Sydney’s much-loved Inner West Ale Trail has expanded its realm to encompass 18 independent microbreweries, spanning six of the city’s inner-west suburbs and officially launching as a collective.
For many years, the Inner West craft brewing sector has been a major contributor to the city’s local economy, recognised as a unique destination for local tourism.
Now, backed by funding to boost its status as the ‘craft capital of Australia’, the collective offers patrons more than 320 unique craft beers brewed on-site across its network, along with a choice of 15 restaurants and food trucks and more than 60 events taking place each week.
Funding from the NSW Government’s Uptown Grant Program and the CID Trial Program has allowed the collective to launch a new website, social storytelling and an activation program, all designed to attract visitors from Sydney and beyond.
Richard Adamson, Young Henrys Co-founder, says: “The grant funding is used to promote the Inner West as a vibrant, going-out district and unique tourism destination.
“This is being delivered through the development of brand platforms and marketing campaigns, a comprehensive directory website, digital content, social media, pop-up tinnie bar activations at local events and PR to get the message out to media. There will also be physical improvements to wayfinding, lighting, and patron safety.”
Darcy Byrne, Inner West Mayor, added: “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.”
The craft capital of Australia
Currently, the Inner West Ale Trail includes 17 breweries within a five-kilometre radius, spread across Marrickville, Enmore, Newtown, St Peters, Rozelle and Camperdown, with the 18th venue, Bracket Brewing, expected to open by November this year.
Existing breweries include Young Henry’s in Newtown, famed for kickstarting the Inner West Ale Trail in 2012, along with Wildflower & Mountain Culture’s newly-opened joint taproom Village in Marrickville and its neighbouring venue Philter Brewing, which unveiled the third venue space at its Sydenham Road HQ just last month.
With all breweries in the Inner West now members of the Inner West Brewing Association, Adamson says they’ll benefit from the additional resources the grants have allowed them to harness and increased promotion of the area as the country’s destination for craft beer, artisan food and spirits, culture, and good times.
“The association was initially founded to advocate for better recognition of the role breweries play in the economic contribution to the area and its cultural fabric. This has resulted in changes in the planning and liquor licensing laws that have benefited the entire state.
“As more difficult times have fallen on the industry, we must continue to work together to bring locals back out to enjoy what the Inner West has to offer, as well as attract interstate and international tourists to come and play where the creative people live and work.
“We want to be champions of the Inner West and share what our beloved home has to offer beyond breweries by shining on light on all the cool things happening around us,” he told Beer & Brewer.
Also located in Marrickville are Sauce Brewing Co, The Grifter Brewing Co, Mixtape Brewing & Bar, Batch Brewing, Kicks Brewing, Pickled Monkey Brewing, Willie the Boatman and The Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre, complete with the retro-inspired Lucky Prawn restaurant, among other award-winning breweries across the neighbouring suburbs.
To celebrate the launch of the new expanded collective, the Inner West Ale Trail unveiled its new website today – innerwestaletrail.com – with welcome offers valued over $200 available to download including two-for-one beers across all breweries.
The website will also feature the revolving roster of activities taking place across the full network, including live music, comedy, pool comps, Queers & Beers nights, Auslan-assisted nights, festivals and more.
Throughout October, trail-goers will also be able to enjoy a pop-up tinnie bar at ALFW games played at Henson Park in Marrickville.