The birthplace of Brisbane’s craft scene
Aside from the hallowed grounds at the XXXX Brewery in Milton, Newstead and Teneriffe might as well be the birthplace of Brisbane craft beer. The boom began here and the area remains a handy precinct for hops-infused bar hopping. For a tidy trip, we suggest starting on Byres Street, where relative newcomer Range Brewing has brought some Scando sensibilities to the scene, offering a continuously rotating selection of beers to try so no visit is ever the same. Then we reckon moving on to the outfits that started it all – Newstead Brewing Co. on Doggett Street followed by Green Beacon Brewing on Helen Street. These tipple titans have huge selections to choose from, and if you’re feeling peckish you can sample local street food at Green Beacon or select from Newstead’s in-house menu. Finally, head to the nearby CityCat stop and cruise over the river to Revel Brewing Co. in Bulimba, where you can enjoy some laid-back atmosphere, crisp beers and Neapolitan-style pizzas.
Get into the thick of it
If you enjoy your beer while surrounded by the sights and sounds of the inner city, then this crawl will take you through Brisbane’s pumping nightlife. Meet your crew riverside at the Howard Smith Wharves and start your crawl at Felons Brewing Co. for a few schooners with a side order of phenomenal skyline views. Once you’ve polished off a round or two, take the lift up to Fortitude Valley and make your way to Soapbox Beer on Gipps Street, where liquid gold and stimulating conversation flow in equal amounts. You can make tracks for Bridge Street, where Stone & Wood’s Brisbane brewery has made quite the splash with its hotly anticipated opening. Finally, over in Spring Hill sits Archer Brewing, a secretive sudsy saloon that is pouring easy-drinking beers using all-Australian produce.
Local icons and up-and-comers
Brisbane has always had a strong brewing history – so if you want to mix your crawl with a bit of old and new, we suggest heading for Petrie Terrace and Milton. Start off proceedings by lining your stomach and having a beer at Petrie Terrace microbrewery and burger joint Fritzenberger. Cruise down Caxton Street and make a left at Castelmaine Street to find Newstead Brewing Co.’s sizeable Milton set up in the shadow of Suncorp Stadium. Once you’ve sampled the range, head down Milton Road and pay homage to the greats at the XXXX Brewery Alehouse before angling your compass towards the river and new Milton micro-brewery and bar Milton Common (if you have time, pop in to The Scratch Bar and Mongrel for some crafty sips). The next step will see you either jump on the CityCat or cross the Go-Between Bridge to West End, where you’ll want to refuel at Ballistic Beer Co.’s Montague Road outpost. Next, make your way into the heart of West End, where charming microbreweries such as The Catchment Brewing Co. and Brisbane Brewing Co. await. Over in Northgate, you can sample the phenomenal one-two punch of Aether Brewing and Fick Brewing Company, turning their neck of the woods into a thriving froth precinct.
Take a trip south
Our southern suburbs are home to some of Brisbane’s best craft-beer brewers, with three in particular making waves in the local scene. Slipstream Brewing Co. in Yeerongpilly concocts a range of hop-forward beers to great acclaim (while food trucks are usually parked on-site for those keen on a feed), while around the corner Helios Brewing Co. is well known for its environmentally sustainable practices and ethically brewed beers. Only a short taxi ride away, Salisbury outfit Ballistic Beer Co. is a spacious open-shed operation that loves to innovate and bring the local community together. What’s not to like?
From semi-pro to professional
The suburbs of East Brisbane and Kangaroo Point are new points of interest when it comes to crafty hubs, but these suburbs-on-the-move are well worth visiting. If you’re looking to make a day of it, start your trek at Brews Brothers Microbrewery and concoct your own batch of ale under the guidance of some expert brewers. Afterwards, make tracks for Semi-Pro Brewing Co. in East Brisbane and kick back with some exceptional ale. Finally, head towards Kangaroo Point and enjoy a sip at one of Brisbane’s newest operations Sea Legs Brewing Co., which is serving a phenomenal range of core beers and delectable American-inspired fare. If you’re keen to linger over on the east side of town, you’ll want to make a pilgrimage to BrewDog’s mammoth brewery and taproom, which boasts 28 taps of fine Scottish ales and a selection of brews from local heroes.
Far and wide
Of course, it’s not just Brisbane’s inner suburbs that boast a bevy of visit-worthy breweries. Gather up the crew and plot a for an afternoon or evening of sudsy fun sipping on Brisbane’s best craft beer. Worthwhile spots include White Lies Brewing in Sumner, Capalaba’s experimental hub Bacchus Brewing Co., Underwood’s Monkey Tree, North Lakes outfit Thirsty Chiefs Brewing Co., All Inn Brewing Co. in Banyo, Four Hearts Brewing in Ipswich, Hub Brewing in Geebung and Brendale Brewing Co.
