Lip-Smacking Craft Breweries in Brisbane
Visit these breweries in Brisbane and take your taste buds on a hoppy journey through Queensland’s capital city. Travelling by wheels, boat or foot, here are the best ways to visit Brisbane for beer lovers.
Queensland might not be as famous for wineries as the southern states, but we more than make up for it with a first-rate range of breweries. In the past six years, the scene has transformed from solely the iconic XXXX Brewery to over 15 breweries around the Brisbane CBD.
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Whether you’re a beer aficionado planning your trip for the purpose of sampling award-winning brews or you’re just keen to add a few taprooms to your itinerary, this guide will help you easily navigate Brissie’s brewing landscape.
Plan your visit to Queensland’s winery regions of Childers and Stanthorpe.
8 breweries and craft beer bars in Brisbane to visit on foot
Search for breweries on Google Maps and it might be a struggle to know where to start. Luckily, many of the tap houses are clustered together, meaning you can create your own craft beer brewery tour. Here are a couple of suggested routes:
- West End and South Brisbane (2.3 kilometres): Ballistic Brewing West End, and The Charming Squire.
- Kangaroo Point, Tenerife, and Newstead (2.6 kilometres): Felons Brewing Co, Green Beacon, Newstead Brewing Co, and Range.
Brisbane Brewing Company (West End)
The next stop is just a couple of steps down Boundary Street at the West End location of the Brisbane Brewing Company. This is one of two locations with the second in Woolloongabba.
Set further back from the street, tables line the alleyway entrance with outdoor heaters for cooler nights. Once inside, you’ll find a laid back atmosphere to enjoy great-tasting craft beer.
When we visited there were around nine beers on tap and we were able to sample nearly all by sharing two tasting paddles. Four signature beers form the core range, including the award-winning Walker Texas Ranger (Indian Pale Ale), as well as limited-edition releases.
Where: 124 Boundary Street, West End
When: Open Monday to Thursday from 3pm to 11pm, Friday and Saturday from 12pm to 11:30pm, and Sunday from 12 to 11 pm.
Archive Beer Boutique
Continue down Boundary Street towards the city and take the time to look at all the colourful cafes, international cuisines, and quirky boutiques that make this neighbourhood unique. In less than a minute, you’ll find yourself standing in front of Archive Beer Boutique.
Unlike the other mentions on this list, this isn’t a microbrewery, but they do have an impressive 22 draught beer on tap. I have fond memories of coming here with friends and trying different craft beer labels. The archive hosts daily events such as trivia, menu specials, pool competitions, and live music. Plus drag bingo on the first Thursday of every month.
Where: 100 Boundary St, West End
When: 11:30am-Midnight Mon-Thurs, 11:30am-2am Fri-Sat and 11:30am-1am Sun.
Ballistic Beer West End
One of five locations, Ballistic Beer West End, is a ten-minute walk from Boundary Street on Montague Road. We’ve also visited the original Ballistic Beer Co in Salisbury on the Southside and were frequent patrons at the Whitsundays taproom while living in North Queensland.
At Ballistic, you’ll have the opportunity to savour their Hawaiian Haze (Indian Pale Ale) which came in eighth in the GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Beers.
Where: 1/208 Montague Rd, West End QLD 4101
When: Wed-Sat 11:30am-10pm, Sun 11.30am-7pm
The Charming Squire
Crossing the invisible border between West End and South Brisbane to Grey Street, you’ll find your next cold one at The Charming Squire. This tap house is huge, with plenty of seating a view of the working brewery and an open-plan kitchen.
James Squire started brewing beer in Australia in 1787 and now has become a legend, with his story reflected in each of the beer names such as 150 Lashes and The Hop Thief. The largest brewing company on this list, James Squire, has tap rooms across four Australian states, with this venue providing a great atmosphere, food menu, and craft beers.
