Flat Rock Brew Cafe

Karl Riseborough's long-time home-brewing hobby officially got out of hand in December 2012. That's when he opened Flat Rock Brew Cafe in Naremburn, transforming what was an old fruit and veggie shop into a brewery, bar and eatery.

Named for a nearby landmark, the brewpub spans several levels. Downstairs is the 200-litre brewery where Flat Rock's own-label beers are made. Upstairs, the focus is around the hefty timber bar, backed by a wall of green beer bottles salvaged from Riseborough's home-brewing days.

Flat Rock has six traditional beer taps and two hand pumps. The choices rotate regularly but usually feature a mixture of Flat Rock's own brews (which could be anything from an English bitter to a bière de garde), plus beer from other indie breweries.

The large bottle selection of Australian and international beer numbers around 70. There's also a sizeable cider range and a mostly Australian wine list.

With all that beer flowing, the kitchen serves up solid fare such as steaks, schnitzels and burgers. Seasonal dishes include pies and curries in winter; and salmon and salads in the warmer months. There’s also a kids’ menu, which tells you exactly what sort of a drinking environment this is.