Melbourne is a favourite destination to be based for a wine tour holiday. Geelong, the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, Sunbury and Geelong are all around an hour and a half from Melbourne CBD, and together they comprise over 170 wineries.

The wine heritage of the area is without doubt, but there is also a growing number of independent breweries producing quality craft beers. A great way to undergo a craft brewery or wine tour of Melbourne is by bus, and Sydney Executive Coach Charter are the number one coach operator in Melbourne.

Listed below are some of the best craft breweries and brew-pubs in Melbourne.

Mountain Goat Brewery

One of Melbourne’s oldest independent breweries is the Mountain Goat Brewery in Richmond. Their first beer Nightail Ale remains as popular as ever in the pub and bars of Melbourne. It has stiff competition from the organic Steam Ale and the refreshing Summer Ale which is as it sounds ideal for BBQ’s and picnics.

If you fancy popping down to Mountain Goat Brewery then every Wednesday to Friday there are free tours after 6.30pm, and they even serve pizzas for hungry visitors.

Stomping Ground

This old warehouse in Collingwood is a perfect place simply to hang out and with friends and enjoy the great craft beers. The Stomping Ground is packed out at weekends with groups filling the grand booths or sitting at the long timber tables.

The variety of beers brewed on the premises include big yeast beers, malty type beers and hoppy IPS’s, including some great stouts. If it is your first visit the tasting paddle of six beers is highly recommended.

Moon Dog Brewery Bar

Moon Dog microbrewery offers patrons fine craft beers, 80’s music and indoor cricket. Many of Melbourne’s liveliest bars and pubs offer beers brewed at Moon Dog, such as Love Tap!Chocolate Salty Balls!

The brewery bar is so atmospheric with clusters of velvet couches and upturned barrel tables. You can sip away with an odd guest pour whilst listening to an old Prince track, or partake in a Cold Drip War Coffee Stout. Or try a glass of Peverse Sexual Amalgam, which is a toasty black ale with cherry plums, or if you fancy something to put hairs on your chest try the Abbey Collaby, which is a sweet but deadly barley wine.

Temple Brewery Company

Temple Brewery Company in Brunswick is very much a working brewery, but is also an emporium very much for beer lovers. This beery warehouse also takes care of the stomach serving great bar snacks like, fries in a beer batter or a killer charcuterie and cheese platter.

There are six kinds of craft ales to try, plus a very acceptable cider. If you can’t make up your mind try the the tasting rack, and five beers will be delivered to your table for you to sample and enjoy.

Melbourne certainly has a thriving microbrewery community, and the residents can enjoy a vast range of locally produced ales, lagers, beers, stouts and ciders fresh from the brewery.