Beer DeLuxe: Hawthorn

While there are those who will cling to Carlton Draught with their cold dead hands, the more well-adjusted are openly embracing Hawthorn’s new Beer DeLuxe. The concept should be immediately familiar to regulars of their Federation Square location. Local office workers take advantage of the comfortable high chair seating, beery quotes adorn the walls, and flattering lighting is serviceable enough that you’ll still have a pretty clear idea who you’re going home with.

Don't be overwhelmed by choice. The approachable bar staff are there to help and happy to let you try any of their 12 tap beers before you make your decision. Alternatively just tell them what you usually drink and they’ll make a recommendation for you. It's like a iTunes genius play list – for beer. Not inspired?There are 120 bottled brews, including the humble Melbourne Bitter longneck, the $60 Belgian Bush Prestige and Holgate Temptress Chocolate Porter – a cocoa and vanilla bean infused bottle of smooth.

Being a student-y 'hood, some nights feature live music and DJs but there's enough space ( a second bar and a heated balcony upstairs) for a quiet beer or six – and plenty of snacks to keep you coherent. It's a mish-mash menu of Peking duck rolls, grilled mushrooms with a kick of tangy sumac and tempura calamari with wasabi mayonnaise for good measure. A plate of crisp battered tender squid should keep those hangry reds away for a couple of leisurely rounds at least.

Unlike most drinking experiences, you can walk out of Beer DeLuxe a little smarter and better-read than when you went in. We'll drink to that.