17 Sunshine Coast craft beer breweries you need to visit

The conception of Your Mates Brewing Co. is a hero story if we’ve ever heard one.

Launching out of their shed in Moffat Beach, self-taught co-owners Matt and Christen blew up the local craft beer scene in September 2015 with their flagship brew, Your Mates Pale Ale (also known as Larry, because beer should make you happy as Larry). With four distinct characters each matching its own brew, you won’t have a hard time deciphering which is the can for you. They now have a dark ale by the name of Donnie, a Lager named Macca and an Indian Pale Ale called Sally.

Find Larry, Donnie, Macca and Sally at bottle shops near you. Not content to sit around, they have also been busy canning their product to make it more readily available at retail outlets across South East Queensland. You can go straight to the source by visiting their industrial shed brewery on Tuesday-Sunday till late.

Where: 41 Technology Drive, Warana

When: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday: 11am – 9pm. Fridays and Saturdays: 11am – 11pm

Moffat Beach Brewing Co.

Moffat Beach Brewing Co. is a cool, calm and casual beachside microbrewery masquerading as a cafe. But a glimpse of the barrels and kettles down the back, and you know there’s some serious brewing magic going down. These guys serve up 12 beers on rotation in their six-tap bar, made from scratch with no preservatives. Rely on crowd favourites – the easy-drinking Deadbeat Boyfriend Cream Ale and Iggy Hop Double IPA – or go rogue and sample all their interesting flavours like the Bounty Coconut Stout and Citrus IPA.

If you need any more reasons to head on down to Moffat Beach Brewing Co; they won the Independent Brewers Association award for the best small brewery in all of Australia in 2018 and were awarded the Champion Medium/Small Brewery award in 2021 at the Independent Beer Awards Aus. So head there for a cold one or drop in on a Friday to Sunday night for some live tunes and tapas-style share plates.

Where: 12 Seaview Terrace, Moffat Beach, Caloundra

When: Monday 6.30am – 5pm and Tuesday to Sunday 6.30am – 10pm 

Brouhaha Brewery

Nestled in quaint Maleny, this microbrewery puts on a show, with industrial-styled black and timber decor and a massive menu packed with flavour to complement their brews.

Brouhaha Brewery and Restaurant embraces community, a slower pace and fresh local produce in how they brew their craft beer and create their seasonal dining menu. Their core range of beers have been carefully crafted to tempt beer drinkers to start a journey with craft brewing and encourage people to drink better beer.

Each week you can expect to find something new. Their Raspberry Saison is the perfect gateway for non-beer drinkers, as is the Milk Stout with hints of coffee. Traditionalists will like the smooth and fruity New Zealand Pale Ale and split-batched Saison with flavours of pear and apple. Keep an eye on their seasonal and limited releases like a Smoky Cherry Sour and Black IPA.

Ingredients are sourced locally from Falls Farm and Good Harvest Organics, and we recommend tucking into the stone baked pizzas and spanner crab soft tacos.

Where: 5-6/39 Coral Street, Maleny

When: Thursday 6pm - 9pm; Friday to Saturday 11am - 9pm and Sunday 11am - 5pm

10 Toes Brewery

The husband and wife duo behind 10 Toes Brewery in Alexandra Headland keep things simple and relaxed, just like the Sunshine Coast lifestyle. You’ll understand once you see their open-plan brewhouse and tasting room, housed in a custom-designed industrial shed so they could minimise their carbon footprint and water consumption. Our heroes.

You’ll find their signature brews on tap all year round, plus seasonal specials. If you’re unsure of where to start, grab a tasting paddle and work your way from light to dark. Start with the crisp finish of the Happy Days IPA, then the bold and tropical Pipeline Pale Ale and lastly the deep-hued Rye Amber. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the choc cherry Oatmeal Stout.

Come between Friday and Sunday afternoons where there’s a lineup of local food trucks on standby, complete with live tunes.

Where: 4/127a Sugar Road, Alexandra Headland

When: Wednesday and Thursday 3pm-7pm; Friday 2pm-9pm; Saturday 12pm-8pm; Sunday 12pm-7pm

Sunshine Brewery

While you can sip the beers from Eco Brewing Co at a few pubs around the Sunshine Coast, we highly recommend a visit thanks to its unique location. You’ll find this brewery nestled into Habitat Noosa Everglades Eco Camp, on the shores of Lake Cootharaba outside Noosa. In other words, you can head out to see one of only two everglades eco-systems in the world in the morning, then return and pull up a barstool for a pint right where the boat pulled in.

