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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
Share a plate of Caribbean-inspired vegan nachos and ask the staff to recommend a beer from their ‘Experimental and Creative’ menu.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Address: 2/14 Tang Street, Coconut Grove, NT
Opening hours: Friday 4pm to 10pm, Saturday 12pm to 8pm.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
