Australians love their beer, many get on the ales regularly. They love it so much that many people are making their own and creating microbreweries. They are turning drinking a beer into a relaxing lifestyle by adding great food and ambience to the beer drinking experience. There are now literally hundreds of microbreweries in Australia. It is a hope to visit many. I asked some other travellers their favourite microbrewery they have discovered during their Australian travels, and this is what they said.

I have listed the micro breweries under the state they are in. It seems my fellow travel bloggers love the beers in NSW, Victoria and Western Australia the most!

New South Wales Microbreweries

Devil’s Hollow, Dubbo, NSW

Devil’s Hollow is a local brewery in Dubbo (NSW). It was founded in 2019 by a group of school friends who came up with the amazing idea of starting a brewery while traveling.

The brewery is a fun and laidback brewpub where they serve delicious wood fired pizzas.

The staff is incredibly friendly. They love to tell you everything about their beer when you visit the brewpub. There are nine signature beers: Two IPAs, two lagers, a Belgian blonde, a witbier, and a dark, red, and pale ale. My two favourite ones include the Belgian blonde and the witbier, but it’s definitely worth trying them all.

They also organise brewery tours for people who are interested to learn more about the beer-making process. And if you want to bring an Australian souvenir home, you can buy their beers directly at the brewpub.

Contributed by Law Hartog of The Best Travel Gifts

Longstocking Brewery, Pambula

I stumbled across Longstocking Brewery outside of Pambula while on a road trip up the Princes Highway (A1) recently. It is part of the Oaklands Estate which comprises of a garden centre, a hairdresser in an old English bus, unique shops and restaurant with fabulous indoor and outdoor areas. The brewery is an amazing venue not only for beer but for ciders, oysters, wood fired pizza and live music. There is live music most nights and around lunchtime on the weekends.

If you love your beer Longstocking Brewery makes its own pale ales, dark ales, pilseners, lagers and ciders to try. All beers are brewed onsite. You can tour the production area. It is also a very dog-friendly place with a ‘library of sticks’ for your fury friend to play with out the back with the horses.

If you are looking for a stop on the NSW South-east consider stopping at the Longstocking Brewery just south of Pambula.

Young Henrys, Newtown, Sydney

Hidden away in a red brick warehouse in the back streets of Inner western Sydney, Young Henry’s, one of the city’s most popular craft breweries. 

Celebrating their 10th year in 2022, this place is as unassuming and welcoming as it was when it opened with its purpose to serve the local community good honest brews that showcase Australian flavours. 

They are perhaps best known for their award winning Newtowner, a slightly bitter pale ale that is easy drinking and has been on the menu since 2012. There are always at least 6-8 beers on tap. For non beer drinkers, they do a great cloudy apple cider and have a distillery, which makes a great gin called Noble Cut.

There is no onsite restaurant, but a rotation of great food trucks keeps hunger at bay. I always enjoyed the laid back vibe here. Most weekends there is live music too! If you are visiting the city it’s a great place to include on your list of things to eat and drink in Sydney.

Contributed by Paula Morgan of Sydney Expert

Tasmania Microbreweries

Little Rivers Brewing Co, Scottsdale, North-East Tasmania

Little Rivers Brewing Co. is in Scottsdale, North-East Tasmania, in this little town only a short drive from the Tamar Valley wineries in the Pipers Brook area. They brew a premium quality ale, made from fresh natural ingredients with no preservatives, which is what I love about their beers. They have a core range includes an American style pale ale, a German style dark lager and Golden ale.

Another of their core range is a refreshing Summer lager, a golden straw colour named for the area (Dorset Lager), which is my favourite by far, followed by the dark lager. In addition to their core range, they make a selection of seasonal ales, which are favourites among the locals and tourists. At the cellar door in Scottsdale, you are able to get a tasting paddle, which we always love to do. Whilst they don’t have a formal kitchen grazing platters can be constructed from the local cheese, meats and crackers that are available. Alternatively,  you can bring a platter with you, which we often do.

Contributed by Jeanine De Diana of Lets go a Wandering

Victoria Breweries

Bright Brewery, Bright

Bright Brewery is an independent, family-owned craft brewery, bar and restaurant located on the banks of the Ovens River, in the heart of Bright, Victoria. Like many of the local microcbreweries I have discovered while travelling around Australia, the founder of Bright Brewery founded the company on a passion for well-made beer from local produce in the area. And Bright Brewery is a classic example of this.

Started in two small sheds the brewery today has gone under substantial redevelopment and is a great venue to enjoy a meal and a beer. Beers to enjoy include the Alpine Lager, Blowhard Pale Ale, Hellfire Amber Ale, M.I.A IPA and Bright Sour. I found myself quite partial to the Alpine Lager. It went very well with my 12” pizza!

If driving along the Alpine Way, I suggest a visit to the Bright Brewery for a meal and a beer or two should be added to list of things to experience in this part of Victoria.

Mountain Goat Brewery, Richmond, Melbourne

Located in a nondescript warehouse in the backstreets of Richmond, on a typical weekday night you wouldn’t even know that Mountain Goat Brewery was there, except for their signature goat head emblem on the steel roller door. 

