Sydney Brewery Hunter Valley

Sydney Brewery's Hunter arm brews on the grounds of Rydges Resort at Lovedale, using filtered local water across a range that runs from lagers to porters. The beer to start on is the Lovedale Lager, a Munich-style lager built on three German hops, with a light citrus aroma over a toasted-malt base. It pours through the Lovedale Brewbar, a full bar and kitchen rather than a tasting counter, with a beer garden, share plates, cocktails and live music. That makes it more of a sit-down destination than a quick stop between cellar doors.

The brewery tour runs Saturdays at 2pm and costs $30 a head: about fifteen minutes behind the scenes, then a paddle of four beers and ciders back in the bar. Booking is required and goes through the brewery's online system, so lock it in before you drive out. The bar keeps long hours, from 10am on weekdays and 8am at weekends through to late. Being on the resort, it works as a last stop with a room booked on site so nobody has to drive after.