At Waitchen Sports Bar, we believe that great sports viewing deserves great beer. That's why we've made it our mission to curate one of Sydney's most impressive selections of craft beers. But how do we choose which beers make it onto our taps and into our fridges? In this post, we'll take you behind the scenes of our beer selection process.
Meet Our Beer Curator
My name is Emma Thompson, and I've been Waitchen's dedicated Beer Curator for the past three years. Before joining the team, I worked at several craft breweries across Australia and completed my Certified Cicerone® certification (think of it as a sommelier, but for beer).
My passion for craft beer began during a backpacking trip through Oregon's beer country in the United States. I was amazed by the diversity of flavors that could be created with just four simple ingredients: water, malt, hops, and yeast. When I returned to Australia, I was determined to explore our own burgeoning craft beer scene.
Our Selection Philosophy
At Waitchen, our beer philosophy is built on three key principles:
1. Support Local
We prioritize breweries from Sydney and New South Wales. Supporting local businesses isn't just good for the economy—it ensures our beers are fresher and have traveled shorter distances (better for the environment). Some of our local favorites include:
- Young Henrys (Newtown)
- Grifter Brewing Co. (Marrickville)
- Batch Brewing Company (Marrickville)
- Wayward Brewing Co. (Camperdown)
- One Drop Brewing Co. (Botany)
2. Embrace Diversity
We always ensure our taps and fridges represent a wide range of beer styles. From hop-forward IPAs to smooth stouts, refreshing lagers to tart sours, we want everyone to find something they love. We also make sure to include options for those with dietary requirements, including gluten-reduced beers and lower-alcohol options.
3. Quality Above All
Every beer we serve must meet our strict quality standards. This means no off-flavors, proper carbonation, and serving at the appropriate temperature in the correct glassware. We regularly clean our tap lines and rotate stock to ensure peak freshness.
How We Discover New Beers
Finding great beers to add to our lineup is one of the most enjoyable parts of my job. Here's how we do it:
Brewery Relationships
We've built strong relationships with local breweries, which means we often get early access to new releases and limited batches. Our brewers know our customers' preferences and will reach out when they have something special they think will work for us.
Tasting Sessions
Every month, our staff participates in a structured tasting session where we sample potential new additions to our menu. Everyone's input is valuable—from our experienced bartenders to our kitchen staff—because they all bring different perspectives and palates.
Customer Feedback
We take our customers' opinions seriously. If we receive multiple requests for a particular beer or style, we'll do our best to add it to our rotation. Our "Guest Tap" is often determined by customer voting on our social media channels.
Seasonal Rotations
Our beer menu changes with the seasons to reflect both the weather and the sporting calendar:
Summer (December-February)
During cricket season, we focus on refreshing styles like session ales, lagers, and fruited sours. These pair perfectly with our summer menu items and help beat the heat during those long test matches.
Autumn (March-May)
As footy season kicks off, we start introducing more amber ales, red IPAs, and the first of the season's darker beers. Our autumn beer festival coincides with the start of the AFL and NRL seasons.
Winter (June-August)
The colder months call for heartier beers. Stouts, porters, and barrel-aged specialties dominate our winter lineup. These pair perfectly with our winter comfort food menu and those cold nights watching winter sports.
Spring (September-November)
As finals season approaches for many sports, we offer celebratory options like double IPAs, Belgian styles, and specialty releases. Our Grand Final Week beer pairing menu is always a hit with customers.
Beer and Food Pairing
We work closely with our kitchen team to create perfect pairings between our beers and menu items. Here are some of our favorites:
- Our Buffalo Wings paired with West Coast IPA – The hoppy bitterness cuts through the spice and richness
- Wagyu Beef Burger paired with American Brown Ale – Caramel malt notes complement the umami of the beef
- Fish and Chips paired with Pilsner – Clean, crisp flavors that don't overpower the delicate fish
- Chocolate Brownie paired with Milk Stout – Like chocolate milk for grown-ups
Join Our Beer Club
For those who share our passion for craft beer, we invite you to join the Waitchen Beer Club. Members enjoy:
- Monthly tasting events with brewers
- First access to rare and limited releases
- Discounted growler fills
- Input into our rotating tap selections
- A custom Waitchen tasting glass
Membership is just $10 per month or $100 for the year, with the value quickly paying for itself in exclusive offers and events.
Whether you're a dedicated craft beer enthusiast or just beginning to explore beyond mainstream lagers, our team is always happy to guide you through our selection and help you find your new favorite beer. Next time you're in, don't hesitate to ask for a taster or recommendation—sharing our passion for great beer is what we love most!