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Best of the beer cafes


It's official: the pub is no longer the sole home of the beer. In fact, Belgians, Bavarians and other Europeans cottoned onto the idea of pairing particular beers with appropriate cuisines way back in the early 1900s. Now, in the new century, it's oh-so-fashionable to sip - not scull - your beer, accompanied by an aperitif or main that counters the bitter, sweet or zesty aftertaste of a Hoegaarden, Honey Ale or even a Guinness.
Beer cafes Australia-wide have tapped into a growing market of fine diners who also yearn for fine alcoholic beverages - with a touch of experimentation. And who could blame them with tempting options like these?

1
 
Redoak Boutique Beer Cafe
Sydney
Making the decision easy, head chef Chris Beard and brewer David Hollyoak suggest beers for every single seafood, meat, cheese, vegetarian and dessert dish. Tasting boards offer the ultimate contrast in flavours, with four beers and four aperitifs paired up (take Honey Ale with duck spring roll for example). Renowned as Australia's most awarded boutique beer cafe, with its freshly brewed organic and zero-additive approach you won't fail with their ale.

2
 
Bavarian Bier Cafe Manly Wharf
Manly
An old-world experience to be savoured, the Bavarian Bier Cafe has hit a winning formula since its first Sydney incarnation opened in July 2005 in York Street in the CBD. Now, Sydney has five of these beauties, though it's hard to go past the beachside beer cafe at Manly Wharf. Even a regular fish and chips gets the Bavarian twist, saturated in a freshly brewed Lowenbrau bier batter.

3
 
Cho Gao Restaurant & Bar
Melbourne
Beer-and-meal combos are not just the domain of Europeans Cho Gao Asian Beer Cafe opens up its wide semi-traditional, semi-contemporary space for a casual, modern beer-house feel. Cho Gao, which means 'rice market' in Vietnamese, hints at the menu's carb-heavy rice and noodle concoctions, such as the Thai old fave, Pad Thai. And of course, there's no shortage of Asian bottled beers in stock.

4
 
European Bier Cafe
Melbourne
In the heart of Melbourne's CBD, the European Bier Cafe offers not one, not two, but 14 international beers on tap, and 50 varieties of beer in total, so you're bound to find something to go with your meal. Culinary forays into French, Dutch, Belgian and German cuisine provide no shortage of tastebud-teasing options either.

5
 
Little Creatures
Fremantle
Creatures of the night and day come out in Fremantle for this award-winning, all-Aussie pale ale brewery, which blends sweetness and bitterness through using the citric hop flowers. Located in the loft of the Little Creatures brewery, a grand old industrial boatshed, you're getting beer with no artificial preservatives or additives, as well as a varied menu of wood-fired pizzas and tasty tapas (featuring seafood, kangaroo and salads).

6
 
Belgian Beer Cafe Brussels
Brisbane
Belgium hits Brisbane in this majestic beer hall that may as well be in Brussels. Beer appreciation banquets run for $80 a pop, with four beer styles paired with an impressive European-infused three-course menu. In between the drinks, read the highly-detailed menu, which lets you know exactly what you're drinking, and the drink's history too. Who knew that Chimay Bleue ale would be perfect with Roquefort cheese?

7
 
Irish Murphy's
Hobart
Barrels of fun and gallons of beer? You've reached the site of Irish Murphy's in Tassie. Let the Guinness flow while you're making good with hearty pub grub made with fresh produce. Drink and dine inside, where beer barrels double for tables, or alfresco, under the shade of umbrellas. Irish stew and bangers and mash make customary appearances on the illustrious menu.

8
 
Belgian Beer Cafe Oostende
Adelaide
It's Adelaide's turn to go Belgian with this authentically crafted oak-lined beer hall that aims for an early to mid-20th-century vibe with its retro bar and European light fittings. Diversity is the name of the game here, and while there's no brewery on site, the sheer range of imported beers impresses, along with the traditional accompanying dishes, such as mussels, waterzooi (Belgian seafood stew) and the drool-worthy Belgian pancakes.