This post first appeared on former NRMA travel site Live4 on April 3, 2015. Image by Mick Ross.

Australia’s love affair with craft beers is growing and with it, the number of microbreweries opening. New South Wales is home to some of the country’s best, with a few even doubling as places to grab a beer (freshly brewed on-site) or to pick up some of your favourites to take home. Here are three stand-out Sydney microbreweries well worth a visit.

Batch Brewing Co

44 Sydenham Road, Marrickville 

Located in the inner west suburb of Marrickville, Batch operates out of what was formerly a panelbeater’s workshop. It’s a casual, minimalist space, with the brewery operations out back and the bar up front. The beers on offer are chalked up on a blackboard at the bar, surrounded by a smattering of tables, stools and crates to lounge on while you have a drink.

On most nights, there’s a food truck parked out front serving up some nosh to go with a rotating roster of tasty beers on tap. Beers are served in jars (there are tasting trays if you want to try them all), and you can take home your favourite in the form of a bomber (640ml) or a growler (1.89l). Batch also offers brewery tours and hosts occasional events, including tasting nights and launches.

4 Pines Brewing Company

29/43-45 East Esplanade, Manly

In the way of microbreweries, you’ll be hard-pressed to match 4 Pines’ enviable location. Overlooking the water on Manly’s East Esplanade, punters – at least those lucky enough to nab a table on the balcony – can take in the view and people watch while sipping a beer or cider. This little venue serves up hearty pub-style fare alongside its beers (which include a regular range and a selection of limited-edition drops) and hosts live music three times a week.

Established in 2008, 4 Pines in Manly is the first and original microbrewery site, but as its popularity grew, so did the need for bigger premises. So in 2012, 4 Pines expanded its operations to include a warehouse in the nearby suburb of Brookvale, where it will be opening a second bar in the coming months.

Young Henrys

76 Wilford Street, Newtown

Tucked away a few streets back from Newtown’s busy Enmore Road is the much-loved craft brewery Young Henrys. Always buzzing and popular with people of all sorts and ages, the tasting bar is open seven days a week and serves up Young Henrys core range of beers, alongside special one-off and collaboration brews. You can also grab a longneck or growler of beer to take home. The brewery offers no food during the week, but food trucks are parked on-site on weekends.

Young Henrys often hosts events, including exhibitions, gigs, festivals and launches. The brewery has also recently moved into producing small batches of spirits, including gin, and soon, whiskey, and has plans to open breweries in Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland in the near future.