Head over to Kensington to hang with the locals on Friday nights at Henry St Brewhouse. Like all good things in Melbourne, this brewery bar is not an obvious stop on the High Street. In fact, I had to inform my friend that lived in the neighbourhood that it existed. He went there immediately and declared he was never leaving.
The brewhouse's décor is DIY- with planks of wood fastened together to create benches and a small outdoor 'patio' that pulls into the brewery at the end of the night. (For beer drinkers in the know - if you like Hop Nation, then you'll also love Henry Street.)
For the undecided, or the unfamiliar, the bar offers tasting paddles with five samples of your choice of beer for $20. Sadly on the night we visited they had run out of at least three of the beers I was hoping try. But we managed to try everything else on the list, which provided a good intro to the range. (We declared the Monsieur Gray IPA the winner that night.) Local beer is the focus at this bar. So if you're feeling peckish, pull out the phone and order delivery.
The drawbacks are that it's only open on a Friday. Plus, like every brewery, it's open and draughty, so dress for the weather.
The beer bar (also serving a selection of spirits) is a laid back, unpretentious place to hang with friends. It's not my 'hood, but it was worth the trip to visit friends that do live there. It's a great addition to the Melbourne brewery bar scene. read more