State of Brews returns for Sydney Beer Week 2026
Sydney Beer Week is bringing back its State of Brews event in 2026, with seven Sydney venues set to showcase beers from breweries across Australia on the festival’s opening night.
Taking place on Friday, 16 October, State of Brews will see participating venues each represent a different state, territory or region, giving breweries from outside NSW an opportunity to put their beers on tap in Sydney and reach new consumers.
Sydney Beer Week Managing Director Peter Anstey said the event was first introduced before the Covid pandemic and will make its return as part of this year’s program.
“We’ve got some fantastic Sydney beer venues each representing different states and territories, and it creates a unique opportunity for interstate breweries to get their beer on tap in Sydney and in front of NSW consumers.”
The State of Brews venue line-up will see Pumphouse Sydney in Darling Harbour represent NSW; Union Hotel Newtown represent Queensland; Keg & Brew in Surry Hills represent Victoria; Quarrymans Hotel in Pyrmont showcase breweries from South Australia and Tasmania; Dove & Olive in Surry Hills represent Western Australia; Hotel Sweeney’s in the Sydney CBD represent the ACT and Northern Territory; and Bitter Phew in Darlinghurst showcase beers from the rest of the world.
Anstey is encouraging breweries from across Australia to contact the venue representing their state or territory to explore opportunities to take part.
“It’s not just about having a keg on tap for Beer Week – hopefully it starts conversations, introduces breweries to new venues and drinkers, leads to reorders and opens doors that might not otherwise have been there.
“Opportunities to showcase interstate beer across Sydney like this don’t come around very often, so we’d love to see breweries really embrace it.”
State of Brews will kick off Sydney Beer Week, which runs from 16–25 October 2026, with further events and ticket details set to be announced in the lead-up to the festival.