A mate of mine (lets call him Matt) is obsessed with rating and tasting the perfect beer – for his ranking system a 5/5 would be the ultimate drop (shared via the Untapped App).
But I think there is a key variable missing from this system, and that is…..the location you are having the beer. For me, the best beer that you have ever tasted, in a dingy old bar will not taste very good at all. Conversely, you could be overlooking an amazing vista at sunset and a VB might even taste okay (although maybe going too far there!).
I have been fortunate to travel to many awesome places around Australia and the world, and my trips always involve tasting (at times excessive amounts of) local beers. So, here are a few of my favourite bars for tasting a local brew (in no particular order).
The trilogy for the ultimate beer experience is at an iconic sporting event such as an Ashes cricket test match at Lords or at Yankee Stadium – but I have excluded these from this list due to their unfair advantage for a sports nut like me. Also excluded are some of the obvious famous landmarks (aka Top of the Eiffel Tower), so some of my favs are off the beaten track!
The Opera Bar, Circular Quay, Sydney
Suggested beer, 4 Pines Pale Ale, Manly Sydney
This is probably my favourite bar in Australia – its got a great vibe at any time of the day but after work in the warmer months is unreal. The view is the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, watching the bridge climbers heading up and down the ‘coat hanger’. You also watch the ferries going in and out of Circular Quay. A great mix of tourists, business people and locals heading out for a night on the town. It’s a struggle to get a table but you always end up getting one and they all have a view.
Bar Gyu, Niseko, Hokkaido
Suggested beverage, Sake or Japanese Whisky (okay cheating a bit but it just fits!)
Otherwise known as the fridge bar, this is definitely the coolest après ski bar that I have been to. The entry is through an old fridge door so you could easily walk right past it. When you enter it’s a retro vibe with an amazing backdrop of snow-covered trees behind the bar. I had my first ever Sake there and what a place to do it. You can’t go to Niseko without a visit to this bar.
Neuschwanstein, Bavaria
Suggested Bier, anything from Bavaria is good, especially in a full stein
Germany, Bavaria, Bier, it all goes hand-in-hand! Even in summer the air is brisk. Enjoying a bier in a biergarten overlooking Neuschwanstein Castle is a great experience. After taking a hair-raising ride in the shuttle bus up to the castle from the village you will need to sample a local brew or two.
ESPN zone downtown Disney (although I have heard it has since closed ☹)
Suggested Beer, Anaheim Gold (don’t think anyone drinks Budweiser anymore right?)
America has a lot of great sports bars – and this was the ultimate sports bar for me. A huge TV screen surrounded by many other (not quite as) huge TV screens. This, on top of the personal TV screen in each booth and the unbelievable downtown Disney vibe make for a great night out. Apparently this has closed for another Disney mega-hotel – more money to be made there I guess!
The Keg, Embassy Suites, Niagara falls
Suggested Beer, Niagara Premium
This place has panoramic windows looking straight out at the horseshoe falls. You can sit at a booth and stare out for hours at this magnificent view. If you are lucky enough to stay at this hotel you can see the same view from your room. It’s a great place to stay, especially in the winter where (from personal experience) it can easily get to -13 degrees.
Foxy’s bar, Fitzroy Island, near Cairns, Qld
Suggested Beer, Great Northern (because its where you are!)
Now for something a lot warmer – One of my new favourites after a recent trip within the Queensland travel bubble. A great place for a beer anytime of the day, but especially at sunset where you can watch the sun setting over the water looking back towards the mainland. The reef located just off the beach is great for snorkeling with turtles.
Sunburst Lodge, mid-mountain, Sun Peaks, BC
Suggested beer, Anything as long as its served with one of their famous sticky cinnamon buns.
This place is a great place to ‘hydrate’ during a big ski session without having to go down to the village, especially on extra cold days. Its also accessible to non-skiers from the top of the sunburst chairlift. The sticky buns will have you on a sugar-high for at least a few hours.
Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Islands, Qld
Suggested Beer, something like a Stone & Wood Pacific Ale if its on offer
There is no bar or buildings here as its accessible via a day cruise only. This beach, part of a national park is one of the best beaches in the world. Beers are served from Eskys along with a beach BBQ and beach cricket – the perfect day out sitting on the pure white sand and swimming in the crystal-clear water.
Knoll Ridge Chalet, Whakapapa Ski Resort, North Island NZ
Suggested Beer, Any local craft beer is great
There’s nothing quite like sitting in a bar 2000m up the side of an active volcano (Mount Ruapehu), enjoying a local brew and enjoying the view from the top of the world. Not sure how they build something like this on the edge of a cliff, but I think you are just better off not thinking about it! Just take in the incredible views over the Tongariro National Park and Mount Doom (Mount Ngauruhoe).
The Cricketers Bar, Hotel Windsor, Melbourne
Recommended beer, Guinness, for no apparent reason
The historic Hotel Windsor is my favourite place to stay when I am in town, so of course I happen to end up in the Cricketers Bar when I am there. A great after work vibe and good for people watching as well being across the road from Parliament House and on busy Spring Street.
This list, of course isn’t definitive and I may add to it as others come to mind.
I am keen to hear if there are any other favourite bars out there for me to try, especially when we can all travel again.
Cheers!
