Your Shout Next: Australia’s Best Breweries by State

Beer is everywhere in Australia – but there’s nothing quite like drinking it fresh from the tank and enjoying a frothy right where it was brewed.

With over 500 breweries scattered across the country, there is, quite literally, something new to taste around every corner. So for those who appreciate an ale, love a lager, prefer a pilsner or savour a sour: here is our pick of Australia’s best breweries by state. 

Best Breweries in Queensland

Balter Brewing Company

Balter Brewing Company, rooted in the universal tradition of ending the day with a toast, is swiftly gaining recognition as one of Australia’s premier boutique beer brands. Established by ‘six Aussies and a Yank’, and led by an award-winning brewer, their inaugural XPA flew off shelves, selling out within its first weekend. Operating Wednesday through Sunday, the Currumbin-based brewery offers A$5 tins and tacos every Thursday from Zicatela, and hosts regular ‘World Tinnie Hurling’ competitions, making Balter Brewing Company the ultimate afternoon retreat. Tempt your tastebuds with exclusive beer samples before enjoying a pint of XPA, strong pale ale or IPA, all within a 30-minute drive from Qube Broadbeach.

Felons Brewing Co. 

Lying underneath the iconic Story Bridge, Felons Brewery lets you laze into the leisurely life that Brisbane is known for. Drinking a beer fresh from a 5,000-litre tank is unmatched; find a perch along the sparkle of the river and you’ve got the makings of a perfect afternoon. Whether you prefer to sample the five-time gold-medal-winning Crisp Larger, the tropical Australian Ale or a hoppy natural ale, you’ll be happy to know that the brewery champions homegrown flavours. Immerse yourself further with a brewery tour, strike up a conversation with a brewer or listen to the hum of the canning line, plus Rydges South Bank Brisbane is only a 10-minute drive away. 

Hemingway’s Brewery, Cairns & Port Douglas

Relaxing by the waterfront in Cairns and Port Douglas, Hemingway’s Brewery was born from the shared desire of two friends to relive their Great Barrier Reef adventures over local beers. Join their journey and enjoy a celebrated selection, including two gold medalists from AIBA 2024, the world’s largest annual beer competition: the refreshing 7th Heaven Tropical Ale and the richly flavourful Pitchfork Betty’s. Best of all, Pullman Reef Hotel Casino is only a three-minute saunter away from Hemingway’s Brewery in Cairns. 

Best Breweries in New South Wales

Young Henrys Brewery 

Like most good stories, Young Henrys started over a cold one in 2012. Since then, the team have been pouring brews that are best served loud – with names like Rolling Stone the Unifier, Motorcycle Oil and Newtowner. Housed in a warehouse a few blocks from Enmore Road, Young Henrys knows how to show Newtown locals a good time with Brewers B-Side Series on tap and barmen boasting glorious beards. This rock ‘n’ roll attitude is worn proudly throughout the brewery, where electric guitars hang off the walls, old amplifiers blast classics and international bands frequent the stools closest to the taps. Base yourself at Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney, just a 15-minute drive away. 

Stone & Wood Brewing Co

Stone & Wood’s Original Pacific Ale originated in 2008 when three friends aimed to capture the essence of summertime in a brew. This not only pioneered a new beer category in Australia but also transformed the brewery into one of the nation’s most iconic craft beer brands. Visit the headquarters, located at the Byron Bay Arts and Industry Estate, and explore a variety of beers, including the core range, experimental pilot styles and one-of-a-kind creations. Feeling peckish? The team at 100 Mile Table offers a rotating menu that highlights Northern Rivers produce. This cosy spot is a perfect place for a pitstop on a road trip to Australia’s east coast, otherwise spend the night at Crystalbrook Byron Bay only 10 minutes away. 

Best Breweries in the Australian Capital Territory 

Capital Brewing Co

If you had to cast your vote for a good beer in the Australian Capital Territory, the tinnies, paddles and pints at Capital Brewing Co would be it. Politics is a thirsty business, and you’ll find plenty of good-natured brews at this Fyshwick brewery – just a 15-minute drive from QT Canberra. Drawing inspiration from San Diego’s craft beer scene, this brewery crafts bold, hop-forward beers that vividly depict Canberra and its surroundings on each label. Take a swig of Hazed & Enthused pale ale, sip a Heart of Glass Sour Belgian Blondie and get your kicks with a pint of Ethereal Thrills imperial pilsner. 

