its third generation, draws locals daily for cannoli, biscotti, crostoli and house-made gelato, alongside classic sausage rolls and potato pies. La Piccola Grosseria feels like stepping into an Italian alimentari, its shelves lined with continental goods that wouldn’t feel out of place in Puglia.

Meanwhile, Limone celebrates local and seasonal produce across breakfast and lunch menus, enriched by the produce and stories of Piccolo Family Farm. Find pastries and sourdough baked daily, and pop into the onsite retail pantry for products from regional producers – including the Piccolo family’s own wine range, Caro Piccolo.

From the source

A plated Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod dish. — Taste world-renowned Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod, straight from its source. (Image: Visit Griffith)

Behind every menu is a producer. Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod is perhaps Griffith’s most high-profile export; the brand’s Murray cod and Aquna Gold Murray Cod Caviar have achieved global recognition. In October 2024, Aquna presented its products to King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the NSW Premier’s Community BBQ in Parramatta. Impressed by the producer’s sustainable farming practices, the King requested the cod be sent to Buckingham Palace – not bad for a fish farm in regional NSW.

Mandolé Orchard champions almonds grown on a family-run farm, transforming them into almond milk and value-added products. At Morella Grove, olives are pressed into premium olive oil and pantry staples that speak to Griffith’s Mediterranean heart. These producers are not peripheral; they are central to the town’s culinary ecosystem. Learn about local sustainable farming practices during a farm tour.

Mark your calendar

A woman walking past a food mural, something you can spot during A Taste of Italy Griffith. — Plan your visit around A Taste of Italy Griffith. (Image: Visit Griffith)

For a town that helps stock Australia’s supermarkets, Griffith has remained curiously absent from the national dining conversation. That’s beginning to change. If you’ve been searching for a regional food destination with substance, heritage and a clear sense of identity, you’ll find it here in the Riverina, right under your nose.

Time your visit to the Riverina region to coincide with A Taste of Italy Griffith, held every August. This week-long celebration of Italian heritage and culture offers a wide range of Italian-inspired events and experiences to enjoy. Expect long-table lunches, wine tasting experiences, cooking classes and a Makers in the Piazza market. The headline event is a ticketed long lunch – Festa delle Salsicce (Salami Festival) – where winners of the best salami are announced.

Start planning your foodie getaway at visitgriffith.com.au.

The 19 best breweries along Sydney’s Inner West Ale Trail

Discover our top picks along Sydney’s Inner West Ale Trail, most of which are within easy walking distance of each other.

1. Batch Brewing Co.

2. Brickworks Brewing

3. Chuck & Son’s Brewing Co.

4. Future Brewing

5. Hawke’s Brewing Co.

6. Hopsters Co-operative

7. Kicks Brewing

8. Mixtape Brewing & Bar

9. Philter Brewing

10. Pickled Monkey Brewing Co.

11. Sauce Brewing Co.

12. The Grifter

13. Wayward Brewing

14. White Bay Brewery

15. Wildflower Brewing & Blending

16. Willie The Boatman

17. Young Henrys Brewing

18. Bracket Brewing

19. Yulli’s Brews

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This surprising regional town is making its mark on the culinary world

With more than 60 nationalities calling it home and a century of Italian influence shaping its paddocks and plates, Griffith is a regional Australian town with serious culinary cred.

Where the vines tell a story

At the table

From the source

Mark your calendar

Discover our top picks along Sydney’s Inner West Ale Trail, most of which are within easy walking distance of each other.

1. Batch Brewing Co.

2. Brickworks Brewing

3. Chuck & Son’s Brewing Co.

4. Future Brewing

5. Hawke’s Brewing Co.

6. Hopsters Co-operative

7. Kicks Brewing

8. Mixtape Brewing & Bar

9. Philter Brewing

10. Pickled Monkey Brewing Co.

11. Sauce Brewing Co.

12. The Grifter

13. Wayward Brewing

14. White Bay Brewery

15. Wildflower Brewing & Blending

16. Willie The Boatman

17. Young Henrys Brewing

18. Bracket Brewing

19. Yulli’s Brews

AI Prompt

Iconic North Sydney pool to reopen this August after five years

IKEA is offering a designer stay in Sydney for just $19.95 a night

A four-level dining venue with dazzling views just opened on Sydney Harbour

60 of the best restaurants in Sydney for 2026

With more than 60 nationalities calling it home and a century of Italian influence shaping its paddocks and plates, Griffith is a regional Australian town with serious culinary cred.

Where the vines tell a story

At the table

From the source

Mark your calendar