The Public Brewery is tucked away in Croydon at the foot of Mount Dandenong. If you’ve just climbed the mountain, head to The Public Brewery for a well-deserved pint in the shaded beer garden. In the cooler months, get cosy inside with an ale by the open fire.
Take a seat at one of the wooden tables and take in the fit-out of the brewery, housed in a refurbished industrial shed. Then get down to the business of choosing your brew. The selection at The Public Brewery includes in-house brews as well as beers from other local boutique breweries. House favourites include the 100 Acres pale ale brewed with Australian hops the Red Falcon, a rich but dry American red ale and the Funky Town American brown, a chocolatey kettle-brewed sour.
Open for lunch and dinner, the kitchen at The Public Brewery serves classic pub fare created with quality ingredients. Wine from the region is also on the menu.
After sampling the offerings at The Public Brewery, you may be inspired to create your own signature brew. Book in for the hands-on brewing workshops and in 2 to 3 hours you’ll have your own 50-litre batch of craft beer. After a few weeks of fermentation, come back for a bottling session.
The Public Brewery in Croydon is about 30 kilometres east of Melbourne city. There’s plenty of on-street parking available, and if you’re travelling by train, Croydon train station is a 5-minute walk from the brewery. Brews and food are served Wednesday to Sunday. Check The Public Brewery website for opening times and details on events, such as live music.
On your way out, check out the Public Cellars, the shop where you can talk all things beer and grab a six-pack or two to take home. The bottle shop is open daily.