Best Breweries in Victoria 

Moon Dog Craft Brewery

Is this the ultimate playground for beer lovers? Dubbed Moon Dog World, this tropical craft beer oasis is one of the most outrageous breweries in Australia. Built into an old warehouse in Preston, on a site that’s longer end-to-end than the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the jungle-themed venue features 72 beer taps, a waterfall, lagoon, hidden tiki bar, retractable roof, 100 hectolitre brewery and much more. Something of an adult theme park, its large retro-styled neon entrance sign bathes the neighbourhood in pink and green as the sun sinks, beckoning locals in for a hard-earned beer. Once your thirst is quenched, spend the night at The Interlude, a luxurious, experimental stay in a former prison, just a 15-minute drive away.

Bodriggy Brewing

In an old LP gas warehouse on Abbotsford’s Johnston Street, you’ll find Bodriggy Brewing and its 64 taps pouring wine, cocktails and craft beer. To pair with your beer paddle, dine on Latin American fare. Try the taco de pescado, where a copious heaping of coleslaw and salsa roja lies on smoked fish, or the Bife Angosto, a charcoal grilled porterhouse lying next to Peruvian potatoes tossed in a bright chimichurri. Once you’re full, head upstairs to Stingrays to dance into the night under a disco ball. This brewpub is just a 10-minute train ride from Melbourne’s CBD. 

Best Breweries in Western Australia

Matso’s Broome Brewery

It is easy to overlook Western Australia when thinking of craft beer – but interestingly, the trend for tasty brews began here some three decades ago. In 1997, Matso’s Broome Brewery joined the party. Since opening in the tropical paradise of Broome, its frequently fruity and deliciously infused beers have reflected the ingredients and stunning natural landscape the Kimberley is famed for. Here, at the most remote brewery in Australia, a fresh ginger or mango beer goes down a treat. For those who like it hot, a chilli beer is the perfect refreshment. Take a 10-minute balmy evening stroll along the oceanfront and you’ll soon arrive at Oaks Broome Hotel.

Little Creatures

In a previous life, the Little Creatures building served as storage for yachts during Australia’s 1987 America’s Cup regatta and housed crocodiles as part of the famous Fremantle Crocodile Park. Since installing brewery tanks in 2000, Little Creatures has continuously produced Little Creatures Pale Ale, establishing itself as a staple in bars and pubs across the country. Rounding out their core range is the Pacific Ale (soft-fizz, passionfruit, dry), Hazy IPA (cloudy, juicy, tropical) and Little Hazy (apricot, peach, melon), plus a slew of seasonal brews, single batches and exclusive drops. Perth is just a 25-minute train journey away, making it the perfect day trip.

Best Breweries in South Australia

Pirate Life

Who needs rum when you can live your best pirate life at Port Adelaide’s Pirate Life, an enormous craft brewery hidden within the historic Dalgety Woolstores? This vast 10,000 square-metre space has a 20-metre-long bar, where 24 taps pour picture-perfect pints of easy ale, OG stout and mosaic single-hop IPA. Outside, the expansive courtyard is the perfect place to enjoy a tasting paddle (or two), while the OG Food Truck is on hand to combat hunger. On weekends, the Firepit is lit and sizzling with local, flame-grilled produce. This is what we call the perfect way to spend an afternoon. 

Best Breweries in Tasmania

Cascade Brewery

Step inside Australia’s oldest operating brewery at Cascade, nestled in the foothills of South Hobart, beneath Mount Wellington. Proudly local and fiercely passionate about all things Tassie, Cascade throws open the doors to its heritage beer garden seven days a week to serve visitors and locals a taste of the state’s incredible food – and their wonderful beer, of course. The list of brewery-fresh beers on tap is extensive, delighting everyone from pale ale fans to stout enthusiasts. Grab a tasting paddle for a well-rounded experience and line your stomach with the Taste of Tassie plate, featuring smoked wallaby, pale ale-glazed ham, salmon rillettes and more, before turning in for the night at RACV Hobart Hotel, only a 10-minute drive from the brewery. 

Best Breweries in Northern Territory

Beaver Brewery 

Family-owned Beaver Brewery in Darwin promises hops enthusiasts a genuine micro-brewery experience. After 10 years of research, the Brown family established Beaver Brewery in 2017, crafting handmade beer inspired by the Northern Territory’s best and freshest ingredients. Maybe you’d like to try a Consultant, an American pale ale made with Australian hops? Or perhaps you’d prefer a taste of the Boofhead lager, named after the family’s close friend and cousin. To top off the experience, treat yourself to a stay at the Rydges Darwin Central, less than a 15-minute drive from the brewery.

Looking for more inspiration? Discover the best wineries, breweries and distilleries in Melbourne.

Featured image: Cascade Brewery