James Squire Brew House

I stopped in here for a beer while in Melbourne. I believe I tried the 50 lashes Pale Ale and really like it. The place itself is really nice, I like how they have lots of rooms and spaces if you want to just hang out. The beer was a little on the pricey side but then again it is Melbourne.

This place is pretty basic with plain wooden décor, TVs in all corners (good for sport nights), and a good selection of beer and ratio of guys to girls (working in my favour). However, I wasn’t truly impressed as there wasn’t enough appeal to warrant another visit anytime soon. The verdict: stop in for a quick before/​after-​dinner drink and if you can’t find the game playing anywhere else but don’t expect too much.

Nice brews, good selection of bush tucker meat.

I’ve been coming here since it opened its doors, and will continue to do so if for no other reason then my love of their beer. Sure, you can get James Squire six packs everywhere nowadays, but it’s still worth popping in for some of the limited exclusive tap beers if nothing else.
Disclaimer: You’ll be paying around $ 13 for a pint, but some of these beers are worth it. Just not really the place for a long session, unless you stumble in during happy hour (currently 4−7pm weekdays with $ 8 beers).
In a city that’s sports-​mad I also find it odd we don’t have too many cool places to just sit back with a beer and watch some footy in the CBD, but James Squire ticks that box too, especially now they have made their dining room more of an informal bar with some more TVs.

If we hadn’t hit the happy hour at those prices we probably wouldn’t have stayed for a beer. The beer was ok. The IPA or Hop Thief was better than the amber as far as flavor goes. But we like breweries and we like supporting local establishments so we’re glad we stopped in to check it out.

The pub is wooden. Wood everywhere, floors walls, you name it. Multi stepped floor and a fair few nooks. We sat at the window, you can also sit at tables the pavement. All very ‘city-​pub, anywhere, the world’-ish really.
It was difficult to tell what it would be like when full.
Had the Red Ale which was good, selection is all the Squires plus one of two others. The Stout was not available, and the bar-​tender could not tell me when it would be back on — ie hours, days, weeks.
A Wit also available, and Hop Thief, over and above regular JS range.
The bar staff were pleasant, but not beer nerds.
Overall a very basic venue.

Good food and beer. Chips were crispy and not too pricey. Beer was good and there is a good selection, but it is not clear to me why any beer should be $ 12 a pint. I mean, it was good, but it was not the platonic form of beer. I know, I know, this is what you would expect an American to say, but I can’t get over the fact that the beer is insanely expensive here. How do Australians have enough money to go to the bar? Do they sip one beer through a whole game of footy? Am I missing some important secret? Is beer made with something different than malt, water, and hops here? Anyway, rant over. James Squire was good, but I doubt I will be heading back because of the price. Maybe I will eventually get used to paying the price of a six pack for one beer, but I doubt it.

Food average (pork belly awful). Servers friendly but either overworked or really bad memories bc we had to order a couple of times. In one instance we saw our dessert but it took them 5 min before they would bring it over. I’d go back but only for drinks and pub food (not dinner) bc bar service was good.

I don’t think I can even come to the city anymore without dropping into the Brewhouse for a quick beer.
James Squires is my favourite Aussie beer and this place is just the cherry on top. I love the atmosphere, the deco and the story behind the infamous James Squire. The Sundown Australian Lager is a must try. The new Constable Copper Ale is just amazing, mid-​strength but full flavour. Although, I think the One-​Fifty Lashes Pale Ale is my favourite. That or the Chancer Golden Ale. I’ve had my fair share of those in Tap King bottles. I don’t even know and they’re just the common beers.
Don’t get me started on the exclusive tap beers. Ok, get me started. The Portland #250 Indian Pale Ale was ridiculously good, I’m a little sad that they don’t offer it anymore. That being said, the Hop Thief American Pale Ale has been there for a long time and I don’t think it is going anywhere. Not quite as much hops as you would expect from an American-​Style Pale Ale but refreshing and delicious nevertheless. It has that typical James Squire taste to it. The Craic Irish Stout is a must-​try. A lot smoother than what I was expecting and I’ve come back for more on multiple occasions. The Think Tank American Brown Ale is something different all together. It kind of reminds me of the Irish Stout, Porter and Golden Ale all in one. A mid-​way in colour between the three. Slightly hoppy aroma and flavour. Really nice.
Give this place a go whenever you’re near if you are a lover of beer. I’d be here all the time if I were rich. The place is pricey but well worth it.

Went in last night for a pint. I ordered 2 pints of there American pale ale for $ 24 as I had not tried it before. It had that distinctive JS taste that’s through all there beers. I know it’s not supposed to be an ipa but I found it had a real lack of hop aroma and flavour. I have traveled through the USA from LA all through the middle and over to New York, and never tasted an American pale ale lacking as much as this did. For $ 12 a pint I expect a Big Bang in flavour and abv%. But this $ 12 pint sadly lacked in every way. In my opinion.
The bar tender also informed me every single beer they have on tap there is made on the premises. This surprised me.
I hope you enjoy this JS micro brewery more then I did.

Great, little relaxed bar with every possible James Squire variety available. Try the tasting paddle for a bit of everything (the barmen are happy to select your six samples for you if you just can’t decide). We didn’t eat there but the food looks pretty good.

Hell yeah I was stoked to stumble upon a microbrewery while waiting to see a Melbourne Comedy Festival show. Sure it was $ 11 for a pint but it was damn good. And I found out the venue was connected to the bar so I was able to bring my drink in. Win!

This is one of the few pubs in town that still qualifies as a sports bar. I’m talking sport projected on to a large screen that you can see from across the room. Not all these pokey little LCD screens that you can’t see from more than a few metres away.
So its good for sport and its also good for food and beer. For a drink, avoid the standing James Squire brews and check out what they have on tap that has been brewed on the premises. They’ll also match a beer to your meal if you ask.
The food is standard pub fare with some more expensive options if you want them. The seating in the front is mainly bar stools but you can usually get a table on the sides or up the back.

Slightly pricey for pub fare, but great beers and the best burger I’ve had in a long time.

I love this place, but then, I love their beers so I may be biased. If you’re feeling adventureous or are keen to check out the entire range of ales, try a tasting paddle (or two!).