130 events over nine days: Sydney Beer Week is going to be one helluva busy time. Running 26 October to 4 November 2018, Sydney Beer Week showcases the best beer (and cider, and even…wine!) the country has to offer. This is your perfect chance to get to know more about the beer scene in Australia.
And here to help you do just that is our guide to the top events of Sydney Beer Week 2018.
Sydney Beer Week Opening Gala
Fri. 26 October, 6-10pm | Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour | $40
Kick off the week in the stylish surrounds of the Australian Maritime Museum. Over two dozen breweries are on hand to help you sample their wares and give a literal taste of what to expect during the rest of the festival. With food trucks and live entertainment, this is one amazing Friday night.
Yoga, Beer & BBQ Brunch
Sat. 27 October, 10am-1pm | Four Points by Sheraton, Chippendale | $70
Exercise, then beer – a great combo! Get your stretching on with a one-hour ashtanga yoga session in Chippendale Green. Then enjoy a bottomless beer brunch (from 11am-1pm) at Four Points by Sheraton in Central Park.
Spring Craft Beer Fair
Sat. 27 October, 12pm-10pm | Customs House Bar, CBD | $45
Pop-up stalls in harbourside bar – we love it! Featuring top brewers Sydney Beer Co., Square Keg, Phoenix, Endeavour, Moo Brew, and Mountain Goat, you can taste away, then treat yourself to food (including a sausage sizzle).
Goose Island Cornhole Tournament
Sun. 28 October, 12-6pm | Petersham Bowling Club, Petersham | Free
Win an IPA a day for a year from Goose Island! The Chicago-founded brewery keeps things as American as apple pie with a cornhole (aka beanbag) tournament. Register your team, or come to enjoy the merriment and fun.
Garage Project Halloween at Frankie’s
Wed. 31 October, 8pm-3am | Frankie’s, CBD | Free
Halloween celebrations with superstar Kiwi craft brewery Garage Project mean one thing: complete and utter fun. The party will be even crazier than usual at Frankie’s (host of the Indies craft beer awards afterparty earlier this year, so a big friend to breweries and those who love ’em). Remember: no costume, no entry.
Bridge Road Brewers Sydney Harbour cycling cruise
Sat. 27 October, 11.30am-4pm | Sydney Opera House and surrounds | Free
Join Victorian craft brewers Bridge Road for a cycle session around the harbour. This free event has a stop for you to grab your own lunch — then the nice folks at Bridge Road are shouting everyone a beer at the end. Methinks one of their own would go down a treat.
Wayward’s 3rd Birthday Party
Sat. 3 November, 12-10pm | Wayward Brewing, Camperdown | Free
Camperdown brewery Wayward is one of The Plus Ones’ faves to take out-of-town friends. Their laneway brewery is just too cute for words — and will be even more so at their kid-themed bday bash. Giant ball pits, balloons, bouncy castles, free cake. Bring the kids and/or dress up for the theme ‘When I grow up, I want to be…’
Automata x Modus Dinner
Tue. 30 October, 7-10pm | Automata, Chippendale | $165
One of the best parts of Sydney Beer Week (and Good Beer Week in Melbourne) is the value you get when it comes to food events. Walk home after your four-course meal with your very own Spiegelau beer glass and a special Modus beer to keep from the winner of Champion Large Independent Brewery at this year’s Indies craft beer awards.
NOMAD’s Amazing Race
Sat. 27 October, 4-9pm | NOMAD Brewing, Brookvale | $40
Manly and surrounds play host to an Amazing Race x beer afternoon thanks to NOMAD Brewing. Grab friends and get ready to answer questions and solve clues as you run around (no doubt with plenty of beer to keep you hydrated along the way).
Endeavour ‘Journey of Taste’ with Applejack
Fri. 2 November, 6-10pm | various venues; CBD, Darlinghurst, The Rocks | $75
A tour through some of Sydney’s best venues, all in one amazing event! Applejack Hospitality takes you to their coolest bars: SoCal Sydney, The Botanist Kirribilli, Della Hyde, and Endeavour Tap Rooms. With transport via minibus and a host guiding you along the way, this is a night to remember.
Big Games in the Garden
Sun. 28 October, 12-5pm | Sauce Brewing, Marrickville | $2
Your Sunday session just got a lot more fun, thanks to one of our fave Sydney breweries, Sauce. They have three two-metre-long board games (think: giant Connect 4). Your ticket lets you play all three, with heats and prizes throughout the arvo.
Sourfest
Sun. 28 October, 12-7pm | Batch Brewing, Marrickville | Free
No self-respecting beer festival is without an event (or two, or three) devoted to sour beers. We’ve chosen Sourfest because it’s the first-ever one at Sydney Beer Week. Plus, it features food trucks and live music at one of Marrickville’s coolest breweries.
No matter which of the 130+ events you choose during Sydney Beer Week, you’ll be supporting the wide and wonderful international world of beer, not to mention the local hospitality industry. Explore new venues, visit old faves, and introduce yourself to some brews you’ve never tried before.
There’s something for everyone at Sydney Beer Week 2018. Cheers to a great time!
– Theresa
Co-founder of The Plus Ones, Theresa hopes to attend an event a day. See if she succeeds on her Instagram.
For the full program, visit www.sydneybeerweek.com.au. Follow along on the week’s adventures on @sydneybeerweek on Facebook and @sydney_beer_week on Instagram.
