16 Australian Breweries To Raise A Glass At

Wherever you find yourself in Australia, there’s a top-notch brewery waiting just around the corner – or thereabouts.

The quality of Australian breweries remains remarkably consistent, with the only point of contention being how each state or territory names the size of their beers.

Pints, schooners, pots – at the end of the day, a trivial yet enjoyable state-versus-state battle over beer sizes doesn’t overshadow the service and atmosphere of Australia’s famed breweries.

Since there’s an endless supply of upscale, boutique or bare-bone establishments to choose from, here’s a round-up of 15 breweries across the country, beloved by locals and all but guaranteed to serve up a delicious on-tap brew with a menu to match.

1. Txoko Brewing, WA

Operating almost strictly during the day (save for a late-ish close on Friday nights), Txoko Brewing has all the makings for a stellar long lunch.

a garden-like setting with long wooden tables at Txoko Brewing — Snag a spot at one of the wooden tables at Txoko Brewing.

Bring a congregation of loved ones and plant yourselves around long wooden tables in anticipation of sharing platters, house wines and a revolving selection of specialty brews.

As the menu is constantly changing, it’s a matter of checking Txoko Brewing’s current releases. Previous beer tastings have included James The Dank Peach IPA, Divergence Honey Hybrid Sour and Hibiscus Berliner Weisse – the flavour profiles are just as wild as the names given to them.

a food platter with a glass of beer at Txoko Brewing — Grazing platters match well with specialty brews at Txoko Brewing.

Address: 247 Haddrill Road, Baskerville, WA
Opening hours: Friday 4pm to 9pm, Saturday 11.30am to 4.30pm, Sunday 11.30am to 4pm.

2. FICK Brewing, Qld

At first glance, FICK Brewing looks like an unassuming two-storey house on a regular Northgate street. Splashed with a nice coat of dark paint, you might simply walk past it and nod approvingly if it wasn’t for the rip-roaring sound of merriment escaping the would-be garage.

Yes, inside this deceptively commercial property is a brewery that many would consider home. Extending through the property lies a fully equipped bar with a brewery further in the ‘backyard’, and it’s the closest thing you’ll get to a fully licensed house party.

If you have trouble choosing your first taste of FICK’s beer, the Belgian Double is a refreshing glass of ale.

Address: 108 Old Toombul Road, Northgate, Qld
Opening hours: Thursday 3pm to 9pm, Friday to Saturday 12pm to 10pm, Sunday 12pm to 8pm.

3. Urban Ground, Vic

Over the past decade, south eastern Melbourne has witnessed somewhat of a brewery boom, with each venue looking to top the last.

a woman ordering a drink at Urban Ground — Head to Urban Ground for gin tastings on Sunday afternoons.

Urban Ground opened back in 2017 in a push to turn Mordialloc’s small industrial area into a yeasty wonderland. On weekends, food trucks line Urban Ground’s outdoor area to dish out different cuisines, while indoors, gin tastings prove to be a crowd favourite – especially on Saturday afternoons.

a group of people dining at Urban Ground’s outdoor area — Dish out different cuisines at Urban Ground’s outdoor area.

An onsite playground is a blessing for patrons with kids, as the adults can tuck into the biryani tacos while the young ones run amok within eyesight.

the al fresco dining area at Urban Ground — Nab an al fresco spot for a sundowner at Urban Ground.

Address: 1 Lamana Road, Mordialloc, Vic
Opening hours: Friday to Saturday 12pm to 11pm, Sunday 12pm to 6pm.

4. Cascade Brewery Bar, Tas

People’s love affair with Cascade Brewery Bar has been thoroughly documented by now; the views, drinks and overall atmosphere are unshakable.

the facade of Cascade Brewery Bar — Cascade Brewery Bar is the oldest operating brewery in Australia.

Touted as the oldest operating brewery in Australia, harkening back to the early 1800s, Hobart’s Cascade Brewery Bar has the appearance of a much-sought-after tourist destination, while remaining loyal to its regulars with quality pints and sharp wines, all of which have had years to perfect.

a look inside Cascade Brewery Bar with a fireplace — Cosy up by the fireplace.

Address: 140 Cascade Rd, South Hobart, Tas
Opening hours: Sunday to Tuesday 12pm to 5pm, Wednesday to Saturday 12pm to 9pm.

5. Capital Brewing Co, ACT

Achieving the rare feat of being open seven days a week, Capital Brewing Co takes the title of Fyshwick’s buzzing hotspot.

Arguably one of the busiest breweries Down Under (especially on the weekends), locals and tourists are ready and willing to line up for a taste of Capital Brewing Co’s bubbly gold.

