Swords Select Wines and Beers

Swords is pretty progressive. These small closet like stores are around at all the
major markets of Melbourne (the good ones) and usually stock a good range of independent or little know beers, ciders and wines. It’s usually a great little stop
over if you’re shopping and are wanting some higher end products. Much better than
a lot of the shelf filler they have at major places. They even highlight local producers such as Holgate, and you’re bound to find something here you haven’t had before. They have boutique craft beers, ciders and wines, and with the better
choice, it’s a a better place to be. They’ve come a long way since the times of the
basic variety refill cleanskin wines with scant choice. Infact wines here are good.

This tiny store is a brew lovers treasure trove in the South Melbourne Market. Mr Sticki and I shop here almost weekly and have been introduced to the pleasures of some great craft ales, ciders, perry and ginger beer. What I love about it is the availability of Victorian made products with a smattering of interesting overseas offerings. And their table wine is pretty reasonable too.
It’s always a pleasure talking to the staff as we learn something new each time. Sometimes I feel as though we are following their brew adventures as they hunt down new stock. The pride in and knowledge of their stock makes me feel that Dave, the guy who runs it, is more of a curator than a shopkeeper.
There are regular tastings and at Christmas they made up some microbrew mixed six packs so we could introduce these lovely drops to others. Awesome. Now, if only their stall was a bit bigger ;)

Don’t hate me, but I’m not really that in to beer. I mean, I understand the appeal and wish I could appreciate it in the same way I do wine and coffee. But, it just doesn’t rock my palate. That said, although Swords is known primarily for its huge variety of interesting beers, they also have a great collection of cider (which I am very agreeable to on a hot day in the sun).
The staff here are friendly and knowledgeable about all things hoppy and boozy — they’ll point you in the direction of something new and interesting and send you on your merry way with a mixed selection of things to try. One of the girls who works here, Lucy, applies a similar language to beer as one would with wine and it’s an absolute treat to have her serve you if you want to geek out. On my most recent visit I went home with three new ciders — an interesting cloudy pear version (Perry), a regular clear apple cider from the Adelaide Hills and a little Victorian number which all went down a treat at an outdoor BBQ.

Sick of the same old drinks, then this is your place. I must admit I come here for the cider, but a friend of mine was impressed with the beers he had bought to test out. They have a few things that any old liquor store will have but it’s the rare and weird stuff that they stock which makes this place a real gem. Prices aren’t cheap but it’s worth it to try never-​before-​seen ciders.