Our Story: Where Craft Meets Character
The Legend of Willie the Boatman
Willie the Boatman is a laid-back pub and craft brewery, nestled in Australia’s Craft Beer capital; the Inner West. One of the first craft breweries to open in Sydney, Willie the Boatman has built an award-winning reputation for delivering high quality, flavourful and unique brews which are available on tap or in cans.
A strong commitment to the community is ingrained through all of their actions, like naming their beers after friends, like ‘The Albo’ Pale Ale, dedicated to their local federal member of parliament (and more recently, Australia’s PM), Anthony Albanese. Regularly hosting events and festivals to bring people together and support local nonprofits and businesses. Even the brewery’s name is a playful celebration of the Inner West’s rich historical heritage. A nod to the original ‘Willie’ aka William Kerr, a Scottish convict assigned to row people, supplies, and beer across the nearby Cooks River in the early 1800s.
A New Port for Willie’s Crew
The St Peters Dock
In 2015, Willie’s moved from their original Marrickville brewpub to Precinct 75 in St Peters. Now housed in a restored warehouse, once an old Taubman’s paint factory, the space preserves original factory markings, faded signage, high ceilings, exposed brick, corrugated iron, and large metal windows that flood the area with natural light, creating a nostalgic, old-world vibe.
Inside, you’ll find three distinct areas: The Den, Main Bar, and Cage. The main bar’s retro design, featuring hardwood fixtures, Bavarian beer tables, and quirky decor, invites you to settle in with a pint and a good yarn. On the lower level, tucked past the fermenting tanks, lies The Den—a spacious yet cozy retreat blending lush greenery, nautical relics, and industrial charm for a welcoming boatyard theme.
Join Us for a Pint and a Tale or Two
The brewpub is open Wednesday through Sunday each week, where you’ll find beer experts pulling taps, happy to share their knowledge and insight of the fermentation process or flavour profiles of their golden nectar. Which are available by the can, midi, schooner, pint and tasting paddle. The eccentric range of flavours, is composed of core brews that are available all year long, such as Rogue Draft, Little Legends Crazy Ivan IPA and Nectar Neipa.
A venue that is as dedicated to their customers as they are to producing the best brews in town. Willie the Boatman ensures that no matter what time of day you stop by, or whether you’re with family, friends, or even your dog, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better spot than this inner west gem.
Beer with Characters
