Author: Sienna Martyn, Beer & Brewer
Original Article published on 19 March 2026
White Bay Brewery is currently inviting locals and beer lovers across the Balmain peninsula to celebrate six years of independent brewing with the White Bay Wander – a month-long, community-focused pub crawl.
The brewery was originally founded in Rozelle and the White Bay Wander is described by the team as a love letter to those roots.
The event is all about celebrating the community that has strengthened the brand and the place it began, with co-founder Tim Condon telling Beer & Brewer it has always been central to White Bay’s success.
“Local pubs and drinkers backed us early and helped build the brand,” he said. “It’s an area with a strong neighbourhood pub culture, and people genuinely support their locals and independent businesses.”
How The White Bay Wander Works:
- Pick up a White Bay Passport at any participating venue (or download online).
- Purchase a White Bay beer and receive a stamp.
- Collect eight stamps across venues (max two per venue).
- Redeem for a free limited-edition t-shirt.
Participating Venues:
- Cat & Fiddle Hotel – Darling St, Balmain
- The Riverview Hotel – Birchgrove Rd, Balmain
- Forest Lodge Hotel – Arundel St, Forest Lodge
- The Welcome Hotel – Evans St, Rozelle
- The Royal Oak – College St, Balmain
- East Village Hotel – Darling St, Balmain
- Bald Rock Hotel – Mansfield St, Rozelle
- The London Hotel – Darling St, Balmain
- The Sackville – Darling Street, Rozelle
- Crowbar – Parramatta Rd, Leichhardt
For Condon, one of the brewery’s greatest achievements in its six years has been its genuine impact on the people that enjoy the beer – which is something worth celebrating.
“One of the biggest achievements has been building a brand that people genuinely connect with and seeing our beers become regular fixtures on taps around Sydney. Along the way we’ve learned that relationships are everything in this industry – with venues, suppliers and drinkers – and that staying adaptable is key.”
Adapting to change
Reflecting on reaching the milestone and the past 12 months of operations, Condon said it has been both a challenging and rewarding time for the brewery.
“The industry has faced rising costs and changing consumer habits, so it’s required a lot of focus and adaptability. At the same time, we’ve doubled down on brewing great beer and strengthening relationships with our venues and community, and the support from drinkers has been fantastic.”
In September 2025 White Bay left its Rozelle brewery at the end of its lease, relocating its main beer production to Hawkers Beer in Reservoir, Melbourne, as a part of the brewery’s Social Drinks Group partnership.
Condon said despite unlocking new opportunities in the Victorian market, the search for a new Sydney home for the brewery continues.
“It’s something we’re actively working on. Having a home for the brand where people can experience the brewery is important to us. Nothing to announce just yet, but we’re taking our time to find the right space.”
Despite the changes of the past year and ongoing industry pressure from rising costs, tax increases and coemption, Condon said he is proud of the way the brewery has sustained growth against headwinds.
“We’ve focused on what we do well – brewing consistent, high-quality beer and maintaining strong relationships with venues and drinkers. We’ve also listened to consumer feedback and introduced new beers to the range, with our Japanese Lager proving especially popular,” he explained.
For the immediate future, Condon said the team’s goal is to continue the sustainable growth of the brand and continue to produce beer that resonates with consumers.
“Our focus is on continuing to grow the brand while staying true to what White Bay stands for – great lagers. We’ll also keep exploring new beers and collaborations and continue to foster strong venue partnerships, and meaningful connections with our community.”