The Local Taphouse: Pub specialising in Craft Beers, Darlinghurst (29 Oct 2011)

122 Flinders Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010

http://www.thelocal.com.au/SYD/

The Local gets a top up

A friend's birthday drinks brings me to The Local Taphouse for a few casual drinks. For those overwhelmed by the impressive variety of beer choices on the menu you can always ask the bartender to suggest a few for a Tasting paddle ($15, 5 x 90 ml) which I did. In hindsight I actually thought I should have picked the five most expensive beers since it was going to cost the same price anyway. I'll have to remember this tactic for next time. Having just had lunch I wasn't too hungry so just enjoyed the Beer battered steak fries with chilli served with saison aioli ($8). I hope to try the spicy buffalo wings next time though which sound like a tasty option that would go down nicely with a beer. A new roof top seating area takes advantage of a nice sunny afternoon and becomes more popular than the homely couches inside. I really like the interesting and somewhat quirky decor of this pub and with so many craft beers available I'm sure it'll satisfy even the most hardened of beer connoisseurs.

Other visits to The Local Taphouse:

• 29 Oct 2011 - Beer Tasting Paddle

• 31 Oct 2009 - Beer Tasting Paddle

• 13 June 2009 - Drinks

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Specialising in craft beers, Extensive variety, Interesting and homely decor, Helpful bar service on this visit, New roof top seating

CONS: Quality crafted beers rarely come cheap, You won't really find your stock standard commercially made beers here (but that's probably a good thing)

MUST TRY: Tasting paddle so you can sample a few different beers

VERDICT: A great pub to satisfy beer connoisseurs or those looking for an interesting place to catchup with friends

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Beers on tap and bottled

Beer battered steak fries with chilli served with saison aioli ($8) — nicely cooked and always a winning side in a pub

Tasting paddle ($15, 5 x 90 ml) — great idea to sample a few beers

Tasting paddle notes

Bar snacks — I must try their spicy buffalo wings next time

Tasting notes comes in very handy

Spooky tips during halloween

Rooftop makes for a great spot on a nice afternoon

Reflection shot

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The Local Taphouse: Beer Tasting Paddle, Darlinghurst (31 Oct 2009)

122 Flinders Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010

(Corner of South Dowling and Flinders)
http://www.thelocal.com.au

Beer Degustation

When confronted with too many choices I'm often wanting to try a bit of everything on a menu so a beer tasting paddle is a great way to try a selection of beers on offer at The Local Taphouse. I was thinking of just choosing the five most expensive beers but I decided to let the bar staff decide which ones to try and also place them in the order of drinking. It's a little scary picking up the paddle for the first time and manoeuvring your way back to your table through a busy crowd, but it's all part of the fun of drinking. I find this pub nice and cosy with it's vintage furniture and it's a nice place to sit down and chat over a drink earlier in the night before it gets too busy.

Other visits to The Local Taphouse:

• 31 Oct 2009 - Beer Tasting Paddle

• 13 June 2009 - Drinks

Tasting paddle: Duke Hefeweizen, Maltida Bay Alpha Pale Ale, Mountain Goat Hightail Ale, Mountain Goat Spicy Ducks Nuts, Murray's Pumpkin Ale $13

Beers are numbered in chalk on the wooden paddle

La chouffe 750 ml belgian beer

Opening hours

Beer menu

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The Local Taphouse: Beer, Darlinghurst (13 June 2009)

122 Flinders Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
(Corner of South Dowling and Flinders)
http://www.thelocal.com.au

Boutique beers on tap

A recent blog post by I Am Obsessed with Food reminded me I had forgotten to blog my own experience of this new kid on the block which I remember used to be the Palace Hotel. The renovations have changed it a lot and upstairs now reminds me more of a quirky yet funky Melbourne-style bar. I arrived late for some farewell drinks so missed out on ordering food but tried one of the many International beers on tap. Those who did order some meals for dinner said that the food was very good so I hope to revisit to try.

If you love your boutique beers then this place might be for you. Downstairs was really crowded, loud and chaotic when arriving around 11 pm on the Saturday night but upstairs was a lot more relaxed and chilled out by then with plenty of seats available.

Do you have a favourite beer?

Other visits to The Local Taphouse:

• 31 Oct 2009 - Beer Tasting Paddle

• 13 June 2009 - Drinks

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