One great source for equally great beer on this island that cannot be questioned is Pie Whole (24A Honduras in Frenchtown; piewholepizza.com). This new pizza restaurant focuses heavily on Belgian styles from lambics to Trappists. Keeping afloat with the pirate theme, look for Piraat Belgian IPA and Bière du Boucanier red ale from BrouwerijVan Steenberge.
One thing to keep in mind during your visit. The USVI’s sole airport, Cyril E. King (STT), is located on St. Thomas’ west end near the enticingly named Brewers Bay. But most of the high-end hotels are located on the far east end of the island. Reactions from locals and tourists are mixed.
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
A word about beer global beer consumption: Australia ranks sixth in per capita consumption. whereas the U.S. appears two spots below. And we’re not the only ones experiencing a revolution in craft brewing. To associate Australia with Foster’s is to do likewise stateside with Bud. Across the sunburned country, close to 150 microbreweries and brewpubs have sprung to life, mostly in the last decade. Sydney, as part of its effort to boost foodie tourism by stepping up its culinary game, lays claim to almost a dozen of them.
It’s a far cry better to visit for the beer than for the reason the original European settlers came. Originally a penal colony for British convicts in the 18th century—think Alcatraz but a whole lot bigger and with cuter accents—the colonized area is known today as Sydney’s suburb The Rocks. Expect to spend much of your time here central to landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, all made easily accessible by the Circular Quay transportation hub.
To guide us through The Rocks and beyond, Michael Vanderlaan, who covers the lowdown Down Under at the Aussie Beer Blog, advises starting at the Lord Nelson Hotel (corner of Kent and Argyle streets; LordNelsonBrewery.com). Entering into the most famous brewpub housed in a heritage-listed sandstone building, Vanderlaan says, “visitors step back to the time of tall ships and rum rebellions.” There are always six house beers served alongside classic English pub grub. “The Lord Nelson’s signature beer, Old Admiral, is a strong dark ale not for the faint-hearted, to be slowly sipped by the open fire.
