Redwood Tasting Room

Brian Labadie began his importing business in 2013 to improve Melbourne’s beer selection and bring back the taste of his home – the west coast of the US. Beer from Anderson Valley, Eel River, Almanac and Lost Coast lead the expanding range of imports.

Opening a tasting room to showcase the beers was the obvious next step. Its cosy, cabin-like design stemmed naturally from the name, and the intention to create a softer, more inclusive space for the beer-loving women of Melbourne, such as Labadie’s wife Anika.

Local and international beers rotate through the three taps, from complex sours through to hoppy IPAs. The bar staff will happily help you narrow down the choices, which include more than 50 bottle options.

Thursday night trivia is a nod to the traditional public house as the meeting point for a local community. Book launches, art showings and other events happen less regularly.

You can also bring in food from surrounding eateries such as Danny’s Burgers and Supermaxi, which means more beers can be sampled. It’s exactly the kind of lounge room you’ve always wanted, only with much better beer.