I love beer, and I love going to excellent pubs and watering holes to have dinner, a drink, watch live music or to spend time with friends.
The Dandenong Ranges are filled with a multitude of local drinking spots with a variety of beer options on tap. Jugs, Pints, Schooners or Pots, dark beer, pale beer, craft beer, Lager, stouts, locally made or international beer or your more traditional Victorian staples, like Carlton Draft or Melbourne, or the hideous Victoria Bitter. Everything is available depending on where you go, what you like, and the amount of money in your pocket.
Oscar’s Ale House is a warm inviting boutique watering hole located in Bayview Road, Belgrave. They cater for the growing love of micro brewed beer on tap and in the bottle, as well as an unusual selection of cider and wines. Kind, well-heeled and knowledgeable staff welcome you upon arrival and have no problem helping you pick your perfect brew. With up market prices, but a friendly atmosphere and a strong after work crowd, Oscar’s is a favorite for locals and tourists alike.
Located on Mt Dandenong Tourist Road at the corner of the road to Sky High, lies the log cabin now named Kelly’s. Built about 100 years ago by famous original settler of the Olinda area, Mr Jack Dodd, the building is unique and the beer is excellent. With brand new determined owners, Kelly’s Bar and Kitchen offer a variety of Craft beers, and a cheaper Pale Ale house beer. Live music and good food is a staple at Kelly’s, with an excellent open mic night each Thursday.
Situated between Belgrave and Emerald in Clematis on the Belgrave-Gembrook Road is the aptly named Paradise Valley Hotel. With Beautiful views from a well-positioned beer garden, traditional beers on tap, good food and a friendly atmosphere, they have a strong local clientele and are open late for after rehearsal drinks or all day for a cheeky Pint. In 1880 Irishman, Michael O’Connor took up settlement and built his homestead on this spot, which he called “Paradise”. Just over 20 years later this homestead was providing refreshment to locals, and travelers on the little steam train called Puffing Billy, whom by arrangement can still drop patrons’ right at the back door.
This more traditional pub with an old fashioned feel, and steady local drinkers is one of my favorite places to be. The Micawber Tavern up Monbulk Road on the way to Kallista provide live music each week, good pub food and traditional beer with clean lines. This pub attracts a menagerie of people, and also Kookaburras. Beware in the beer garden as these tenacious birds will steal a steak off your plate given half the chance. Despite the carnivorous wildlife, it’s a beautiful place inside and out to share a jug or two of international beer or your local favorite.
For your everyday beer, 
you can’t go past Bell Tavern on Burwood Hwy Belgrave. For good local beer in Jugs, Pints or whatever else you want, Bell’s is always filled with lots of local colour, good pub food, excellent service, pool tables and live music.
If you like your local bar down to earth and filled with lots of unusual resident people, live music, great food and beer you can’t go past Paddy’s Tavern in Ferntree Gully. At the foot of the hills on Forest Road, Paddy’s new owners are working hard to provide a safe haven for anyone and everyone. They get to know you here, and you always feel welcome. The Irish-stew is outstanding and they have the cleanest, cheapest beer anywhere. From well pulled Guinness to local beer and lots of wine, best place to find a new weird friend, drink on an artist’s salary and listen to some outstanding live music.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gql9220Qon8
http://www.micawbertavern.com.au/
https://www.facebook.com/paddystavern/
https://www.facebook.com/KellysBarandKitchen/
https://www.facebook.com/OscarsAlehouse/