The Inner West Ale Trail welcomes locals and tourists to the creative and community ordinated suburbs of Sydney’s Inner West. Officially launching as a collective, explore 18 hyperlocal, independent microbreweries spanning six Sydney suburbs – Marrickville, Enmore, Newtown, St Peters, Rozelle and Camperdown. Enjoy the best beers, eats and events on the trail.
The Inner West craft brewing sector has grown over the past decade to become one of the defining elements of Sydney’s local night time economy. Locals and visitors alike can revel in warm hospitality in inclusive, relaxed, family and dog friendly atmospheres. The public can sip on over 320+ unique craft beers made on site, and enjoy over 15 restaurants & food trucks, 100+ wines, spirits & ciders and over 60 events each week.
The Inner West Ale Trail is being recognised as a unique destination of local and international tourism appeal, with the support of funding from the NSW Government via the Uptown Grant Program & the CID Trial Program. With this support they are spreading the word far and wide with a new website, social storytelling, activation program to invite people from all over Sydney, Australia and beyond to experience the unique exploration experience, down to earth, welcoming hospitality of the Inner West and experience all the creativity on offer.
Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne notes, “The Inner West is to brewing and distilling what the Hunter Valley and the Barossa are to Australian wine. The initiatives we’re undertaking on behalf of these local businesses will only increase an ever-growing part of our local economy and encourage visitors to come and experience the unique vitality and vibrancy of the Inner West.”
With 17 breweries currently open within a 5km radius, the Inner West Ale Trail is hailed as the Craft Capital of Australia, appealing to locals, interstate tourists and international beer lovers. Each brewery offers a unique experience as colourful and diverse as the Inner West itself, with many venues in close proximity to each other.
There’s Young Henrys, the rollicking Newtown institution that kickstarted the Trail way back in 2012, and Philter Brewing in Marrickville which boasts a gorgeous resort-style rooftop bar and their newly opened old-school sports bar. Neighbouring Wildflower Brewing & Blending crafts unique beers fermented with wild yeasts from native flowers in its beautiful barrel room, while Camperdown’s Wayward Brewing offers 24 taps in a cool underground space that was once a winery, or catch an inner west sunset with a beer in hand at the legendary Sauce Brewing Co beer garden.
While award-winning beer may be the beating heart of the Trail, there’s plenty of non-beer options too. Visitors can expect extensive wine lists, freshly brewed seltzers and ciders, fresh takes on classic cocktails and non or low alcohol beers and beverages.
They all go perfectly with the Trail’s mouth- watering menus and unique eats set to get serious foodies frothing. Inside The Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre, their deliciously retro Lucky Prawn restaurant serves up prawn toast and deep-friend Viennetta, while The Grifter Brewing Co and White Bay Brewery deliver superb wood-fired pizzas. Meanwhile, it’s hard to go past Chuck & Sons Brewing Co’s lamb ribs marinated in amber ale, or a tasty falafel plate from Mixtape Brewing & Bar.
Additionally, the Ale Trail offers a revolving roster of free and fun events that includes live music, comedy, Queers & Beers nights, pool comps, ‘80s music bingo, Auslan-assisted nights, festivals and so much more. Keep across the stacked line-up of activities and festivities across the Inner West Ale Trail through the new website.
Sydney’s Inner West is a thriving industrial mecca of creativity and culture, progressive ideals, street art and a welcoming community. The trail encourages an experience of exploration throughout the six suburbs, with each of the breweries unique and creative in its own right.
With the cost of living crisis and effects still felt from the pandemic period, many local and independent brewers across the country are faced with financial difficulties and need support more than ever. Craft breweries provide hundreds of local jobs, space for community events and cultural activity.
To celebrate the launch of the new expanded collective, the Inner West Ale Trail have welcome offers available to download from the website, delivering $200+ worth of value including two-for-one beer’s, across all the breweries. There will also be an Inner West Ale Trail pop-up tinnie bar at the AFLW games played at Henson Park throughout October. Hit the trail for a tour de force of (soon to be) 18 great independent breweries and embrace the warm welcoming hospitality and the creative ambience of Inner West culture.
