Four Points by Sheraton finds inspiration in Melbourne’s dynamic craft beer scene

Beginning 1st October of this year, the recently opened Four Points by Sheraton Melbourne Docklands will be taking part in an ongoing global program designed to bring the hotel brands 225+ properties closer to the cultural scenes in their respective cities. And by cultural scenes we mean the tasty dynamic local craft beer scenes of the world, sifting through local breweries looking for the “best brew” to showcase on-site and on-tap to international and local guests. And considering the incredible reach the hotel brand has, with presence in almost 40 countries and territories, that’s an invaluable platform for creative local brewers to have.

Conceived as the “Best Brews” initiative, the concept kicked off back in August at one of the Four Points by Sheraton properties in New York, timed with International Beer Day to bring a taste of the surrounding city to guests. Rolling on from that, six cities around the world will be taking part and hosting their own Brew Off style events, resulting in one champion local craft beer being made available on tap at the hotel’s Best Brew bar. It’s a simple, straight-forward push towards welcoming local artisans into a major hotel chain, something you don’t often see outside of finger-on-the-pulse boutique hotels.

Four Points by Sheraton Melbourne Docklands served as the Asia-Pacific site for the Best Brews concept, which is perhaps the most appropriate spot for it seeing as the city now has some of the most dynamic inner-city breweries in Australia and has truly become one of the most exciting places for a world-class beer scene.

“Melbourne is a festival city, and craft beer consumption has gone hand-in-hand with this celebratory vibe”, explained Mitchell Goff, the hotel’s Cicerone-certified associate when asked about the city’s growing scene. “Melbourne is also a foodie city, and we’re now seeing a desire for matching beer with food and restaurants putting as much thought into their beer menu as they traditionally would their wine menu. It’s an exciting time for craft beer in Melbourne”.

You’d think with all that quality craft beer flowing around Melbourne it’d be a hard decision deciding on which brewery is eventually tapped come October. Judged in terms of both proximity, popularity and performance in a little beer tasting session with 100 hotel guests, media and locals, the two Melbourne locals up for the honour were Mountain Goat Brewery and Two Bird Brewing. Both have their fair share of awards and attract regular acclaim from all over Australia, but ultimately the beer decided on was Mountain Goat’s Pale Ale, a exceptionally balanced ale with stonefruit, pine and citrus characters.

Guests will be able to sip on Mountain Goat Pale Ale on tap at the Best Brews bar, which is part of the modest but stylish lobby area at Four Points by Sheraton. It will be tapped for three months from 1st October, helping bring a taste of the scene for guests who might want to stick around the hotel on their Melbourne trip. It’s also a good way to sample the local craft beer scene before heading out and exploring it in depth (and if you do make sure Moondog, Two Birds, Mountain Goat, and Stomping Ground are all on your radar).

“Exploring Melbourne’s craft beer scene as part of Best Brews has been fascinating”, offered Goff. “I’ve learned the scene in Melbourne has grown exponentially, and there’s no sign of that stopping. I think some of the key trends we’re seeing are an influx of inner city breweries – so beer lovers no longer need to travel out to rural areas – and even greater experimentation with flavours. For example, there’s one Melbourne brewery infusing beer with durian fruit [Moondog]”.

For those quick on the draw, you may also be lucky enough to nab up one one the hotel’s Bed & Beer packages, which includes a complimentary Four Tastes beer sampler and daily breakfast with your accommodation. Be quick though, it’s only valid from now until 30th September, a day before the Mountain Goat Pale Ale appears at the bar.

If you do book a stay, make sure you opt-in for the Bed & Beer package to get a complimentary Four Tastings beer sampler and daily breakfast. Valid from now until September 30, 2017 at all participating Four Points by Sheraton hotels across Asia Pacific.

For more information on Four Points by Sheraton Melbourne Docklands head to the official website HERE.

Four Points by Sheraton Melbourne Docklands

Address: 443 Docklands Drive, Docklands, Melbourne VIC
Contact: (03) 8578 0000

Feature image supplied.

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