Keg & Brew

Sydney has a new home of deep-fried everything. Well actually it’s an old home – the former KB Hotel – done up a bit fancy-like, and rebadged as the (slightly-new) Keg & Brew. Amidst the brown leather banquettes, cowhide bar panels and assorted taxidermy, you’ll find an odd mix of (mostly male) blue-collar workers and bearded hipster types. They’re well-served by busy bar staff manning thirty-three beer taps, with only six pumping out mainstream beers. Their focus on locally brewed craft beers is epitomised in the Angstrom Voltaic Pale Ale ($8.50); brewed – if you didn’t guess from the name – by three physicists from Sydney University. Bourbon’s their other love, and they’re pouring over thirty. If you’re not familiar with American whiskies, the easy-drinking Old Fashioned ($15) is a great place to begin. After slaking your thirst, get stuck into crunchy golden bar bites, starting with compelling Fried Monterey Jack Cheese Sticks ($10). You can up your beer and deep-fried quotient with the Young Henrys Lager Battered Flathead ($15). They’ll even batter and fry your Oysters ($30/12), though I took mine natural and passionfruit. Vegan Cauliflower Steaks ($14) will help your arteries not harden, with the little, white florets taking on good char from the grill. I suspect the Deep Fried Twinkie ($10) is a bridge too far…

Keg & Brew
26 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills
Ph: (02) 9212 1740 kegandbrew.com.au
American, Pub Bistro $$