Hopsters is no ordinary taproom and brewery. Based in Enmore, in Sydney’s inner-west, it’s Australia’s first brewing co-op, founded, funded and democratically run by its 850-plus members.
Fuelled by the ethos, “Drink like you own the place”, you’ll find their passionate member-volunteers brewing the beers, serving them behind the bar, hosting music and trivia nights, and running brewer nights on the regular.
“We wanted to foster a community around the love of beer and involve people in the process of making it for everyone to enjoy,” is how Mitch Hobbs, Hopsters’ head of operations and bar baron, puts it. “So, rather than the producer making beer and customers drinking it, it’s a real grass-roots collective running the venue, getting their brews on, and making decisions for the business together.”
If this all sounds a bit like a Stonecutters-style secret society, fret not – there’s no hidden handshake at the door and everyone is welcome, member or not.
“We have our taproom and clubhouse where members meet each other but a lot of locals have embraced us as well, so it’s a really friendly environment here and a great mix of people,” he adds.
Originally founded in 2016, the Hopsters massive has seen its membership base grow and grow. Supporters pay $250 for life membership (the price hasn’t changed in eight years) for shares in the co-op, an AGM vote, bar and event discounts, exclusive merch and plenty more.
“It was our way to enter into the industry with zero dollars,” Mitch says. “Without massive capital investment, we had to use people power.”
By 2020, they’d raised enough members and cash to build their new home: a high-street bar within walking distance of both Young Henrys and The Grifter Brewing Co, with enough room to build a small brewery out back down the track.
“It really was all hands on deck with everyone pitching in to help,” Mitch recalls fondly. “We had 20 people in here with sledgehammers demolishing the old fruit shop. We had members in the beer industry helping out, while others who were lawyers assisted with council development applications.”
While the taproom is in full swing at time of writing, Hopsters’ proposed 500-litre brewery is still in the pipeline, set to arrive in late 2024 (after being delayed due to Covid and lockdowns). For now, they contract brew their core range of a pale ale, lager and Griffo XPA at their good friends Frenchies, while also co-producing the Cool Kids collaborative IPA series together.
You’ll find all of those beers pouring at the 13-tap bar alongside Mitch’s expertly-curated guest beers, augmented by some fine imported European drops in the fridge. They also host beer masterclasses, Cicerone training and Beer Club nights on which brewers take punters through their new brews (drawcards have included One Drop, Hawkers, Bracket, to name just a few).
“I really try to give the smaller breweries and gypsy brewers some love, as we’re gypsy brewers ourselves and it's so hard to get a tap in Sydney,” Mitch says. “With the beer talks, we want to offer something more than what you get at a beer festival. You want people to feel part of this industry.”
Hopsters also host a huge calendar of non-beer-focused events including live music, comedy, trivia, and their amazing monthly Auslan nights, which create a safe space for the deaf community with signing volunteers working the bar. The venue doesn’t serve food but sweet deals with local pizza and curry joints will sate your palate.
“We just want to create a great space for everything beer and beyond with amazing events that appeal to everyone,” Mitch says with a smile. “Hopefully we can keep building on what we’ve started and get even more people in the door.”
Jason Treuen
