If days of the week were animals, then we all know Wednesday would be a camel. And according to a leading Australian liquor store, camels are thirsty! So it’s only fitting that on the day of the hump, Melburnians are too and throughout summer there’s a place in town that will be more than happy to quench your thirst. Beer Deluxe has opened their new Summer Hop Up that will provide an ultimate oasis of craft beer, fine foods and live entertainment.
The beautiful location right in Federation Square will be your perfect answer to after work drinks on your hump day, because the beers just can’t wait until the weekend. And your boss will forgive you for the sore head on Thursday when he’s the one buying the next round.
The large, already impressive beer garden will transform into a beer lovers dream come true every Wednesday. Complete with a cute outdoor bar featuring an array of local and international beers and ciders on tap plus additional rotating craft brewery pop-up bars.
It’s not just the pop-up bars that will make Wednesdays your new favourite day of the week, but the food trucks to accompany them. Every week a new Melbourne favourite will park itself at the venue for its patrons to indulge in anything from American style burgers to German sausages. The opening night on November 18 did not disappoint, with not only a delicious menu on the food truck, but delicious food all around. Next to the bar sat two huge dishes of Spanish paella for only $5. An affordable feed to go with your affordable beer. And the Beer Deluxe kitchen has an impeccable menu of gourmet bar food, pizzas and burgers.
The live music on the night was in the form of a house DJ with some mellow beats creating the perfect atmosphere. It was a little bouncy and upbeat to get your toes tapping, but not so invasive that you couldn’t have a chat to your friend across the table.
It didn’t exactly have the feel of a place that you would still be kicking on at in the a.m, but that’s why it’s so great! You can stop off for a few quiet ones on your way home from work, which will turn into just a few more before sneaking home just before midnight and trying the “meeting ran later than expected” excuse on the missus.
Every week Beer Deluxe changes things up with their beers on tap so the daring consumers can always guarantee they will be trying something new. This place is definitely one for experimenting, with no Carlton Draught or VB in sight. With so many beers available there will definitely be one for you, and if it’s not on the first try, then the beauty of Beer Deluxe is that you can just keep drinking ’til you find it. You can’t argue with that.
The staff members on hand will give you a run down on the specialty beers available and they’ll happily explain the brewing process and what makes each so special. You can’t get that kind of experience just anywhere.
The industrial decor made up of wooden benches and steel framing of red, silver and black is complimented by spots of hanging gardens, astro turf and the impressive green glass from the Federation Square building as the backdrop to each side. It’s an impressive place to say the least. And fear not for the days when sunshine and 30 degrees turns into downpours and 12 in an instant in true Melbourne style. Just inside there is a stylish bar area with an added comfortable seating area in the foyer of the Federation building.
But overall, I think it’s the crowd I found at the venue that says the most about Beer Deluxe, because it was really a diverse mix of Melburnians. There were groups of men in suits straight from the office making quite a ruckus, quirkily dressed hipsters taste testing the new beers on tap this week, girlfriends catching up over a glass of wine and uni students celebrating end of exams with a few cheap beers.
It’s hard not to see why it brings crowds from all ages and professions, with the easy-going atmosphere and extremely reasonably priced drinks considering the location. With beers and wines starting from around $8, I dare say I’ll be back before you can say ‘thirsty camel’.
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