Pirate Life Port Adelaide

Everything about Pirate Life’s Port Adelaide HQ is vast. The enormous warehouse has a 25-metre-long peacock mural emblazoned on the outside and 10,000 square metres of floor space. The custom, energy-efficient brewkit inside is dwarfed by the former Dalgety Wool Store’s 14-metre-high ceilings.

As for the taproom itself, lights and fans hang from steel girders that acknowledge the Port’s industrial history. Twenty-four taps gleam behind the polished concrete bar, which is the same length as a professional cricket pitch.

Pirate Life made its name on bold, high-alcohol beers, but there are plenty of easy-drinking options on tap for punters who want to enjoy an extended session. The enormous brewing capacity means the team can also roll out one-off releases, including past highlights such as the Vanilla Malt Thickshake and a boozy triple IPA, Loose Lips Sink Ships. While beer is undoubtedly the focus, a selection of mostly South Australian wines and spirits is also available.

Expanding the pub-food brief, the kitchen here serves a lengthy menu that features plenty of vegetarian options, and makes good use of its indoor fire pit. Snacks and small options are up front, featuring southern-style fried chicken, olives marinated in beer, and house-pickled octopus. A cheeseburger with Mayura Station beef and jalapeno jam, and beer-battered fish’n’chips make up the larger options.

The entrance is flanked by a merch store that sells takeaway beers, as well as a dedicated barbershop. But the best place to sink a couple after a spur-of-the-moment beard trim is the beer garden on the brewery’s western side.