Brewed Together
With Mitch Hobbs, Managing Director at Hopsters Brewery, Enmore Road
If there’s one place that captures the spirit of Enmore, it’s Hopsters. Australia’s first co-operative brewery, Hopsters is owned and run by its members, turning craft beer into a true community effort. Sitting proudly on Enmore Road since 2020, the taproom has become a local favourite and a central stop on the Inner West Ale Trail.
Managing Director Mitch Hobbs says the neighbourhood was the perfect fit. “The community focus of Newtown and Enmore has helped turn the taproom into its own little community,” he says.
“We try to be as welcoming to everyone as they have been to us.”
That sense of inclusion is clear, from the local musicians who play in the window to the rotating exhibitions of work from Inner West artists.
The bar doesn’t have a kitchen, but that’s part of the charm. Guests can bring in dinner from nearby favourites like Epic Pizza or the long-standing Faheem’s, who even serve dishes on proper plates for those settling in for the night. “Our venue is like an extension of their restaurants,” Mitch says with a grin.
Hopsters also collaborates with breweries across Australia and beyond, with recent joint brews alongside Seeker Brewing in Wollongong, Slow Lane in Botany and Behemoth Brewing in Auckland. They are also the NSW home of Cicerone training, where beer lovers can expand their knowledge and develop expert tasting skills.
But above all, Hopsters is about people. The co-operative model means anyone can become a member and have a say in what’s brewed.
“Many of our beers often start as homebrew competition winners submitted by members, they’re then scaled up and put on tap for everyone to enjoy.”
Locals know it’s more than just a bar, it’s a place where friendships form over a pint, ideas are shared and community thrives. If you ask the team what their favourite Enmore ritual is, the answer comes easy: late-night Cow & The Moon gelato after a long shift, because in this neighbourhood, every day is ice-cream weather.
Hopsters Co-operative Brewery
198 Enmore Rd, Enmore NSW 2042
@hopstersau
hopsters.coop