The latest beer-centric opening to hit Melbourne is none other than Brewdog's mammoth takeover of Coburg's Pentridge Prison. For the uninitiated BrewDog are the Scottish-based ale experts who came together in 2007 and have been riding the wave of the craft beer revolution ever since.
Their all-new taproom and brewpub set within the bluestone walls of Melbourne's historic gaol is a 500-person beer oasis, one of the team's most ambitious ventures yet. Transforming the entire E Division Building, the all-new Brewdog is split between two levels and features an expansive outdoor beer garden, an indoor dining room, a lounge, and even an event space.
On the drinks front, the BrewDog team has quite literally poured over their tap list and will be slinging over 20 different beers to patrons. They’ve got a dizzying amount of froths on offer including lagers, stouts, sours, IPAs, XPA’s and alcohol-free options. You’ll also want to keep your eye out for their rotating collaborations with local guest breweries for their “Brewdog and Friends” range.
Keeping things balanced on the menu front is a promising a mix of classic pub fare alongside a selection of plant-based choices. The beer-adjacent options include sticky wings, over ten signature burgers and six parma variations—plenty to explore over a few pints.
Inside the dining room, the interior gives a nod to the location's former life with its bluestone walls, high ceilings and cement floors. But the space's original harshness has definitely warmed after being fitted out with red couches, pendant lighting, floor rugs and eclectic art.
Meanwhile, the bygone prison yard is now a slick beer garden. The timber decking, string lighting, umbrellas and group seating make Brewdog the ideal setup for knock-off drinks for the impending silly season. There are outdoor booths with blue leather couches and timber table tops separated by black iron-inspired jail cell bars. But the beer garden takes things to the next level with its shipping container bar which boasts a twenty-six-tap setup.
No doubt Pentridge Prison is about to become the go-to haunt for the beer curious with Brewdog’s debut Melbourne taproom. The venue can host up to 500 people at a time but it's worth booking if you want to secure a table for a summer session.
Check out Melbourne's best beer gardens over here.
Image credit: Anna Kucera (supplied)