The Yarra River end of Richmond has long been a heartland for craft beer – Mountain Goat Brewery, The Royston Hotel and Burnley Brewing are all there. Now, Fox Friday Craft Brewery has joined the party, opening a schmick new taproom three blocks away from The Royston.

Walk into Fox Friday’s 200-plus capacity venue and you’re reminded of how Melbourne’s taprooms have levelled up in recent years. Bodriggy Brewing Co, Stomping Ground, Deeds Brewing and Molly Rose have set a new standard for brewery bars. Fox Friday feels right at home in that company.

But Fox Friday was born in Hobart, and the new Melbourne taproom is the start of a national play to broaden the brewery’s customer base (expect a new taproom in Perth in the coming months).

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In 2019, Benn and Sarah Hooper bought Fox Friday, based in the Hobart suburb of Moonah, from its original founders, Naomi and Wayne Clarkson. Since then, the brewery’s rise has been rapid, with its hazy, hop-driven IPAs and bold, colourful cans winning over beer lovers across the country.

“We’ve developed a strong following among diehard craft beer fans, so it made perfect sense to open our next space in Melbourne,” marketing manager Joel Sampson tells Broadsheet.

The Richmond taproom has all the hallmarks of the brewery’s home venue in central Hobart, but the space here is more theatrical. Designed by St Kilda-based interior design firm Studio Y, the new retractable roof lets in plenty of natural light, while the fittings and plush furnishings heighten the cosiness of the booths and smaller tables. Come winter, the stylish central fireplace will be the spot to mingle.

Behind the main bar, you can see right through to the 15-hectolitre brewhouse, with 20 taps pouring the core range and limited releases the brewery is famed for.

“There’ll be a constant change-up of beers with new releases every month. Every time you come in there’ll be something different and exciting happening,” says Sampson.

Venue manager Sophie Kingswell, formerly of Marquis of Lorne and Carwyn Cellars, has gone for an exclusively Australian wine list. Selections of American bourbon and rye whiskey are also on pour thanks to Fox Friday’s merger with Carwyn Cellars in September 2023.

Next to the bar, the open kitchen, spearheaded by group chef Andrew Oliveira, will focus on Southern American dishes. Think Cajun shrimp skewers and boudin balls with chipotle mayo, share plates with smoked beef cheek and chicken, and Texan-inspired burgers and salads.

Look out for a rolling series of events throughout the year, many of which will take place in an elegant upstairs space.

Fox Friday Craft Brewery
148/150 Murphy Street, Richmond
0409 950 178

Hours:
Sun to Thurs 12pm–11pm
Fri & Sat 12pm–midnight

www.foxfriday.com.au