Behind the scenes, they run a fully working brewery during the day and from 5pm-til late Thursday through Sundays, they roll up the roller door and welcome guests into the Mountain Goat Brewery Bar. 

It’s a fun, rustic warehouse with great vibes where you can taste their creations under strings of festoon lights, with the vats and tanks of beer as the backdrop and pizzas are delivered to order, conveyer belt style! If you’re visiting Melbourne, this is one place you absolutely do not want to miss!

Contributed by Vicki Garside of The Big Australia Bucket List

Blackman’s Brewery, Torquay

At the start of the Great Ocean Road in the surf capital of Torquay, you’ll find the incredible Blackmans Brewery. 

Named the ‘Best Small Australian Brewery’ by the Australian International Beer Awards in 2019, they brew each and every one of their ales in their onsite brewery, where it is stored and served to you in tanks less than 5m from where you sit! You can’t get fresher than that!

They have an onsite restaurant serving pub grub such as pizza, beer and tacos, and have recently opened a beer garden for those epic summer days and nights.

They’re independent, creative (take a look at their colourful can designs if you don’t believe me!) and their motto is “we like good beer”. What more could you ask for in a microbrewery?!

Contributed by Vicki Garside of The Big Australia Bucket List

Coldstream Brewery, Yarra Valley

The Yarra Valley is known for being one of Australia’s best wine regions, but it has a secret – it has a number of micro breweries. The most notable, and my favourite of the microbreweries in Australia is the Coldstream Brewery. Located along the Main Street in Coldstream, the brewery was started by a couple of friends. You can’t miss the brewery with its naked man in a barrel at the top front of the building. You will also see the naked cold man in their logo.

As well as offering some very tasty beers, the Coldstream Brewery also makes cider. The beer isn’t brewed onsite nowadays but you can see where it was made and enjoy a meal in the restaurant. Serving great Aussie food – chicken parma, burgers and truffle fries.

Contributed by Sharyn McCullum of Live Work Play – Australia

Western Australian Microbreweries

Whalebone Brewing Co, Exmouth

There’s a growing number of micro breweries located around Australia, but one of my favourites from my recent Big Lap around Australia was Whalebone Brewing Co. Located in the remote WA town of Exmouth, the brewery offers a wide range of beers on tap, from lagers to IPAs and even a ginger beer, best sampled on one of their distinctive curved tasting paddles.

The relaxed grounds of the brewery is a popular destination to head come evening time, after a day visiting the nearby Ningaloo Reef. There’s a playground to entertain the kids and they have a delicious menu of pizzas cooked onsite. It’s also a dog-friendly spot in Exmouth, with well-behaved dogs on a leash welcome.

Contributed by Shandos Cleaver of Travelnuity: Dog-Friendly Travel

Matso’s Brewery, Broome

A trip to the iconic Matso’s Brewery is a must-do for visitors to Broome, Western Australia. I make sure I visit this family-owned and operated brewpub anytime I’m in town.

Taking out the title for the most remote brewery in Australia, Matso’s is most well-known for its popular Matso’s Ginger Beer. All beer lovers will find something to enjoy here, from the typical lager to the more peculiar zesty chilli beer (try it if you dare!).

Besides the stellar line-up of craft beer options, the brewery is also one of the best spots in town for a meal. Whether it’s fresh seafood or my personal favourite, a flavoursome Indian curry from the Matso Curry Hut, there’s something for everyone. You’ll find live music there on weekends, best enjoyed from the courtyard terrace wrapping around the venue overlooking the mangroves of Roebuck Bay.

Contributed by Tess Moone of Tess Somewhere

Eagle Bay Brewing Co, Margaret River

Perched on the tip of Cape Naturaliste, in Western Australia, Eagle Bay brewing is a standout amongst the many brilliant wineries, distilleries, and breweries of the Margaret River region. Thanks to its superior selection of beers on tap, as well as offering ciders and a brilliant view to boot it’s a must-stop on a southwest road trip.

Small batch craft beers available include Kolsch, XPA’s, and IPA’s as well as classic lagers, or head into their seasonal series which in the past have included Stouts to Hazy’s. Enjoy a customised flight of tastings or follow their suggested flight menu. They offer growler refills as well as can and bottle sales, and a cellar door for their partner winery Eagle Bay Vineyards.

Based on the stunningly picturesque 66-acre d’Espeissis family farm west of Dunsborough, if you’re looking for a large gathering brewery where all the family is catered for this is your spot. Do book well in advance for the acclaimed farm-fresh restaurant, especially on weekends. Smaller groups can easily be accommodated without booking during the week and out of peak dining times.

The brewery is open 7 days 11am to 5pm.

Contributed by Keri of Mama Loves A Drink

Are You ready to Get on the Ales?

Although many like to get on the ales in the microbreweries in Australia, don’t worry you wine lovers as the breweries usually stock some local wine for you. I’d love to add to this list of microbreweries so if you have been to a brew house not mentioned, I love to hear from you. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy getting on the ales!