If I were to tell you there’s a small bar where you can take a burger or pizza from next door, plonk yourself down on plump sofa, order a sinister bottle of red and the staff would be cool with that, you would think I’m telling a porky pie.

But there is. It’s approachable, friendly and fosters a sense of community. It’s called The Stanley.

A relatively new small bar situated next to the Flipside burger bar, The Stanley offers a casual yet classy approach to the small bar scene. There is no socialite premise here, of course if you want to mingle so be it, but it’s also nice to just sit on the plush array of sofas and chairs (there is even a chaise longue) and soak up the house party like atmosphere. Rearrange the small chairs to your group’s liking. It’s no biggie.

If you’re coming here, don’t think about cocktails. There is not a Boston Shaker to be seen. You will however find rows of Riedel O (funky stemless wine glasses) and a well considered rack of Reds and Whites; with all but two wines offered by the glass. Generally speaking the focal points of wines fall into WA for whites, and South Australia for Red. There are some international runners and I’m sure this will change over time. There are some usual suspects for an international beer list and cider drinkers are not left out in the cold.

The intention for this small bar to be a place where locals can swan down, have a leisurely glass of whatever for whatever, is not far off the mark. It reveals the Irish flare by the management, for something reminiscent of home, seen by the blinged up Jesus and the patron saint of The Stanley. It’s all very cheeky. The Sunday morning priests would be getting hot around the collar. Oh, and check out the toilet door signs. I LOL’D.

It’s a little bit of cheeky ecclesiastical wholesome fun.

Catha-holic.

The Stanely

Wednesday – Thursday 4pm – 11pm

Friday and Saturday 3pm-12pm

Sunday 2pm-10pm

294 Cambridge St, Wembley

08 93474481

Matilda Bay Brewery has been producing Alpha Pale Ale under a style similar to the American Pale Ale for quite some time now.

It has a distinct hopped aroma, citrus dominant and austere bitterness. Pouring deep golden from the bottle chances are you’ll be taken back by the bitterness that arrives in a slow wave along with a grapefruit aroma. You may as well think you’ve had a bite of a grapefruit because it’s not too dissimilar. I’d err on the side of caution if you don’t like bitter beers and steal a sip from someone who knows this style and enjoys it. Definitely refreshing with a filling wholemeal bread mouth-feel. Good in summer after a long bike ride in the setting sun.

One of the greatest things about showing someone around your city is you get a chance to view things from a fresh(er) perspective.

Fremantle was revived in the old terraces and quirky shops.

The chilly spikes of morning eased to the rounded lull of a winter sun.

Beer and Kangaroo under an olive tree with great company.

But it’s only going to be for a nine more days, I feel too guilty being a tourist in my own town.

At the risk of sounding like a troglodyte or social misfit with a strange phobia for bars and open places for not discovering it earlier, but Little Creatures Freo is one very decent place for a good pint and feed. And to be totally honest with you, this was only my second time there. I admit it, in times when petrol prices were reasonable and politicians truthful, I never felt the need to venture so far south for a beer, pizza and drunken social interaction; good thing I was finally dragged along by happen chance for Nachos and 3 pints before having my mid-afternoon bliss called short by the prospect of serving equally drunk customers myself.

Obviously brewery fresh would be facetiously suggesting otherwise here; you can see, hear and smell the beer being brewed, reminiscing times back in the winery; Nothing quite like the look of a 318 stainless steel vat in full ferment glinting in the morning sun. Food and Beer is tops, as would many staunch advocates of the place attest with their returning patronage. The Bright Ale tasted was live with fruity, floral characters, balanced well with malty roundness and not-so-bitter hopped finish. The Pizza (hot sausage, olive and roasted capsicum) was of fresh ingredients not overly topped or scantly sewn- the base was perfect and not oily-and much better than many so called ‘Italian’ restaurants of Perth. The staff are quintessential Freoians through and through, hippyesque, chatty, veritably high on life (or other substances for that matter) give service in genuinity of good vibes. It gives the place it’s unique spell that once cast over you, you’ll probably return.

Hands up who loves the great ’nectar of gods’? You would be well aware then, of the monopolistic disposition Belgium holds amongst the brew kings of the world. With a long heritage stemming back before 1500’s, beer brewing has more of less be perfected in the adage ‘less is more’ when it comes to flavouring beers and truly crafting the amber liquid. Trappist beers (those made by order of Monks) are common in this part of the world, however the below mentioned beer though having an ecclesiastical connotation has no appellation label denoting ‘Trappist Beer’. Without further a do enjoy this beer.

St Sebastiaan ‘Grand Cru’ Blond Strong Beer “Doppelbock” [Belgium] (Crown seal - Ceramic swingtop vessel) 7.6%

For those not dissuaded by the $20 per bottle price tag, may rest assured you will receive many years of service from a ‘ye olde worlde’ ceramic bottle. Aptly serviceable for any liquid from spirit to vinaigrette its glazed inside and out or quite nice addition to any already overly cluttered beer bottle shelf in your house. But back to the beer.

This is a malty, yeasty beer akin to the fluffy fillingness brought on from 50’s diner vanilla milkshake. The top notes bear resemblance to light banana and slight hints of cloves, on the mouth it’s filling and rich, but also distinctly metallic. Kind of similar to licking a steel knife after preparing a Vegemite and banana sandwich- after you have eaten several rounds. Its warm not suprising due to the hefty 7.6% alcohol percentage but is duly balanced within the rounded flavour profile. Don’t drink this if you are after a refreshing brew, conversely when you want one beer that counts. Quality not quantity is the go here; and at $20 per bottle unless you want or feel like a pregnant yak, just eer on the side of caution and indulge in one.

Small Bars.

Taken from the Western Australian Department Racing, Gaming and Liquor, a small bar “is a type of hotel licence that permits the licensee to sell and supply liquor for consumption on premises only, to no more than 120 patrons at any one time”. Essentially it’s the inverse of large establishments, the focus is turned to more of a ‘cosy’ atmosphere perhaps something that could foster repour with the bar owner. And after all, we all want to know people behind the bar.

This brings me to the classic example of a small bar I stumbled into down a little alleyway in Perth. Alda’s is a small bar/ cafe hidden tucked down Wolfe lane. The semi industrial and modern decor work well to suggest something impromptu. The drinks list features some well selected vodkas, gins and aperitifs. Beers are not centre stage, though there they are reasonably priced and more or less mainstream boutique. Wines are quite well selected though I’d like to see something more experiment and edgy. It’s a  small bar that functions well as a cafe, or a glass-of-wine-sit-down affair. It’s a bit sedate for anything other than a casual chinwag.  Another small bar is due to open very soon which will make bar hopping a better experience.

Alda’s. Wolf Lane (off Murray St) Perth. Look for the iron gates.