Felons Manly Shouts the Community Its First Beer

Fresh lager, straight from the tank, a few metres from where it was brewed. On Friday 6 November, Felons Brewing Co. pours the first beer from its newly completed brewery on Manly Wharf, and the first round is on them.

The inaugural batch is Felons’ award-winning Crisp Lager. To mark the occasion, Felons is shouting the community a beer and throwing a family-friendly celebration from 3pm to 7pm.

Local Legends on Tap

At 3pm, a line-up of familiar faces will pour the first beers brewed on site: Manly MP James Griffin, Northern Beaches mayor Sue Heins, councillor and Lifeline Northern Beaches CEO Sarah Grattan, seven-time world surfing champion and Manly local Layne Beachley AO, and firefighter and big-wave surfer Tom Myers.

Brewed Right Here

Behind the bar sits a custom steam-powered 18.5-hectolitre brewhouse, with 3,600-litre serving tanks sending beer, cider and seltzer straight to the tap. A viewing corridor lets you watch the brewers at work, and daily brewery tours and tastings kick off this summer. Brewery director Tom Champion and lead brewer Gareth Cooper are running the show.

Rice and Shine

The brewery also has a cereal cooker, installed to brew Felons Japanese Rice Lager, made for Sydney Harbour. Every Rice Lager poured supports Felons’ partnership with Seabin, which has pulled more than 25,000 pieces of plastic from the harbour to date. You’ll also find it onboard Manly Fast Ferry.

Two Years on the Wharf

Felons opened Felons Manly at Manly Wharf in October 2024, followed by Felons Barrel Room in December 2025. In two years, it has raised more than $250,000 for local groups including Lifeline Northern Beaches, Manly Life Saving Club, Surfrider, LocalKind and local schools.

Now the beer is brewed where it’s poured. Come thirsty.

The First Pour
What: First pour at Felons Manly Brewery, with a community celebration
Where: Felons Manly, Manly Wharf, East Esplanade, Manly
When: Friday 6 November, first pour at 3pm, celebration 3pm to 7pm
Cost: Felons is shouting the first beer
More info: Event details

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