The holiday season is upon us! The weather is fine, and very soon we’ll be all wanting to escape the scorching summer heat in the city, a bonus of living in Brissy is that we don’t have to drive too far to find some delightful destinations to escape too! Whether you’re heading North, Southeast or West, we’ve got you covered with our top 10 picks for the best breweries to stop off at for a schooey while you make tracks to beat the heat. #yew
Moffat Beach Brewing Co, Caloundra QLD
Winner of the 2018 Independent Brewing Awards, these crafty characters have made some very choice brews with equally creative labels, thus taking away the Gold Medal at the Independent Brewers Awards aka “the Indies”. Moffat Beach Brewing Co in Caloundra is just over an hours drive from Brissie, situated on the beach and a summer road trip must do.
Where: 12 Seaview Tce, Moffat Beach QLD.
Opening Hours: Monday 7am – 4pm. Tuesday 7am – 8pm Wednesday – Sunday 7am – late
Brouhaha Brewery, Maleny QLD
Another stand out from the Indie’s is Brouhaha, cleaning up with the most medals won! Located in the rolling green hills of Malaney in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, Brouhaha has an emphasis on being local and sustainable using seasonal ingredients. Since opening in 2016 Brouhaha has produced 30 varieties of the liquid gold, with an abundance of brews to choose from their award-winning range including:
Oatmeal PA, Lager, Pale Ale, Fruited French Saison – (Raspberry), Milk Stout, Strawberry Rhubarb Sour, IPA, and a Double IPA.
Their seasonal range features an array of tropical and citrus fruity additions with more to come! After popping down to Gardners Falls for a dip or to quench that thirst you worked up going for a bushwalk to Kondalilla Falls, we can’t imagine a better way to end the day having a cold one at this beautiful brewery. Bonus there are some great Airbnbs in the area too if you fancy a longer stay.
Where: 6/39 Coral Street, Malaney, QLD
Opening hours: Mon – Sun 11am – Late
Your Mates Brewing Co, Sunshine Coast
Built on mate-ship this brewery is a collaboration of beer fanatic fella’s Hep and McGarry’s “blood, sweat, and beers”. Allot of hard yakka went into building Your Mates Brewing Co on the Sunny Coast with the original brewery coming to fruition thanks to the help of mates and the good ole’ Aussie beer economy. Many labour-intensive hours were put into perfecting the recipe for these delicious drops, thanks to the locals who backed the boys’ venture that made this brewing endeavour possible.
Something we can all appreciate is quality tinnie art, and Your Mates Beer Co does it brews justice, featuring all ya mates on its colourful cans: Macca, your true-blue mate Lager, Donnie the dark horse Dark Ale, Sally the botanical beauty IPA and Larry the party shirt-wearing Pale Ale. There’s also some sick merch with t-shirts and stubbie coolers too. Gather your mates and go have a yarn over a cold one at Your Mates Brewing Co on your Sunny Coast Road trip.
Where: 41 Technology Drive, Warana
Opening Hours: Wednesday 11am – 9pm, Thursday 11am – 9pm, Friday 11am – 11pm, Saturday 11am – 11pm, Sunday 11am – 9pm
Land & Sea, Noosa
Another brewer who cleaned up at the Indies is Land & Sea in Noosa (Sunny Coast represent!), picking up awards for:
* Silver Kolsch
* Bronze First Point Pale Ale
* Gold Japanese Rice Lager
* Silver The Socializer
Land & Sea pride themselves of being craftsman applying a scientific approach with a dash of experimentation in the mix to produce high-quality, refined yet original brews. If you haven’t been to Noosa, then well you need too. As its namesake suggests, the Brewery is nestled between the land of Tewantin National park boasting sub-tropical Rainforest, open eucalypt forest, and wallum heath on volcanic remnants and Sea, the undulating turquoise swells of the pacific ocean that laps onto granite stone and white sandy beaches. There’s an air of sophistication that shines through in the crafting of these very fine brews, that, even if you consider yourself a craft beer aficionado, Land & Sea will certainly exceed expectations.