The beers go down a treat, whether you’re sipping the amber ale, XPA, bock or pilsner. But the humble team here say it’s all in the water; which comes from the Great Sandy mass aquifer. This water filters through sand and gravel for over 75 years before reaching habitat. It’s then blended with high gravity wort, yeast and hops from around the world to create a 100% natural beer, free of preservatives, additives or flavours.

Where: Lake Flat Rd, Elanda Point QLD 4565

When: From 11am daily

Sunshine Coast Brewery

There’s a reason why the Sunshine Coast Brewery is one of the longest-standing microbreweries in Queensland – and it has something to do with their handcrafted, flavorful award-winning brews. Founded in 1998, the brewery’s initial focus was making fine ginger beer, and while you can still get a pint of their Ginger Keg (made with local ginger) it’s their lineup of craft beers which has ensured their continuing popularity.

Their brews are iconic and they have the metal to show for it. They were awarded two gold medals for their Sunshine Coast Summer Ale and the Sunshine Coast Dunkel Weizen at the 2009 AIBA as well as two silver and two bronze medals.

Choosing to brew based on the needs of their drinkers, they’ve got a diverse range on tap from their lighter Low Tide Golden Ale through to their British-style Best Bitter and mid-strength Summer Ale. Fancy yourself the adventurous type? Go for the tangy Chilli Beer – it packs a fiery bite as it’s brewed with real chillies. Ease the burn with some bites from the local Sunshine Coast food trucks that rotate through every Friday and Saturday at lunchtime.

Where: 4/13 Endeavour Drive, Kunda Park, Maroochydore

When: Tuesday to Wednesday 11am - 2pm; Thursday 11am - 4pm; Friday 11am-6pm (food available from 11am to 2pm) and Saturday 11am-4pm

Take Away Beer Sales & Keg Hire: Monday to Saturday 10am to 3pm, Friday 10am to 6pm

Land and Sea Brewery

Stepping inside the brewery, straight off the bat you see the care and attention that has gone into the space. Decked out with motorcycles on suspended steel walkways, you’re not only here for a craft brew but an impromptu art show.

Land and Sea has taken a methodical and considered approach to brewing their core range of six beers that include a Kolsch and a Japanese Rice Lager. Their brewery and distillery tours take you into the action where you’ll learn how they produce their special brews. Tours run Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 11:30am till 1pm where you’ll get to enjoy both a craft beer tasting paddle and a fine spirits paddle from Fortune Distillery in Noosa Heads.

Stay for some seriously good eats, where they have “Gourmet Junk” and “Fine Vegan” sides of their menu (including  a vegan ramen). There’s also a doggie treats section for furry friends, so bring everyone along and enjoy a day out in Noosaville.

Where: 19 Venture Drive, Noosaville.

When: Tuesday to Friday 12pm-9pm; Saturday 12pm-10pm; Sunday 12pm-9pm.

Wild Rocket at Misty’s

Wild Rocket at Misty’s is not just a restaurant but a microbrewery, serving a handful of their own in-house brews. Their craft beers include a Montville Smooth Ale, Pilsner on the Edge, Black Jack Stout, Alfies Pale Ale, SEQ IPA, and PB’s Wheat Beer.

Almost everything is made in-house at this fine-dining establishment in Montville – from the brews to the beef sausages, jams, chutneys and bread. Tuck into the Maleny Black Angus Thai beef salad, “The Pastie Pom” ploughman’s lunch or the jalapeño and black bean croquette.

They even provide a courtesy bus for the Montville and Flaxton areas in case you get too excited sampling all their incredible brews.

Where: 142 Main Street, Montville

When: Monday to Thursday 11:30am-2:30pm and 5:30pm-8.30pm; Friday and Saturday 11:30am-2:30pm and 5:30pm-9.30pm; Sunday 11:30am-2:30pm and 5:30pm-8pm

Eumundi Lager at the Imperial Hotel

After a major refurbishment, the Imperial Hotel in Eumundi has something new to celebrate: the reinstallation of their much loved local beer brand Eumundi Lager at the hotel’s new onsite brewery. The lager was first crafted in Eumundi back in 1988. And the hotel, which dates back to 1911, offers one hour Eumundi Brewery Tasting Tours to learn a bit about the craft behind craft brews.