Book a table ahead of time to rest your legs and tuck into a loaded hot dog courtesy of Brodburger, or associate with the hops connoisseurs in the outdoor area and compare amber schooners.

Address: 3/1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick, ACT
Opening hours: Sunday to Monday 11.30am to 8pm, Tuesday to Thursday 11.30am to 9pm, Friday 11am to 10pm, Saturday 11.30am to 10pm.

6. One Drop Brewing Co, NSW

Winning an array of awards for its beer, One Drop Brewing Co in Sydney has garnered immense praise and a hoard of regulars since opening its doors in 2019.

interior of One Drop Brewing Co — One Drop Brewing Co in Sydney has a hoard of regulars.

The greenhouse-style interior and breezy beer garden caters to all body temperatures, as does its drinks menu: on warm days, try One Drop’s beer slushies and soft serves, or opt for something heavier on cooler occasions, à la the Fudged Up Imperial Pastry Stout on the cooler days.

The variety of drinks can keep the most seasoned brewery lovers on their toes.

the breezy beer garden interior of One Drop Brewing Co — Relax with a drink in hand.

Address: 5 Erith St, Botany, NSW
Opening hours: Wednesday to Thursday 12pm to 9pm, Friday to Saturday 12pm to 10pm, Sunday 12pm to 8pm.

7. Otherside Brewhouse, WA

Hanging pot plants, colourful murals and a funky circular bar at the centre of the action are all a signature of Otherside Brewhouse .

the funky circular bar inside the Otherside Brewhouse — Enjoy an electric evening at the funky circular bar of the Otherside Brewhouse.

Originally conceived by a group of music industry mates in Fremantle, live gigs at Otherside have become a staple companion to the swaths of delectable beer at patrons’ fingertips. The laid-back atmosphere can transform into an electric evening at the strum of a guitar string, nicely balanced by the owners’ invitation for guests to bring their beloved dogs along for the experience.

the funky circular bar with hanging pots inside the Otherside Brewhouse — Soak in the laid-back atmosphere at the Otherside Brewhouse.

Share a plate of Caribbean-inspired vegan nachos and ask the staff to recommend a beer from their ‘Experimental and Creative’ menu.

people dining al fresco at Otherside Brewhouse — Otherside Brewhouse also has an al fresco, dog-friendly spot.

Address: Blaikie Street, Myaree, WA
Opening hours: Wednesday to Friday 3pm to 9pm, Saturday 11am to 8pm, Sunday 11am to 8pm.

8. Shapeshifter, SA

With a layout occasionally resembling an industrial German beer hall, Shapeshifter is designed to mingle.

a crowded brewery at Shapeshifter — Shapeshifter resembles an industrial German beer hall.

As this is a South Australian-based brewery, locally sourced wine competes for attention with the extensive range of beers, but there’s plenty of room for both in this mammoth establishment.

A kids’ corner filled with arcade games shouldn’t dissuade adults from playing a round of pinball themselves, as there’s no joy in life quite like beating a high score with one hand while holding a drink in the other.

pouring a tap beer into a glass at Shapeshifter — Pick from a selection of tap beers at Shapeshifter.

Address: Unit 2/54 Crittenden Road, Findon, SA
Opening hours: Thursday 4pm to 10pm, Friday to Saturday 12pm to 10pm, Sunday 12pm to 6pm.

9. The Mill Brewery, Vic

There’s something inherently Melburnian about The Mill Brewery ’s origins: revamping an old mechanic’s warehouse and upgrading it to a beer-slinging watering hole is incredibly on brand, and it’s a resounding success.

A stroll around Collingwood’s eclectic streets is an excursion in and of itself, so making Mill Brewery the final stop is the ultimate Sunday afternoon for a local.

This welcoming brewery has crafted a flawless collection of independent beers, including the tangy Lunar Fruits Blackberry and Yuzu Sours.

Address: 40 Sackville Street, Collingwood, Vic
Opening hours: Wednesday to Thursday 4pm to 10pm, Friday to Saturday 12pm to 11pm, Sunday 12pm to 8pm.

10. Mountain Culture Brewery, NSW

When passing through the Blue Mountains, reserve a few additional hours to spend at Mountain Culture Brewery .

two glasses of beer at Mountain Culture Brewery — The Mountain Culture brand extends further than its much-lauded brewery.

Located in a century-old building once used by Katoomba’s local newspaper employees, what you see now has kept the essence of the historic building with some modern, comfortable additions.

The Mountain Culture brand extends further than its much-lauded brewery, regularly selling out different drops online, but to get the full experience it’s best to go in person.

the interior of Mountain Culture Brewery in Katoomba — Mountain Culture Brewery is housed in a century-old building.

