Whether tucked away in backstreets or occupying prime positions, these hop-filled hangouts are must-visit material.
There are so many great breweries in Australia that we can’t mention them all, so BIG4 Holiday Parks has narrowed their list to those near BIG4 parks, with emphasis on smaller setups. Even then, we’ve had a few selection headaches.
BREWERIES IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Smiling Samoyed, Myponga
Tucked behind the main street of a small Fleurieu Peninsula town, this brewery has evolved from hidden gem to essential visit. So-named for the resident, ridiculously cute Samoyed dogs that wander between the benches, the rustic brewery is not just about pretty faces. Its selection of ales is packed with flavour: if you’re up for a challenge, try the Chilli Beer.
Prancing Pony Brewery, Mt Barker
The brews are for serious craft beer lovers; the quirky “Brewshed” is for anyone who likes a warm, oft-bustling atmosphere. Prancing Pony is a prized Adelaide Hills attraction thanks largely to a tap range that gives the palate plenty to think about. You can’t go past the brilliantly named Hopwork Orange (American pale ale) or the India Red Ale.
While in the region: Nearby Lobethal Bierhaus is just as tempting.
The Steam Exchange Brewery, Goolwa
Occupying an enviable spot within the Goolwa Wharf Precinct, this little treasure has just a handful of core beers, but it’s all about quality over quantity (the Steam Ale is very sessionable). On a sunny day, sipping on a beer on the deck while overlooking the water is hard to beat.
Woolshed Brewery, Renmark
There is so much to love about this brewery: the century-old woolshed building, the glorious Murray River views, and the pleasant ambience. Oh, and there are tasty ales to savour as well. This is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing arvo.
BREWERIES IN VICTORIA
Bright Brewery, Bright
With prime position in the town centre, Bright Brewery is well-suited to settling in for a few frothier. A generous selection is there for the tasting, including seasonal releases, but for the indecisive try the fruity deliciousness of the Blowhard Pale Ale. With both indoor and outdoor seating, this is a winner no matter the weather.
While in the area: Try Bridge Road Brewers, “up the road” in Beechworth.
Blackman’s Brewery, Torquay
A relative newcomer, Blackman’s Brewery punches out seriously tasty “craftier” and serves them up in an inviting space. The wide variety of beers are named after members of the Blackman family, and the Reginald IPA stands out from the pack.
While in the region: Forrest Brewing Company is among a few notable options.
Hargreaves Hill Brewing Co., Yarra Glen
There’s a cluster of excellent microbreweries in the Yarra Valley but our focus is on one of the region’s stalwarts. The bright white facade of Hargreaves Hill’s historical building gives way to a cosy brewery that serves up a seriously good core range of brews, with its English special bitter (ESB) leading the way.
While in the area: Check out Coldstream, Napoleone, Watts River, etc, etc.
Red Duck, Ballarat
This brewery had to make the list if only for the distinctiveness of its beers. Red Duck brews have tons of flavour, whether from the core range or seasonal varieties. The set up is more conducive to a wine cellar-door tasting experience rather than a sit-down-and-settle-in one, but don’t let that put you off visiting.
While in the region: If you’re after a more sociable experience, try the Athletic Club Brewery in the CBD’s heart.
Westside Ale Works, South Melbourne
We’ve steered our focus away from capital cities where breweries are a dime a sixpack, but we couldn’t go past this little beauty. Westside’s setting is so intimate that it’s like you’re drinking in a friend’s garage; a feeling enhanced by the overt friendliness of the brewery’s expat American owners. Most importantly, its ever-evolving tap range is crammed with a wide variety of tasty brews.
While in the region: Where do we start? Among the many Melbourne breweries, special mentions go to Mountain Goat, Two Birds, and Dainton, which is just minutes from BIG4 Dandenong Tourist Park.
BREWERIES IN TASMANIA
Shambles Brewery, Hobart
Spotted in vibrant North Hobart and within walking distance to the CBD, Shambles pours a series of full-flavoured beers from a menu that’s constantly changing. Indoor and outdoor spaces draw a crowd, and the appeal is enhanced knowing that another option — T-Bone Brewing Co. — is just a couple of hundred metres up the road.
Iron House Brewery, Four Mile Creek
OK, so this one isn’t near a BIG4 park but its location seemingly in the middle of nowhere — complete with stunning ocean views on Tassie’s East Coast — makes it well worth visiting. These guys make everything from beer to wine and whisky, and do it well. And a selection of light and dark beers means there is something for everyone.
Breweries in QLD
Fortitude Brewing Co., North Tamborine
There is so much to like about this brewery, including its positioning in the magnificent Gold Coast hinterland. The bar area is typically Queenslander with its emphasis on embracing the outdoors, while the combination of two labels — Fortitude and Noisy Minor — means an incredibly diverse offering of beers are up for grabs.
Burleigh Brewing Co., Burleigh Heads
Twenty-plus taps, live music, and a communal space that encourages socialising are among the many reasons to pay a visit to this established Gold Coast brewery. Its core range is top shelf, complete with creative names that include My Wife’s Bitter, FIGJAM, and Hassle Hop. Yet 28 is the magic number here: it’s the name of Burleigh’s pale ale, and it never fails to please.
While in the region: Balter Brewing at Currumbin combines a warehouse-style setting with excellent beers and lists surfer Mick Fanning as one of its co-founders.