If you’re here on a Saturday for the Eumundi Market, stop in for a refuel and choose from their vast menu – with delights like truffle mushroom arancini or the roasted cauliflower and halloumi tacos – and pair it with their classic pale ale.

It wouldn’t be right if a classic country hotel didn’t offer live music, check their events calendar for upcoming performances and settle in for an afternoon with this classic brew.

Where: 1 Etheridge St, Eumundi

When: 7 days a week from 10am till late

Glass House Brewery

The name embodies the space it’s in: a contemporary, high-ceiling semi-industrial warehouse with glass louvres that let in plenty of light. Glass House believes craft beer brings people together, viewing their home in the heart of the Sunshine Coast as a celebration of the local community.

The beer flows from this on-site brewery – choose from a Session, Pale Ale, Raspberry Sour and Red Ale, or go for a tasting paddle if you’re undecided. Pair it with the locally sourced menu boasting dishes like beef spezzatino and porcini risotto, as well as a wine list and cocktail menu.

Where: 8/330 Mons Rd, Forest Glen

When: Wednesday and Thursday 3:30pm-8pm; Friday 3:30pm-8pm; Saturday 11:30am-8:30pm; Sunday 11:30am-7pm

Please note this venue is currently closed for refurbishment, check the Glass House Brewery website for more information. 

Bonsai Brewhouse

Bonsai Brewhouse is a self-described rustic brewhouse and beer garden, residing in Noosa’s hinterland town of Cooran.

Taking up residence in a heritage listed building, the space sets the mood for a good long tasting session with family and friends. Thrifted with vintage and mismatched items, you immediately feel like you’re in someone’s home. That creativity isn’t left out when it comes to their brews either, experimenting and changing up their flavours regularly.

Their sons’ namesake beers – Archie’s Ale and Layne’s Lager are a special tribute, and the Irish Stout or refreshing Sungazer – made with local ginger, raw honey and organic green tea – are ones to try if you’re feeling adventurous.

They now offer a Gluten Free brew, so there’s something for everyone.

Where: 28 King St, Cooran

When: Thursday 12pm-8pm; Friday and Saturday 12pm-10pm and Sunday 12pm - 8pm

Heads Of Noosa

Heads of Noosa is a proudly Australian, independent and family owned brewery in Noosa.

Beers are inspired by the nearby rocky headlands of Noosa Heads, including the trio of multi award-winning Japanese Lager, Summer Dusk and a Bock to round out the core range. Their brews are stocked in many a location up and down the east coast, use the beer tracker on their website to track one down wherever you are.

Where:  85 Rene St, Noosaville

When: Wednesday and Thursday 11am-6pm; Friday 11am–8pm; Saturday and Sunday 11am-6pm. 

Copperhead Restaurant and Brewery

You’d be forgiven for mistaking Copperhead in Cooroy for a restaurant, given the quality of their food. With a custom built industrial fit out, Copperhead Restaurant and Brewery consider themselves part of the new wave of Brew Pubs – a brewery with a real focus on quality food and beer.

Copperhead doesn’t wholesale their beers, the concept is for consumption on their premises only so they can make their beer without agents or preservatives for 100% pure and unfiltered brews. They aim to have seven regular sessionable beers on tap as well as experimental batches. Try a five-beer tasting paddle which includes an Irish Ale and Coffee Porter.

Serving up a mean scotch egg and Korean chicken burger as part of their weekday lunch specials, and green pea arancini or one of their Turkish style pizzas or share platters are more substantial staples. Their quality extends down the menu right to the dessert section, so leave room for the summer berry trifle, orange polenta cake or double choc brownie.

Where: 52 Kauri St, Cooroy

When: 7 days a week from 11:30am till late

Boiling Pot Brewing Co.

The Craft Beer & Cider Festival on the Sunshine Coast features over 20 of Australia’s best brewers and cideries, handpicked to showcase their favourite brews and latest creations to the Sunshine Coast region's growing craft audience.

Like a giant pop-up gastro-pub there’s an extensive selection of beers available along with food trucks, attractions and live music. The event will be taking place in late 2022, with dates to be announced soon - cheers to that!