4 Pines Brewing Company

So lazy you've ruled out a pub session and a movie because of the distance between the two destinations? 4 Pines is your venue. The craft beer-focussed drinkery above Manly Cinemas is also your venue if you just want decent suds, good pub grub, and to chill out free from either aggression or stuffiness. Décor is uncluttered and minimal: banquettes next to windows and tall tables and accompanying tall stools in the middle of the room. A microbrewery vat behind glass and notes on fermentation decorate the back of the room. Each night at 4 Pines there's a different $20-$25 meal deal: a pint plus a parma, curry, or rack ribs. The main menu fare is honest, chunky, and reasonably priced ($18-29), with dishes like beef pie, pork belly and fish of the day to soak up the brew. Which brings us to 4 Pines' raison d'etre: the beer. The five house specialties (Kolsch, Hefeweizen, Extra Special Bitter and Stout) come by pint ($9.50) and regular (365 mL, $6.50) sizes, with their ABV, IBU score, nose and palate all described on a blackboard atop of and running the length of the bar.