Where: 19 Venture Drive, Noosaville, 4566
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri 11am – 10pm
Fortitude Brewing Co, Mt Tambourine
The Fortitude Brewing Co is a crafty brewery indeed, taking away Gold in the 2018 Australian International Beer Awards for their Pale Ale, Silver for their Summer Ale and Silver for their Tropical Light Ale. You won’t find anything too experimental on the menu, just fine quality drops that will tickle your fancy particularly if you consider yourself a craft beer connoisseur. Situated in the subtropical rainforest of Mount Tamborine, you’ll need to make your way up the winding roads to this pretty paradise, and make sure you pop in for a tipple or two.
Where: 165 Long Road, Mount Tamborine QLD
Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday 11am – 4pm, Friday, 11am – 6pm, Saturday 10am – 6pm, Sunday 10am – 5pm.
Lost Palms Brewing Co, Miami Beach
Lost Palms sure is getting us excited with its delectable selection of bevies on the menu encased in some very pretty tinnies! This brewery is reminiscent of the 1980’s Gold Coast, mixing Miami Vice vibes with its niche design and pops of pelican pink pastels. It’s fun, frivolous palm springs styling that’s defo going to get all your mates jelly on the gram. Lost Palms is a little bit of paradise in a can, and the brewery, a beer connoisseurs candy land you’ll want to taste all the things! Featuring:
* Mango & Passionfruit American Wheat
* Smoked Maple Porter
* Finger Lime & Saltbush Sour
* XPA
* IPA’s
* Gold Coast Bitter Lager
* Summer Ale
Sneak on in for a schooey soon.
Where: 11 Oak Ave, Miami, QLD
Opening Hours: Friday – Saturday 12pm -10pm, Sunday 12pm – 7pm
Balter, Currumbin
Balter has the selection of seductive IPA’s and XPA’s that are not just your fave tinnie BUT, an actual destination. A place that exists where you can totally visit and drink all the frothy’s on tap. Situated in the beautiful Currumbin on the Gold Coast, this brewery gives you plenty of reasons to put this number on your bucket list.
Where: 14 Traders Way, Currumbin QLD
Opening Hours: Wednesday and Thursday 3pm – 8pm, Friday 3pm – 9pm, Saturday 12pm – 8pm, Sunday 12pm – 7pm.
Stone & Wood, Byron Bay, NSW
The rather new brewery built in the Induza Estate in Byron Bay is a welcome new addition to the town. Stone & Wood is a superb way to wind down after catching some sun and waves at the abundance of local beaches in the region with their classic Pacific Ale, Cloud Catcher, Green Coast, and Jasper Ale ALL available on tap right here! You can also get limited edition brews such as ‘the Gatherer’ with watermelon, mint, and cucumber that’s more refreshing than a wade in the water at Wategos. Another beer that’s around for a good time, not a long time is ‘So Long Darkness’, an ode to the winter months farewell and a fresh take on the old fashioned Stout with flavors of Chocolate and Coffee. This surprising brew is a little on the lighter side than your traditional stout, but very suitable for the turn of the season.
Where: 100 Centennial Circuit, Byron Bay NSW 2481
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday 10am – 5pm, Saturday – Sunday 12pm – 6pm
Byron Bay Brewing Co, Byron Bay, NSW
More than just a Brewery but a pretty epic venue too, Byron Bay Brewing Co plays host to an array of touring musos and bands. The outdoor courtyard is a beer garden like no other with a giant fig tree that envelopes the d-floor. Neighbouring the old Arts Factory Backpackers Lodge, there’s always some intrepid travellers about, as well as locals. A very distinctive point of difference is that this Brewery is also home to a cinema. Now Byron Bay is a bit of a party town at times and this is one fun venue for lovers of live music and LAGERS. They’ve got $5 tinnies, 2 PA’S, an IPA, Red Lager and a Dark Lager. Check out what’s on with a bevy of bands touring year-round and get on down to The Byron Bay Brewing Co. Grab a beer and some nosh, listen to some live music and have yourself some good times.
Where: 1 Skinners Shoot Road, Byron Bay NSW
Opening Hours: Wednesday – Sunday 12pm – Late