Address: 23-25 Parke Street, Katoomba, NSW
Opening hours: Wednesday 5pm to 9pm, Thursday to Saturday 11am to 9pm, Sunday 11am to 8pm.

11. Beaver Brewery, NT

Keep an eye out for a convoy of food trucks parked at Beaver Brewery in Darwin, serving Northern Territory delicacies including juicy salt and pepper crocodile, fluffy magpie goose bao buns and local Purple Mango pizzas – it’s a treasure trove of taste bud delights.

a look inside Beaver Brewery — Swing by Beaver Brewery for a cold beer.

Once you’ve popped some croc in your gob, keep an eye out for Chris, part-owner of the family-run brewery, and he’ll ensure the beer you’re drinking was meant for you.

You’ll likely get a kick out of the beer logos, too, featuring adorable little beavers dressed in costumes reflecting the names of each drink.

two glasses of beer at Beaver Brewery — Get a kick out of the beer logos.

Address: 2/14 Tang Street, Coconut Grove, NT
Opening hours: Friday 4pm to 10pm, Saturday 12pm to 8pm.

12. Smiling Samoyed, SA

Don’t be fooled by the beautiful dogs lounging around the microbrewery on any given day; the food and drinks at Smiling Samoyed in South Australia are just as much of a reason to visit as the white-haired bundles of happiness.

a close-up shot of a smiling samoyed — Meet adorable Samoyeds at this hip microbrewery.

Live out your lifelong dream of playing with pets while tasting a pint almost too good for this world. Kitsch signs plaster the timber interiors for an inviting, familiar feeling, and a little beer garden out back is the perfect accompaniment to a crisp lager.

people ordering drinks at Smiling Samoyed brewery — Play with pets while tasting a pint.

Address: Hansen Street, Myponga, SA
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 12pm to 4pm, Saturday to Sunday 11.30am to 5pm.

13. Boston Brewing Co, WA

Not all is as it seems at Boston Brewing Co . Among the usual suspects you’d expect to find on a brewery menu are hidden tastes of the world.

From mumbo chicken burgers with mesclun leaves and spicy mumbo sauce, braised lamb shoulder with spinach and bursts of pomegranate, plus a s’more chocolate cake with freeze-dried mandarins, the varied menu will have you returning every Saturday to try something new.

The immaculately styled two-storey brewery in Perth is a Victoria Park highlight, proving to be a top recommendation if you’re showing out-of-town friends around for the first time.

a look inside the Boston Brewing Co, WA — Pop into the two-storey Boston Brewing Co in Perth.

Address: 660 Albany Highway, Victoria Park, WA
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 11am until late.

14. Shambles, Tas

Ultra-modern, ultra-chic and ultra-sized, Shambles doesn’t do things half-heartedly.

A certain ‘wow’ factor lingers long after you’ve entered this deliberately designed brewery, yet not so much that you’re turned off coming altogether – the weekly drag bingo and trivia nights make that evident.

Pouring beers at Shambles — A certain ‘wow’ factor lingers long after you’ve entered Shambles.

Staff match the warmth of the patrons and then double it, while the beers have been created with care. It’s a day or night (or both) well spent in Tasmania.

Interior of Shambles brewery — Shambles is ultra-modern, ultra-chic and ultra-sized.

Address: 222 Elizabeth Street, Hobart, Tas
Opening hours: Wednesday to Thursday 4pm to 10pm, Friday to Saturday 12pm to 12am, Sunday 12pm to 8pm.

15. Range Brewing, Qld

Range Brewing has been the brewery of choice for many Newstead residents and travellers for what feels like decades – hyperbole of course, as the local haunt opened in 2018.

Recently, Range Brewing released a non-alcoholic collection of drinks, which mimic the flavour profile of its existing beverages to a tee.

The ambience on a Friday night is unmatched, so it’s the perfect destination to experience Newstead in peak form.

Address: 4 Byres Street, Newstead Qld
Opening hours: Wednesday 4pm to 9pm, Thursday 4pm to 10pm, Friday to Saturday 12pm to 10pm, Sunday 12pm to 9pm.

16. Riverside Brewing Company

riverside brewing company north parramatta — Stop in for the best beer in Sydney.

With a surprising location you’d only find if you were looking, Riverside Brewing Company packs a huge punch from its small venue. In fact, as a craft beer enthusiast who lived in Marrickville for years, I’ll gladly label it as the best beer in Sydney.