Where: 3/133 Grey St, South Brisbane QLD 4101
When: Opens at 11am every day closes Midnight Fri-Sat, 11pm Thurs, 10pm Tues-Wed and 9pm Sundays
Felons Brewing Co.
Felons have by far the most magnificent views to accompany a cold one. Situated in Howard Smith Wharves, the outdoor deck seating looks out over the Brisbane River and Story Bridge. The name comes from four real-life felons who washed up on Moreton Island in 1823.
Fast forward to the present day, and you’ll find merry groups of people sitting in the sun and clinking glasses together with the Brisbane skyline as a backdrop. Felons are pouring beers seven days a week and running daily brewery tours. This is a brilliant spot for lunch or dinner and you can book a table online.
From here you can choose to cross the Story Bridge to Kangaroo Point, then continue your self-guided brewery tour with Sea Legs Brewing, Easy Times Brewing Company and Black Hops East Brisbane. Or stick to the same side of the river to check out some of my favourite breweries in Tenerife.
Where: 5 Boundary St, Brisbane City
When: 11am-midnight every day
Green Beacon Brewing
Welcome to the Bermuda Triangle of three brewpubs less than 1 km apart in Tenerife and Newstead. Opening in 2013, this microbrewery is a solid choice and you may have already seen some of their brews on tap at bars or in cans at your local bottle shop. Green Beacon Brewing has been crowned the Champion Medium Australian Brewery in 2017, 2018, and 2019.
The core range has seven delicious beers with rotating limited releases. From Tuesday to Sunday, there are also food trucks serving up beer food such as tacos and chicken wings.
Where: 26 Helen St, Teneriffe QLD 4005
When: Monday 2pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-11pm, Sun 12pm-10pm
Range Brewing
Another winner of the Champion Australian Independent Small/Medium Brewery in 2020, Range Brewing, is our top pick for delicious beer in Brisbane. When we visited on a Friday night, it was lively, but it didn’t take long to be seated around a barrel.
The aesthetic is bare bones with wooden stools and steel, to keep the focus on the brews. Range’s sourdough pizza is the perfect companion food to wash down with a cold pint of beer.
Where: 4 Byres St, Newstead QLD 4006
When: Wed-Thur 3pm-10pm, Fri-Sat Noon-11pm, Sun 12-8pm.
3 best breweries in the Brisbane Suburbs
- Aether Brewing on Brisbane’s Northside: The taproom is open 3-7pm on Friday and 12-7pm on the weekend. You will find it at 340 Melton Rd, Northgate and accessible by train from the inner city.
- Bacchus Brewing Company on Brisbane’s Bayside: The brewery and bar is open seven days a week with food trucks from Thursday to Sunday. It’s at 2 Christine Place, Capalaba. There is a bus that runs from the city.
- Slipstream Brewing Company on Brisbane’s Southside: Open from Wednesday to Sunday with 20 brews and a tasty menu. Slipstream is at 94 Wilkie St, Yeerongpilly QLD 4105 and easily reached by train.
Brisbane Brewery Tours
If you don’t have much time and want to see and drink as many brews as possible, then consider taking a tour.
Brisbane Brewery Tour
Based at the heritage-listed XXXX Brewery in Milton, this 90-minute tour takes you through 136 years of Queensland brewing history. Follow your guide through the working brewery, see the raw ingredients behind the recipe, and find out how the brand got its name.
The tour wraps up in the Brewery Restaurant, where you’ll taste a couple of freshly poured beers straight from the tap. Flat enclosed shoes are required and photo ID is essential for the tasting session.
At A$41 per person with free cancellation up to 24 hours before, it’s a solid way to spend a morning or afternoon in Brisbane’s inner west.
We hope you enjoy visiting these Brisbane Breweries and finding your new favourite.
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About the Author: Chantell Collins is a Pinterest Advertising Consultant, eco enthusiast, and occasional Travel Writer. Her work has been featured in Skyscanner, Yahoo, MSN, and many more. After living abroad for almost ten years, she’s renewing her affection for Australia through slow travel.