The craft breweries near Brisbane (and in the city) well worth a visit

Perched on the Brisbane River under the iconic Story Bridge at Howard Smith Wharves dining precinct sits Felons Brewing Co. Popular seven days a week, this inner-city brewery is named in ode to Brisbane’s beginnings. Classic beer is the focus here - find yourself a riverside bench or make way for the grassy knoll to sit back with a Crisp Lager or Australian Pale Ale, joined by the brewery’s pub grub.

Newstead Brewing Co, Newstead and Milton

Sample the goods of one of the first craft breweries near Brisbane at Newstead Brewing Co. Making itself at home in a 1940s steel warehouse on Doggett Street, the beer specialist churns out 100% Brisbane-brewed drink and equally loved pub grub. The combo has proven so popular that Newstead Brewing Co now boasts a second outpost in Milton, neighbouring Suncorp Stadium. Make way for either to sample the core range of nine beers and a cider.

Ballistic Beer Co, West End, Salisbury and Springfield

Want a taste of the laidback, casual cool that embodies Brisbane? Make your way to one of Ballistic Beer’s outposts. The team here brews in small batches so you’re always sipping the freshest, whether you’re a traditionalist having a lager, or experimenting with their innovative range like Sleep When You’re Dead, Hawaiian Haze, or the Twang sours.

For a truly Queensland drop, do good while you drink thanks to Ballistic’s collaboration with Good Beer Co: Great Barrier Beer. 10% of every carton sold helps fund the Australian Marine Conservation Society’s work to protect the Great Barrier Reef from climate change and pollution.

Heading up north to the reef yourself? Be sure to visit Hemingway’s Brewery in Cairns for a taste of the award-winning, refreshingly tropical brews.

Catchment Brewing Co, West End

Pre- or post-meal at one of West End’s many eclectic eateries, grab a beer at The Catchment Brewing Co. The beer house hopes to keep the historic suburb’s brewing tradition alive - West End’s first beer producing began back in 1886. Everything here is done in a nod to Brisbane, with a few members of the core range named in ode to the River City, the Vulture IPA and Hoogley Session included.

Stone & Wood Brewery, Fortitude Valley

One of the most recognised craft breweries near Brisbane is recent Fortitude Valley resident Stone & Wood. The Byron brand has now landed within Brisbane city’s borders, creating a Queensland HQ complete with 150-seat brewpub, and space for beer masterclasses, functions, and a canteen. Visit the industrial space seven days a week to see its eight-hectolitre brewhouse, five fermenters and three serving tanks, with 24 different brews on tap.

BrewDog DogTap, Murarrie

Sit back and admire the neighbouring Brisbane River with cold craft beer in hand at the BrewDog DogTap in Murarrie. The first Australian outpost of the Scottish beer brand is an ambitious one - a brewing facility combined with a 420-seat bar and bistro. There are 28 beers on tap here, including BrewDog’s adored Punk IPA, Dead Pony Club Pale Ale and the Zombie Cake Chocolate Porter, joined by eight taps adopted by guest brewers like Balter and Range Brewing among others.

Near Brisbane

4 Hearts Brewery, Ipswich

Sip on Ipswich’s finest beer at the popular 4 Heart Brewery housed in the historic former Technical College, not far from Brisbane’s outskirts. The Pumpyard Bar sitting within the city’s first brewery is a space devoted to the sampling of the specialty creations, each crafted without any preservatives, chemicals, or artificial flavours. Grab a paddle to try the likes of the Ipswich Challenger, which boasts the innovative notes of mandarin and green tea.

Scenic Rim Brewery, Mount Alford

History and booze intertwine in the picturesque Scenic Rim, an hour and a half’s drive from Brisbane. It’s here you’ll find Mount Alford and the picturesque Scenic Rim Brewery. The Boonah bar sits within a historic abode, and produces five craft brews on tap named after locals - sip on the Fat man or Shazza, The Digger, or the Ginger Extra Dry. That’s not mentioning the home brewed cider or shandy.

Even better, you can turn your visit into a gourmet food tour of the region. 

Eumundi Brewery, Sunshine Coast

After a weekend exploring the beaches of the Sunshine Coast, make way for the Hinterland where Eumundi resides. While much loved for its weekly Markets, this quaint country town is now also host to local beer enthusiasts Eumundi Brewery which pours from taps at the historic Imperial Hotel. While born back in 1988 the beer itself went on hiatus until a new partnership with Lion helped to revive the local lager, which was developed by some of the best in the business.

Ocean View Estates, Mount Mee

You may be surprised to find another of Queensland’s best craft breweries in the midst of a vineyard in Mount Mee. But it’s in these mountain ranges overlooking Moreton Bay where Ocean View Estates sits. One of Australia’s only head brewers Hannah Honnef is behind the brew here, creating six boutique brews, including one intended especially for the gluten intolerant.

Brouhaha, Maleny

Amongst the Sunshine Coast Hinterland’s many producers you’ll find Brouhaha Brewery. Nuzzling the rolling hills of popular getaway destination Maleny, the craft specialist uses only local ingredients where possible to create its army of intriguing beers. Drop in to the brewery for a pint of its classic IPA, or branch out with one of the creative takes on beer available, including the much loved Cherry Sour.

Land & Sea Brewery, Noosa

After a morning’s surf at one of Noosa’s famed beaches, refresh yourself with a beer at the coastal region’s first craft brewery, Land & Sea Brewery. The vibrant  Noosaville resident’s postcard-perfect hometown has heavily inspired the brews available which boast a rotating line-up of beverages including the Queensland-inspired Mango Sour, First Point Pale Ale, and the Thomas Lager, created in a collaboration with fellow local Thomas Surfboards

4 Brothers Brewing, Toowoomba

Enjoy your craft beer from new heights up in the Great Dividing Range where 4 Brothers Brewing resides. The Toowoomba-based independent brewery is (as its name suggests) a family affair that began back in 2017. There are year-round and seasonal beers both, many named in ode to the district - visit for a chance to sip on the Country Pumpkin, a pumpkin-infused ale, or the Fat Hefe, a traditional Hefeweizen.

Looking for more craft beer in Queensland? Check out the best breweries on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.