The Location

Sydney Brewery has taken over the former White Bay Brewing site on Mansfield Street. It’s tucked away just off Victoria Road in an area of Rozelle which is part-resi, part-industrial. A few Brewery flags at the entrance of the driveway are a giveaway sign to pullover and park up. The transformation is something to see. It’s a Friday night and the place is quietly buzzing.

The Vibe

Walking into Sydney Brewery Rozelle is like stepping into an aircraft hangar that’s been given a touchup. The 150-year-old steel mill bones are still there – soaring ceilings, industrial framework, raw edges, but now there’s greenery, overhead fairy lights, music pumping through the space, big fridges filled canned nectar and an the smell of pizza ovens firing. Large astroturfed sections break up the concrete, giving it a casual beer garden feel despite being mostly indoors. It’s family-friendly, dog-friendly, and clearly designed for locals to drop in without fuss.

A family are competitively having a game of pool, couples are sitting at picnic tables watching the cricket and groups of friends are enjoying a bottle of wine together. An affable corgi is running from table to table to get admiring glaces (but never allowing a pat) whilst and a handsome Aredale Terrier graces the beer floor whilst his owner is tucking into a pizza at high table. He has maximised his pat potential quota for the evening.

The working fermentation tanks tower by the entrance. Silver tanks soar upwards, it gives this venue a sense of place and drama. The beer I am drinking is made right here. It’s brewing at scale. They’re producing everything from their core range to new releases like the Hazy Pale and a couple of ciders including Bat Currant, a dark fruity number with bite. They’ve also brought in local distillers Blackwattle and Red Mill Rum, which shows they’re serious about championing the Rozelle-Balmain peninsula producers.

The Beers

I opt for a paddle which is perfect for the indecisive (or greedy). The Pale Ale is a standout – crisp, clean, perfectly balanced with citrus and floral notes from Cascade, Amarillo, Enigma and Eclipse hops. At 5% it’s sessionable but sophisticated enough to keep me interested. The hop profile hits without being aggressive, and there’s a nice bitterness on the finish that makes you want another sip. The Mosaic IPA is another surprise which lots of rich hops but soft bitterness. The Dark Lager (officially called Darlinghurst Dark Lager) delivers chocolate and coffee notes with a toasty nuttiness. At 4.9%, it’s dangerously easy to drink for something this rich. I normally don’t enjoy ciders following a memorable night on White Diamond I would like to forget however, the agarve ginger cider is deliciously refreshing and not overly sweet. I could have opted for pilsners, IPAs, mid-strength options, or seasonal releases. They’ve added a solid selection of Hunter Valley wines and those local spirits to the menu so there’s something for everyone, which makes sense given the crowd demographic.

The Food

Head Chef Chris Reynolds has crafted a simple and short menu that does exactly what brewery food should do: pair well with beer, bring people together, and not overthink it. It’s a small range of food options but executed well. Their Alexandria site has a much bigger menu, so I am in hope of new additions to come.

The calamari is the absolute hero dish. A huge bowl arrives with tender, soft pieces lightly dusted in Sichuan seasoning. I am happy to just stare at it and marvel that $22 can get me the dish of my dreams. The seasoning has just enough heat and numbing spice to keep it interesting without overwhelming. The value for money is excellent, and it’s the kind of dish I polish off between beers.

Th pizzas are Neapolitan-ish in style with airy sun kissed puffy edges, but with a thick base. Purists might baulk, but they’re plate-sized and generously topped. I personally prefer a thinner base but with the big puffed leopardy scorched edges. The chilli prawn pizza comes loaded with juicy prawns, while the pepperoni delivers exactly what you’d want. They’re straight from the oven, satisfying, and priced right for the setting.

The Caesar Salad has perfect;y cooked halves of hard boiled eggs, the yolks almost set. The hunks of soft, moist chicken has a well seasoned dressing which is refreshing not cloying. Better croutons and some anchovies would elevate it from good to great, but it’s a solid option if you want something lighter. The buffalo chicken wings are smothered with Frank’s Hot Sauce, blue cheese and celery which is a bit overpowering for me making them more soft n’ soggy, than a crispy version of themselves. It would be nice to see a grilled option or deep fried option. Overall, its a great meal and well priced. The staff are friendly and knowledgable and not too cool for school as in a few other brew pubs that take life too seriously! Heck – I would go for the calamari alone. It’s going on my top ten list for Sydney.

The Verdict

What are we Addicted to? It’s a cracking venue, with an outdoor feel, but protected from wind and rain. It’s light and airy with a welcoming industrial cool feel without trying too hard, and genuinely welcoming for families, dogs, and locals just wanting a casual pint. The fact they’re brewing on-site and championing local distillers shows they’re invested in the community, not just taking over a venue. Oh that calamari – and the best value on the menu along with the sheer number of beer options.
What do we need to be more Addicted? The pizzas are good but with time I think Chris and the team will nail a better version. Minor quibbles in what’s otherwise a solid neighborhood brewpub that fills a gap in Rozelle’s dining scene.

Sydney Brewery Rozelle, 26B Mansfield Street, Rozelle
Hours Monday – Tuesday: Closed,Wednesday – Saturday: 12:00 PM – late, Sunday: 12:00 PM – late