For lovers of hops, the IPAs here hit the mark, and the dark beer options are the best I’ve tasted. Sitting apart from other dark beers, there’s no coffee taste (a relief to me, personally), but they are dangerously smooth. BYO growler to take some home with you.

This two-man operation has a couple of things to sort out with the decor, but what they lack in that area they make up for in vibes. An afternoon here is like walking into Cheers, where not everybody knows your name, but they will by the end of the day.

Address: 3/2 N Rocks Rd, North Parramatta
Opening hours: Thursday to Saturday, 12pm to 6pm

Heading to Brisbane? Check out the extensive list of Brisbane’s best breweries.

Abandoned mills and forgotten paper plants are finding second lives – and helping redefine a city long underestimated.

Just 15 years ago, Federal Mills was a very different place. Once among the most significant industrial sites in Victoria, the historic woollen mill was one of a dozen that operated in Geelong at the industry’s peak in the mid-20th century, helping the city earn its title as ‘wool centre of the world’. But by the 1960s global competition and the rise of synthetic fabrics led to the slow decline of the industry, and Federal Mills finally shuttered its doors in 2001. Within a few years, the abandoned North Geelong grounds had become makeshift pastoral land, with cows and goats grazing among the overgrown grass between the empty red-brick warehouses. It was a forgotten pocket of the city, all but two klicks from the bustle of the CBD.

Geelong cellar door wine bar — Geelong has shed its industrial identity to become an innovative urban hub with reimagined heritage spaces. (Image: Ash Hughes)

Federal Mills: from forgotten factory to creative precinct

Today, the century-old complex stands reborn. The distinctive sawtooth-roof buildings have been sensitively restored. An old silo is splashed with a bright floral mural, landscapers have transformed the grounds, and the precinct is once again alive with activity. More than 1000 people work across 50-plus businesses here. It’s so busy, in fact, that on a sunny Thursday morning in the thick of winter, it’s hard to find a car park. The high ceilings, open-plan design, and large multi-paned windows – revolutionary features for factories of their time – have again become a drawcard.

Paddock Bakery andPatisserie — Paddock Bakery and Patisserie is housed within the historic wool factory. (Image: Gallant Lee)

At Paddock , one of the precinct’s newer tenants, weaving looms and dye vats have been replaced by a wood-fired brick oven and heavy-duty mixers. Open since April 2024, the bakery looks right at home here; the building’s industrial shell is softened by ivy climbing its steel frames, and sunlight streams through the tall windows. Outside, among the white cedar trees, families at picnic benches linger over dippy eggs and bagels, while white-collar workers pass in and out, single-origin coffee and crème brûlée doughnuts in hand.

Geelong: Australia’s only UNESCO City of Design

Paddock Bakery can be found at Federal Mills. (Image: Gallant Lee)

“A lot of people are now seeing the merit of investing in Geelong,” says Paul Traynor, the head of Hamilton Hospitality Group, which redeveloped Federal Mills. A city once shunned as Sleepy Hollow, and spurned for its industrial, working-class roots and ‘rust belt’ image, Geelong has long since reclaimed its ‘Pivot City’ title, having reinvented itself as an affordable, lifestyle-driven satellite city, and a post-COVID migration hotspot.

And the numbers stand testament to the change. In March 2025, and for the first time in its history, Greater Geelong became Australia’s most popular regional town for internal migration, overtaking Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Current forecasts suggest Geelong will continue to outpace many other Australian cities and towns, with jobs growing at double the rate of the population.

Tourism is booming, too. The 2023-24 financial year was Geelong and The Bellarine region’s busiest on record, with 6.4 million visitors making it one of the fastest-growing destinations in the country. It’s not hard to see why: beyond the city’s prime positioning at the doorstep of the Great Ocean Road, Geelong’s tenacity and cultural ambition stands out.

As Australia’s only UNESCO City of Design, Geelong is swiftly shaking off its industrial past to become a model for urban renewal, innovation, sustainability and creative communities. The signs are everywhere, from the revitalisation of the city’s waterfront, and the landmark design of the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre and Geelong Arts Centre, to the growing network of local designers, architects and artists, and the burgeoning roster of festivals and events. That’s not even mentioning the adaptive reuse of storied old industrial buildings – from Federal Mills, to Little Creatures’ brewery ‘village’ housed within a 1920s textile mill – or the city’s flourishing food and wine scene.

