Location
You wouldn’t normally expect a brewery to be located in a shopping centre amongst a range of home designer stores. But come to think of it, anyone who has looked for a sofa, outdoor furniture, or is involved in renovations will understand that these kinds of purchases lead to needing a drink! In fact, it gets its name from its proximity to the historic local council depot.
Depot straddles the length of the commercial site with its ‘sister’ cafe called Buckle, in the East wing with a pretty garden whilst newcomer Depot Brewery takes over the sizeable West wing.
The Design & Vibe
It’s an impressive brewery with soaring ceilings, exposed rafters, industrial pipes and six glorious gleaming stainless steel ‘look at me’ fermenters which reach to the heavens each containing 3000L of golden amber nectar of some description. Booth seating runs along one side of the bar which leads to the outside beer garden. It’s 35 degrees outside and there isn’t much shade, so we pick a table from one of the 250 seating options throughout the space.
With floor-to-ceiling windows, Depot is bathed in natural light, creating an airy atmosphere. The bar itself stretches the length of the space, lined with wooden high tables and stools, dominated by a sky high TV screens showing sport. Personally, a great brewery with awesome beers is all I need.
The Brews and award winning Brew team
The award-winning team of Ady Fitter and Ian Roxburgh brings a unique blend of friendship and brewing expertise to Depot Brewery. Ady, a passionate craft brewer, honed his skills at one of our favorites, Rocks Brewing Co. Meanwhile, Ian boasts an impressive portfolio, having worked with renowned brands such as The Australian Brewery, Yullis, Akasha, Malt Shovel, 4 Pines, and Young Henrys. Together, their collaboration results in brews that are on the money.
Twelve taps are split into six house beers and six rotating. House beers included Hard Ginger Beer, Ultra Crips, Draught, Pacific Ale, Xtra Pale and India. The ‘visiting beers’ included Summer Ale, English Porter, Hazy IPA, Blackberry Berliner Weisse, Hard Lemonade and Amber Ale.
Among my favorites on my $19 Tasting paddle are the Draught, which is beautifully malted, balanced, and refreshing. The Summer Ale has fruity notes, while the Porter impresses with its juicy richness and minimal bitterness. Although I’m not typically a fan of sour beers, the Weisse was a winner for those who enjoy that style. The Hard Lemonade is a fun pick- just remember, it’s not for the toddlers!
My dining pal, Kelly, opts for a Tommy’s Marg ($22) and it’s done well, with a nice balance of Tequila, lime and agarve syrup instead of Triple Sec creating a lighter option for a hot summer day.
The Food by Chef Baldwin
Chef Will Baldwin has worked across London venues plus a host of Sydney ones, (ex The Butler, Botanist, Bopp & Tone). The menu is well priced and has all the crowd pleasers, except my favourite salt & pepper squid!
We kick off with some feisty whole twice cooked chicken wings in Franks Sauce. Woof! It’s hot and delicious. Next up, is a house-made peri peri chicken pizza ($25), baked in a stunning pizza oven visible from the dining floor. This thin-crust pizza is topped with generous chunks of chicken and drizzled with peri mayo—an absolute delight. For mains Kelly wins the ordering stakes. I am scratching my head at what a riot this burger is. Did I say burger? It’s a double whammy patty monster for an insanely good value ($27). Juicy meat, cheese oozing in all the right places, right proportions of soft bun to meat ratio. It’s a cracker with crunchy seasoned fries. However, the fish and chips are a bit of a letdown—the barramundi is overcooked, resulting in more crunchy batter than fillet. The caesar salad is enjoyable but could be elevated with a few touches of swapping out ordinary bacon crumbs for nicely charred bacon pieces and slices of cooked chicken.
The DA Verdict: While the Inner West of Sydney boasts a bustling brewery scene with a craft beer haven seemingly around every corner, the North Shore’s fewer offerings make each one welcome addition. Depot Brewery stands tall (literally, with those impressive fermenters) as a beacon for beer lovers seeking quality brews, at good prices, with a sunny atmosphere – all without the need for a brewery crawl.
Depot Brewery, 1 Frederick St, Artarmon NSW 2064 Trading Hours: Monday – Thursday: 12pm – 10pm, Friday – Saturday: 12pm – 11pm .Sunday: 12pm – 9pm. The Kitchen open from 12pm to 8.30pm each day*
