If you’re into sours, milk stouts and all things bonkers in brewing, Botany’s first micro-brewery needs to be on your tap list. Inside a converted 1950s warehouse on the backstreets, locals Meg Barbic and Clay Grant work hard at creating a community environment in their dog- and kid-friendly taproom – offering comedy and trivia nights, daily food trucks, pool comps and even a run club. Head brewer Nick Calder-Scholes delivers endless surprises with a range that veers from sessionable to surreal, with a speciality in experimental IPAs and award-winning sours, some almost smoothie-like in form, bursting with real fruits like mango, dragonfruit and watermelon. 5 Erith St, Botany; onedropbrewingco.com.au

Born in Brisbane, Felons opened a new microbrewery and beer hall on Manly Wharf in October last year, expanding its footprint further next door with Felons Seafood in June this year. There’s not much that can beat beer and seafood by the water during a Sydney summer, and Felons’ core range offers a refreshing selection of crisp lagers, punchy ales and lip-smacking cider and ginger beer. Both venues are slinging impressively Sydney-coded menus – overseen by ex-Rockpool chefs Corey Costelloe and Luke Bourke – which are packed with (unsurprisingly) beer-friendly beachy snacks and sustainable seafood mains. Even the pizza dough is fermented with a splash of Felons’ Australian Pale Ale. E Esplanade, Manly; felonsbrewingco.com.au

A group of beer-loving Northern Beaches dads are behind this community-minded Brookvale brewery and taproom. The brewery was created out of local crowdfunding, and now goes the extra mile to support local sports clubs, artists and businesses. But it’s the beer that’s at the heart of the operation, and the brewskies are as laid-back as the atmosphere, with beers designed to appeal to the area’s surfie culture. From the founding pilsner and easy-drinking pale ale and XPA to the more adventurous Mango Hazy IPA, you’ll find just the thirst-quencher you’re after while you kick back at the bar or in the kid- and dog-friendly beer garden. A hearty feed is also guaranteed, thanks to next-door neighbours Sale Pepe, which offers a huge range of pizzas, as well as pasta, salads, calzone and desserts. Live music keeps the energy levels high on weekends. 14/9 Powells Road, Brookvale; 7thdaybrewery.com.au

Beer-lovers are spoiled for choice in Brookvale, with half a dozen options to choose from, but you’re always guaranteed a good time at Bucketty’s, where the whole family is welcome. There’s a kids’ play area to keep two-legged babies entertained, while four-legged fur-babies are welcome throughout – as long as they play nice with other pooches. For the grown-ups, there’s a choice of 15 regularly rotating beers on tap – both Bucketty’s brews and guest pours – as well as cider, ginger beer and a range of non-alcoholic options. The food menu is equally generous, with six big burgers to choose from, as well as some epic loaded fries and sizzling wings. Once night falls, it’s time to take the hounds and little humans home, as the brewery transforms into a live music venue. 26 Orchard Rd, Brookvale; buckettys.com.au

For a brewery that opened in the Blue Mountains just weeks before the devastating 2019 Black Summer fires, Mountain Culture has enjoyed some truly remarkable success. Since those early dark days, the brewery has gone on to become one of Australia’s most popular independent brewers, topping the GABS Hottest 100 craft beers list for the past three years The original Katoomba brewpub is still the best place to enjoy the huge range of Mountain Culture beers on offer – kick back on the deck with a burger and an ice-cold ale, and soak in the mountain air. The main brewery is now located at a much larger Emu Plains facility, which also has a taproom and rotating food trucks. Or drop by the new Redfern digs for a more inner-city mountain vibe. 23-25 Parke St, Katoomba; mountainculture.com.au

A joint venture between Mountain culture and Wildflower Brewing, here you can get a taste of the best of both worlds, with 10 taps dedicated to each brewer. If you’ve never tried a Wildflower beer before, you’re in for a treat – these brews are made in the Old World style from wild yeasts harvested from native NSW flowers (hence the name). Complex, nuanced and always interesting, the pairing of Wildflower with the more out-there, modern style of Mountain Culture shouldn’t work, but it does. Regular guest pop-ups in the kitchen keep things firing on the food front, and before you leave, a stop at Gold Street Dairy next door is a must. 11-13 Brompton St, Marrickville; wildflowerbeer.com

This Marrickville craft brewery sports one of the Inner West’s best beer gardens – the perfect spot for a Sunday session, or lingering stop-over on a trek along the Inner West Ale Trail. Quench that thirst with one of the guaranteed-to-please brews from the core range, or explore what Sauce is really capable of and ask for a tasting paddle. You might encounter a roasted pineapple XPA, a honey-infused IPA or a mimosa wheat beer – there’s always something new on offer. Or opt for one of Sauce’s ‘Twizzle’ craft cocktails – canned and ready to serve. Rotating food trucks keep thirsty punters fuelled; live music, trivia, televised sport and special events keep the good times rolling. 1a Mitchell St, Marrickville; sauce.beer

Hidden beside the Bedwin Road bridge crossing, this is a beer-lover’s haven. Chuck and Son’s was founded by brewing legend Chuck Hahn (James Squire, Malt Shovel and Hahn Brewery) and his son Scott. Their aim? To deliver the best of the brews that Chuck has spent half a century perfecting, and what he calls his “proudest work so far”. You’ll find all the classic styles here, from lagers and IPAs to pale ales and amber ales, along with cocktails, premium wines and a pumping atmosphere. Joining the team this year is Tony Eats – a custom-built food trailer from the founder of Whole Beast Butchery – which is slinging all the best Australian and American old-school favourites, from snacks and share plates to burgers and hot dogs. Unit 3E-3F/1-7 Unwins Bridge Rd, St Peters; chuckandsonsbrewing.com.au

A brewery in The Shire? You betcha. Sunday Road is all about looking forward to – and then making the most of – the best day of the week. This buzzing spot in Kirrawee is the ideal place to kick back of a weekend, and the beers are as easy-going as the atmosphere – the best-selling Enigma XPA, the award-winning Cryotherapy hazy IPA and the breezy Coastal Track lager are highlights in a solid core range that’s flanked by a rotating line-up of special releases. But don’t expect anything too wild here – this isn’t the Inner West. Sunday Road is about good times, good mates and great beer. Guest food trucks supply solidly satisfying grub, and live music on Sundays (of course) keeps the good vibes coming. 147 Bath Rd, Kirrawee; sundayroadbrewing.com.au