The rise of a food and wine destination

Restaurant 1915 is housed within a restored former boiler house. (Image: Harry Pope/Two Palms)

Traynor credits now-closed local restaurant Igni, which opened in 2016, as the turning point for Geelong’s hospo industry. “[Aaron Turner, Igni’s chef-patron] was probably the first guy, with all due respect, to raise the bar food-wise for Geelong,” he says. “People now treat it really seriously, and there’s clearly a market for it.” While Igni is gone, Turner now helms a string of other notable Geelong venues, including The Hot Chicken Project and Tacos y Liquor, all within the buzzy, street art-speckled laneways of the CBD’s Little Malop Street Precinct. Many others have also popped up in Igni’s wake, including Federal Mills’ own restaurant, 1915 . Housed within the cavernous boiler house, 1915’s interior is dramatic: soaring, vaulted ceilings with timber beams, exposed brick, a huge arched window. The share plates echo the space’s bold character, playing with contrast and texture, with dishes such as a compressed watermelon tataki, the sweet, juicy squares tempered by salty strands of fried leeks, and charred, smoky snow peas dusted with saganaki on a nutty bed of romesco.

The Woolstore , one of The Hamilton Group’s most recent hospo projects, opened in February. It occupies a century-old riverside warehouse and exudes a more sultry, fine dining ambience. Much like Federal Mills, the blueprint was to preserve the original brickwork, tallowwood flooring and nods to the building’s former life. That same careful consideration extends to the well-versed, affable waitstaff as well as the kitchen. Head chef Eli Grubb is turning out an eclectic mix of ambitious and indulgent mod Oz dishes that deliver: strikingly tender skewers of chicken tsukune, infused with hints of smoke from the parrilla grill, and glazed with a moreish, sweet gochujang ‘jam’; nduja arancini fragrant with hints of aniseed and the earthy lick of sunny saffron aioli; and golden squares of potato pavé, adorned with tiny turrets of crème fraîche, crisp-fried saltbush leaves, and Avruga caviar, to name but a few stand-out dishes.

Woolstore menu — Woolstore’s menu is designed for sharing.

Breathing new life into historic spaces

On the city’s fringe, hidden down a winding side road with little fanfare, lies a long-dormant site that’s being gently revived. Built from locally quarried bluestone and brick, and dating back to the 1870s, the complex of original tin-roofed mill buildings is lush with greenery and backs onto the Barwon River and Buckley Falls; the audible rush of water provides a soothing soundtrack. Fyansford Paper Mill is one of few complexes of its time to survive intact. It feels steeped in history and spellbindingly rustic.

“We were looking for an old industrial place that had some charm and romance to it,” explains Sam Vogel, the owner, director and winemaker at Provenance Wines which moved here in 2018. When he first viewed the building with his former co-owner, it was in such a state of disrepair that the tradie tenant occupying the space had built a shed within it to escape the leaking roof and freezing winter temperatures. “To say it was run down would be an understatement,” he notes. “There was ivy growing through the place; the windows were all smashed. It was a classic Grand Designs project.”

Provenance Wines moved to Fyansford Paper Mill in 2018. (Image: Cameron Murray Photography)

The team has since invested more than a million dollars into their new home. Where paper processing machinery once sat, wine barrels are now stacked. Vaulted cathedral ceilings are strung with festoon lights, and hidden in plain sight lies a shadowy mural by local street artist de rigueur Rone – one of only three permanent works by the artist.

While the award-winning, cool-climate pinot noir, riesling and chardonnay naturally remain a key draw at Provenance, the winery’s restaurant is a destination in itself. Impressed already by whipsmart service, I devour one of the most cleverly curated and faultlessly executed degustations I’ve had in some time. It’s all prepared in a kitchen that is proudly zero-waste, and committed to providing seasonal, ethical and locally sourced meat and produce under head chef Nate McIver. Think free-range venison served rare with a syrupy red wine jus and a half-moon of neon-orange kosho, shokupan with a deeply savoury duck fat jus (a modern Japanese take on bread and drippings), and a golden potato cake adorned with a colourful confetti of dehydrated nasturtiums and tomato powder, and planted atop a sea urchin emulsion.

handcrafted pieces — Bell’s handcrafted functional pieces on display.

The complex is home to a coterie of independent businesses, including a gallery, a jeweller, and its latest tenant, ceramicist Elizabeth Bell, drawn here by the building’s “soul”. “There’s so much potential for these buildings to have new life breathed into them,” says Bell, whose studio is housed within the old pump room. “Even people in Geelong don’t know we’re here,” she says. “It’s definitely a destination, but I like that. It has a really calming atmosphere.”

A Melbourne transplant, Bell now feels at home in Geelong, which offers something Melbourne didn’t. “If this business was in Melbourne I don’t think it would’ve been as successful,” she notes. “It’s very collaborative in Geelong, and I don’t think you get that as much in Melbourne; you’re a bit more in it for yourself. Here it’s about community over competition.”

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