The Town that Beer Built

I've been reading up on Melbourne's foodie history and it's an interesting stuff. But don't take my word for it. Here's some tipple-bits, courtesy of Flavours of Melbourne by Charmaine O'Brien:
- John Pascoe Fawkner opened Melbourne's first public house. By all accounts the teetotaller was a cantakarous and disagreeable man. Those who ate at his place often had to endure his pontifications and patrons could tell if they were in or out of favour by the size of the meal he served up.

- The first auctions held in Melbourne became quite the social affair as free cold meats, bread, beer, brandy and 'shampagne' were offered to get the crowds in. Many attended the land sales without the faintest intention of lifting their hand to bid ... not so different from auctions in Melbourne now, really. Except for the free food/drink.

- Within the first 12 months of settlement Melbournians had consumed some 2000 gallons of rum, 150 gallons of brandy and who knows how much beer and gin.

- So it's probably no surprise that Melbourne became the brewing centre of the British colonies with 32 of them operating at the height of the industry in 1874.