Collingwood Beer Trail – Taste the 3066

A wise person once said that beer is what binds us Melburnians together. Without fact checking this person, there is a vein of truth to that sentiment. In the late 1800s, Collingwood was arguably the epicentre of Australian brewing. Today, pubs are dotted across the inner city, and in the inner north in particular, it is a literal hop, skip and jump to the next establishment. The launch of the Collingwood Beer Trail hearkens back to our longstanding history of beer making and celebrates five breweries that currently operate in the area.

In the recent past, the eclectic suburb of Collingwood has once again become a mecca for independent craft breweries. The Collingwood Beer Trail includes visits to Stomping Ground, Bodriggy, Fixation, Molly Rose and The Mill. Fortunately, all breweries are within a kilometre radius. (Well, thereabouts. But after a few beers, you won’t even notice.) A pass valued at $30 includes three beer samples at all venues, and once all five venues are ticked off, you can pick up a handy Beer Trail tote bag – perfect for the travellers.

Milk Bar took part in the historic beer trail one sunny autumnal Sunday. Our first stop was the majestic Stomping Ground Brewery and Beer Hall. Not having been to the venue since before COVID, I forgot how relaxed and inviting the atmosphere is. Here, we sampled three killer beers. The Passionfruit Smash was reminiscent of summer and, overall, wasn’t an overpowering sour. Second and third were Pridelweiss, an Australian wheat ale, created in celebration of Midsumma, and the classic Hop Stomper IPA. We downed the samples in the converted warehouse and sat in the chilled beer garden.

Next stop was Bodriggy Brewing Co. on Johnston Street (Abbotsford). A once-upon-a-time Auto LP gas conversion garage, the vibe of Bodriggy is upbeat, fast-paced and frivolous. With a live band playing in the background, we sampled the Speccy Juice, a tough but quite enjoyable drink. We also sampled the Kölsch, a draught that has a subtle citrus aroma that keeps it light and a bit of a fun, and finished off with the Utropia Pale, which was a favourite among the three.

Molly Rose Brewing was third on the list for which we ventured back to the heart of Collingwood. Here, we tried the When Life Gives You Lemons (a bright golden ale brimming with fruity hops), Skylight (an IPA) and Scarf Weather (a spiced American amber ale).

Down on Smith Street is Fixation Brewing Co., which arrived on the scene in 2018. With fresh beers dropping every week, we recommend the IPA India Pale Ale, the Hoppy lager and the 30666 – an Imperial Red IPA, for those who are game enough.

The Mill Brewery was founded by Mirek Aldridge in late 2016. Here, we recommend the Australian Pils, moderately hopped and tasty; Trigga Happy, an IPA/India Pale Ale; and it was a tie between the Tropical Sour or the I Can’t Believe It’s Not Juice, an IPA for New England.

With a month to complete the Beer Trail, you can annihilate all five venues in one session or spread them out over a few weekends. The choice – and journey – is all yours. So, grab a map, gather some friends and wander through the same streets where long-forgotten breweries once were and drink your way through the best breweries of the present day.

Collingwood Beer Trail
collingwoodbeertrail.com.au