Review: Craft Beer in Darwin
Sweaty days in Darwin provided the perfect excuse for some cold beer drinking in the early evening, post some big days of workshops with local home brewers.
By Mick Guy.
I found the Top End home brew scene knowledgeable and experimental – always looking at ways to manage and play with the Darwin humidity. My timing was great as One Mile Brewing Company had only just opened their taphouse in Winnellie. The perfect spot for an afternoon beer with mates, I tested out their Otto’s Red Ale – a malt driven English Red and perfect for the balmy conditions.
Next stop was Six Tanks Brew Co – it was Saturday night so this place was pumping. Being on Mitchell St, their drink menu was diverse and, when it came to beers, they stocked their own brew with guest taps on show. I grabbed a Philter Brewing XPA (Sydney) to satisfy my hop urges – delicious with a great balance of pale malt and citrus hops.
The final destination was Stone House Wine Bar that, despite the name, has a great selection of craft beers on tap, with regular taps of Mountain Goat complimented with changing kegs of some lesser-known fine ales. I continued to indulge my desire for red ales and had a KAIJU! Hopped Out Red (Victoria). The courtyard provided the perfect space to sip while enjoying the tropical night air.
My first visit to Darwin was only four years ago and none of these establishments existed. Now I had my very own craft beer crawl on my hands. There is something for everyone, a range of beers to suit all palates, and different venue vibes to suit the kind of night you’re after. Awesome to see the growth of the craft beer community in Darwin – I will be back!
Mick Guy is a partner of Semi Pro Brewing Co. in Brisbane. He visited Darwin to deliver home brew workshops at ACCOMPLICE.
