Damn straight you’re going to find Canberra’s buzzy, double-storey craft brewery in the heart of Braddon. It’s a popular spot for an after-work beverage, or even a cheeky late afternoon meeting so long as everyone is amenable to their straight-shooting Australian pale, called the Barley Griffin (natch). If you need to keep a clear head they’ve got a low alcohol edition called the Pedal pale ale that is extra light in both flavour and booze so you can slam it down before cycling home. But for something with more chutzpah go for the Crankshaft, which is a big hoppy refresher in beautiful orange gold. They also do some weird things with their core brews, like infusing their Big Nut black ale with coriander, cinnamon and orange zest so that it tastes as festive as Christmas in Germany.
There are a lot of pocket-sized dining hot spots in Braddon, but if you’re rolling with more than your second, this place is your best shout for a big table. The warehouse-sized shopfront has tucked the brewery operation up against the back wall leaving room up front for a long bar and plenty of tall tables – there’s even more eating upstairs if the footpath spots are taken. Once you get some momentum going, via the sample bar (a four taster of beers under 8 per cent) or the recumbent bar (same deal only bigger, boozier numbers), you’ll need something to keep your spirit on the level, so load up on tacos, steak or a serve of brisket chilli that comes with tortillas, sour cream, onions, cheese and jalapeños.