Bargara Brewing Company, Bundaberg
With working tanks almost within arm’s reach, a visit to this brewhouse provides an authentic craft-beer experience. It’s not flash but that’s the appeal: it’s simply a great space with a vibrant atmosphere, all backed by a super selection of brews. Get the tastebuds dancing by sampling the Rusty Roo red ale.
BREWERIES IN NSW
4 Pines Brewing Company, Manly
The brewpub in Manly had to be expanded to cope with the crowds, and is it any wonder? 4 Pines produces exceptional beers, whether part of its core range (we’re looking at you, pale ale and ESB) or the regular small-batch keller door brews.
While in the region: Sydney breweries are here, there, and everywhere. Among the many to visit are Young Henrys and Willie the Boatman.
Stone and Wood Brewing Co., Byron Bay
The fact Stone and Wood has created one of the most iconic brews of our time — Pacific Ale — makes it worth visiting alone. Join a brewery tour to enhance the experience, and be sure to pop into the bathroom (guys only), as the ingenious urinals will likely get a laugh or two.
While in the region: Byron Bay Brewery might not be as famous as Stone and Wood but it is central.
Thirsty Crow Brewing Co., Wagga Wagga
With its CBD location, a communal atmosphere, and a beer menu packed with all sorts of flavours and aromas, Thirsty Crow won’t disappoint. It’s dog friendly, kid friendly, and friendly in general and has plenty of space to go around. While it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, the Crow’s Vanilla Milk Stout is award-winning.
Black Duck Brewing, Port Macquarie
Duck into this little gem and tell us this isn’t what a craft brewery should look like. It’s a nondescript giant shed minus the frills, but it does exactly what it needs to: serve up palate-pleasing brews in relaxing surrounds. Its eight taps cover popular styles of lagers and ales but deliver flavour without an excessive alcohol by volume (ABV) … mostly.
Longstocking Brewery, Pambula
Established just 18 months ago, this little craft brewery themes its beers around the Roaring 20s to produce such titles as the Bonnie and Clyde, and Fatty Arbuckle. Along with its various tap beers, Longstocking produces ciders and ginger beer, all served up in an inviting, all-weather setting.
Murray’s Craft Brewing Co., Bob’s Farm (Port Stephens)
Among the biggest names in the craft-beer game, Murray’s is all class. Its brewery setting is inviting both inside and out, it conducts daily brewery tours, and runs a series of crowd-pulling annual events. And at the heart of it all is a mammoth collection of superb beers, many of which are far from the ordinary.
Camel Rock Brewery, Wallaga Lake
We might be biased, but we think this one deserves a mention. Camel Rock is a brewery inside BIG4 Wallaga Lake Holiday Park, minutes from Bermagui on the beautiful south coast. Housed in a heritage-style building, it’s story is only emerging, yet it sounds like holiday park heaven to us.
BREWERIES IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Little Creatures, Fremantle
One of the “godfathers” of the Australian craft-brewing scene, Little Creatures has experienced considerable growth without compromising on its product. And its massive waterfront site is the place to be in Fremantle on a sunny day — or an ordinary one — with a bustling atmosphere all but guaranteed. Its staple pale ale remains a crowd favourite while the heavier IPA is one of the best in the country.
While in the region: Nearby Monk Brewery delivers delightful brews in relaxing surrounds.
Bootleg Brewery, Margaret River
Bootleg calls itself “an oasis of beer in a desert of wine”, and that may have been true when it was established way back in 1994. Nowadays, breweries are drawn to Margaret River and surrounds like bees to a hive. Yet competition has not diminished Bootleg’s appeal. Its ales and lagers remain first rate and sitting among its idyllic, tree-lined surrounds on a warm day with beer in hand is hedonism at its best.
While in the region: Cowaramup Brewing and Cheeky Monkey are among other options.
Eagle Bay Brewing, Dunsborough
Among the rich pickings of South West WA breweries, Eagle Bay is up there with the best. Located on a working farm and affording spectacular views, the brewery follows the German Purity Law to produce five core beers, including a delicious ESB, as well as various specials.
Feral Brewing Co., Swan Valley
Anyone who knows anything about craft beer is likely to have heard of Feral (think Hop Hog). Its booming brewpub in the heart of wine country makes for a magnificent day out with its spacious surrounds that include a beer garden and a tap room that showcases more than half-a-dozen beers. Outstanding.
While in the region: Stop by Ironbark or Mash breweries.
Boston Brewing Co., Denmark
There’s loads to love about this family-run brewery. Sample an almighty selection of beers — all carrying names honouring the Great Southern region — led by an American-style pale ale and a nutbrown ale that’s bursting with flavours. These tasty brews are best enjoyed in a sweeping outdoor area that’s dog friendly and complete with a huge playground. And if you’re staying at the local BIG4 park, take advantage of the regular shuttle service that runs between your accommodation and the brewpub.
BREWERIES IN NORTHERN TERRITORY
Six Tanks Brewery, Darwin
Need to quench a thirst in the Top End? This is your spot. Abundant taps serve up delicious craft beers from the local brewer as well as a host of guest breweries. The space is inviting, the food delicious, and the atmosphere ideal for a relaxing afternoon in the Northern Territory capital.
When visiting these or any other brewery, please don’t drink and drive.
This article originally appeared on Big4.com.au.
