Sail and Anchor Pub Brewery

I was told that Fremantle was a must-see while in Perth. So before I took the train to Fremantle, I did my beer research and find that Sail And Anchor is an icon. And it looks like one also, an impressive early 19th Century building converted into a 2 story pub. It is right across from the tourist trap Fremantle Market which has hordes of tourists and nothing to buy. So I went to Sail and Anchor for a beer and lunch.

The Vibe is good because the vibe is good in Australia and Fremantle is the port of West Australia and Perth, a lovely city. While S&A has a Good Time Vibe, its quality on tap is more limited because almost all of the 16 beers are from Australia and some variety might be nice. Having drank a bottle of S&A's Pale Ale the night before, I instead had a pint of Great Norther's Super Crisp Lager. Service was good enough, although the bartended was a little miffed that he had to take my food order because I couldn't figure out the scan and order routine. The food I ordered was average, dry and no condiments for the fries.

Glad I went to this icon, but I doubt I will return.

 

Went to the Sail & Anchor during a winter trip to WA. Loved the place. It was warm and welcoming and a great crowd. Decor and menus for beer were well presented and you are spoilt for choice of what beer to try next. Beer was better on tap, as usual, compared to bottled version I have ride since.

 

 

Went on a Tuesday night in March.

Pub is all high ceilings, multi room, two floors, very well presented for Colonial style. However, quite empty on a fine warm night. Upstairs bars all shut, a few folks drinking in verandah, getting beers from downstairs.

Beers go on for ever... 43 taps noted, but that would be some duplicates on first floor among that - let's say two dozen. Beer menus given out freely. Locals and some overseas all available. I had the Feral Runt, nice for a re-visit, was fresh. Well priced for what they are.

Service was pleasant but from a new hire. So the young lady was most helpful, but all info on beers second hand.

Did not try food.

Would like to have gone back on the weekend, (Brenden!!) but time did not permit.

Well established pub in the centre of Fremantle. I hadn't been for years but stopped in for a pint after lunch a couple of months back and was so impressed by the selection of world class beers on tap Ive dropped in every time Ive been in Freo since. 43 taps and its great to see that they are not wasted on any macros. Mikkeller, Nogne, Brewdog among the internationals on tap. Feral, Nail and even Monk (microbrewery/pub across the road from Sail and Anchor) from WA. They have their own beer on tap too, the IPA is pretty good. Great selection and they keep it rotating so theyll be something new for you each visit. Well worth a tasting paddle. Never tried the food but looks like pretty typical pub fare. Atmosphere is OK. I have been in past when they had an acoustic trio playing. For me, the quality and rarity of the beer on offer is the top criteria for rating a pub, and these guys get a big tick there.

I've revised my review because this place now has a new brewer and more of an emphasis on the house beers. Had the Vienna Red Lager today which was fantastic!!

Will be back to go through the rest of their beers. arlic Prawn Pizza was really good & the atmosphere is second to none - you just don't get pubs like this up in Perth. Nice old pictures dotted around the wall which depict old Fremantle - which hasn't been disturbed all that much, unlike Perth which was architecturaly butchered in the 70s.

Nice views of the brewery as well! Apparently tours are available.

A really nice bar...Cool vibes, nice people from what I gathered, and decent prices. Good location, too, and the food looked pretty good as well.
Unfortunately the beer they brew there ain't that great. I think my first batch of homebrew probably came out better than what I tasted on their sampler platter. For $10 you get 4 8-ounce glasses of their brews. I didn't try the Pilsner, but the wheat tasted young, the blueberry beer wasn't very good, and the IPA tasted, as my wife put it, "like dirty socks." The stout wasn't too bad, though.

Keep trying, guys.