Fremantle Travel Forum

Greetings all. Four of us (South Africans) will be in Freo at the end of this month. I was last there about 12 years ago with some good buddies and we had a rip-roaring time in a pub that sold a beer called Red Back (named after your world-famous spider).

A few years ago, one of my travelling companions (my best friend, actually) was killed in an air crash, so it would be a sort of pilgrimage for me to find that pub again and lift a glass in his memory. The pub might have been called the Red Back (although I doubt it), or even the Dogbolter (or was that one of the brews we downed . . . I was tired and confused at the time :-). Or maybe it was the Anchor.

Question is: does it still exist and where in Fremantle is it? I recall it had an amazing shop selling all sorts of beers and pub memorabilia. Any help would be much appreciated. Cheers

Hi

Yes Red Back is a wheat beer. Some people drink it with a slice of lemon in it (like Corona). There is also the Dogbolter which is a higher alcohol ale. The pub you may be referring to may be the Sail And Anchor - http://www.sailandanchor.com.au. This is in South Terrace, Fremantle. Some other good "watering holes" in Freo are Little Creatures Micro Brewery - http://www.littlecreatures.com.au and Clancy's Fish Pub - http://www.clancysfishpub.com.au. I believe the Pale Ale from Little Creatures has won a stack of awards. It was highly rated in England - best ale or something. It is also a good venue to have a meal. At Clancys I recommend the seafood platter - a bargain for A$25 - or the fish chowder which others have given a rap for. They also have beers on tap from micro breweries eg. Bootleg Brewery.

Hope you have a great time. I hope your visit revives memories of your mate, so tragically lost.

It is a Western Australian beer that is still available in numerous places throughout Fremantle and Australia, the one below seems the best fit from your description (name and 30+ different beers available) but if not you will have a good time going from one pub to another searching.

SAIL AND ANCHOR HOTEL
64 SOUTH TERRACE
FREMANTLE WA 6160

http://www.sailandanchor.com.au/courtyard/beers/data.aspx?ID=24

I'd say the Sail and Anchor is the place you're looking for - next to the entrance to the markets.

oh yes, and btw
a few doors down from the sail and anchor, is that shop selling beer memorabilia. its called the "edna beverage co" on 56 south terrace, freo.
phone number for them is 9430 4577.
4 south african lads in fremantle... i better stay indoors that weekend! ;-)

Whew! I read recently that, in an international poll, Australias were voted the world's most tourist-friendly people. These replies (as well as ones I got when I posted a query in the Queensland forum) show just how accurate that poll was. Thanks all for the detailed and really useful responses. Now I'm certain the pub was the Sail & Anchor because I clearly recall stagge, er, walking out of the pub and straight into a large market (as Mr L mentions). And to Willy Wonka - don't stay indoors, mate - pop in and we'll shout you a pint or two! You can't miss us - we're the ones with the funny accents...

by golly a free pint... i might just have to search for the loud south africans! will you be talking about braai's and biltong? lol ;-)

Hey Dave. Perhaps you could let us know when you'll be here. Maybe we could arrange a vt meeting for you. Cheers, Ann :o)

Dear Willy. No. We'll be talking about how we kicked your bum at rugby during the recent Tri-Nations.

Sorry: couldn't resist.

As for Georgie Gregan - he's my man. I can't understand the sudden and recent hullabaloo about his game. He's greatly respected in SA - as, indeed, are all Australian rugby players. Then again, I don't suppose you know what I'm talking about. Last I heard, Western Australia was the home of that other great footie game - Aussie Rules.

Hello Ann. Sorry, but I'm new to this. What's a vt meeting?? For the record, we'll be in Freo from Sunday, September 25, to Oct 1. We were hoping to stay at the Esplanade, but it's booked up on key dates, so it looks like we'll be at the Quest Harbour Village Apartments, which, I understand, is right on the waterfront, which is cool. Are all Australians this friendly, or are you all just throwbacks to a happier time????

ahh dave, you are correct. the rugby is not big in WA at all... but, i do know of george gregan and co. he seems to be playing ok to me! and thats ok if you chat about you guys whipping our butts in rugby, im sure we'll beat you at something else down the track...

i prefer the all blacks and daniel carter actually... but not so much for his playing abilities, if you get my drift.. droooool ;-)

Hey Dave of course we're all friendly :o) You are going to have a wonderful time here!! I'll email you about lining up a vt meeting :o)

Hey Dave. Hubby & I stayed at the Espanade last year at my work ball. What a shame it's all booked out because it is a wonderful place to stay. Oh well, never mind I'm sure you'll find somewhere else just as good. Cheers, Ann :o)