Home to the refreshing Byron Bay Ale, this boutique brewery celebrates the sweet Byron Bay moments – an afternoon surf, a live music gig and beer shared with mates. Their Adelaide Hills brewery is all about transparency and sustainability – the beers are brewed onsite.
SABCo was bought by New Zealand’s Lion Nathan in 1993 and then taken over by Kirin of Japan in 2009. They now produce Coopers lager.
Clare Valley Brewing
Wine lovers should set aside a day to visit the wineries of Clare Valley. Wander the vineyards at Jeanneret and sample charismatic wines from local producers, then settle in for a gourmet picnic at Skillogalee, Terroir Auburn or Pikes Wines and take in the sweeping valley views.
The wineries of Clare Valley are also home to one of the region’s newest independent breweries, CVBC, who believe that the very essence of the valley is contained within their beer. Their brews are made with water drawn from the natural aquifer below the brewery and they’re all about good times spent with friends (even furry ones).
A little further up the coast, Stone & Wood believe in those sweet Byron Bay moments: afternoon surf, a gig and a chilled beer shared with mates. Embrace the minimalist surf chic at this converted warehouse-style taproom and try eccentric flavours like their Peach N’ Plum Sour Ale or Cognac Barrel Aged Double IPA.
Langhorne Creek Brewing
The Langhorne Creek wine region is well known for its wines but now they’re making beer too! The region’s first craft beer label is called Meechi Brewing Company. It was started by mates Matt Schmidt and Ben Potts (both winemakers) who combined their love of wine with their thirst for cleansing ale. During countless research and development missions, barbecues and long lunches Meechi was born.
The beer recipes are created in 50 litre batches and extensive testing is carried out on family members and friends before the brews are replicated at a larger scale for everyone to enjoy. You can find their Summer Session Ale and Peninsula Pale at various points of sale including bars, restaurants and bottle shops.
Every purchase of a Gipsie Jack can help our friends at Monarto Safari Park and Zoos SA protect one of the world’s most endangered mammals, the African Painted Dog. Support their ‘Grapes for Good’ campaign.
Meechi Brewing
Located in the heart of Langhorne Creek Meechi Brewing is the region’s first craft beer label. Founded by mates Matt Schmidt and Ben Potts and their wives, the brewery is named after the Aboriginal name for the river Bremer that flows through Langhorne Creek and into Lake Alexandrina.
Taking things seriously but not too much, the brewery produces an impressive line-up that pays tribute to the South Australia coastline. Their range includes Welease Wodger (summer wheat beer), King Kong Stout, Bulls Eye APA and Monkey’s Uncle Red Ale.
A converted shearing shed overlooking panoramic views all the way to Cape Jervis is home to one of the Fleurieu Peninsula’s newest craft breweries. Goodieson Brewery is a great spot to hide away for a couple of hours sipping their European-influenced traditional beers and tucking into their delicious beer-food menu.
Watsacowie Brewing Co
Located just a stone’s throw from some of the pristine beaches on Yorke Peninsula, Watsacowie Brewing Co is the region’s first independently owned micro brewery. Occupying a former woolshed on the northern outskirts of Minlaton (agrarian township that was named after a 17-year-old Kelpie), it’s easy to see why this rustic gem has become a destination for beer lovers.
From Scandinavian Stouts to Cowiemelon Gose, the team is bringing new flavours to the table. Brendan’s favourite is the Jazzy Red Ale, a fruity froth that is perfect for balmy summer nights. The bar is topped with Jarrah and Oregon timbers from a 120-year old shearing shed, so you can sip your beer in a relaxed country setting.
Western Ridge Brewing
Despite being in the middle of a wine region, Western Ridge Brewing is proving that beer can stand on its own merits. Its unusual brews – aptly named with entertaining names like the Kaiser’s Choice Hefeweizen – draw in crowds. Pair with Japanese spiced squid or wood-fired pizza to experience this Perth brewery at its best.
Petition Beer Corner is one of Australia’s coolest beer bars. With a huge space and high ceilings, this bar offers 20 taps of mostly Western Australian brews. Grab a tasting paddle and enjoy everything from a crisp lager to a hazy IPA. You can also soak up live music, comedy and more here, all in the heart of Leederville.
The Wheatsheaf Hotel
The Wheatsheaf Hotel in the town of Cedar boasts its own pub where guests can tuck into hearty country-style food and drink. Whether it’s the ‘Humpback Pale Ale’, ‘Kitten 9 Tails’ or ‘Fish Tale Pilsener’ you can enjoy these local beers in their cosy cellar door alongside a plate of pub fare.
The Big Shed Brewing Company is home to the brewery’s 10 hectolitre brewing kit and also features a bar serving their core range of beers. You’ll find a mix of local beer lovers and guests enjoying the cosy environment. It is the perfect spot for after work drinks.
Smiling Samoyed Brewery
Smiling Samoyed Brewery on Hansen Street in Myponga is family friendly, dog friendly and beer garden friendly. Its namesakes Hoppy and Kent act as the mascots for this microbrewery that has been pulling in the crowds since it opened in 2012. Their original 12 Paws Pale Ale and beautifully crafted range of ales have been a favourite at the Fleurieu Beer Festival and their brewery beers are available in venues across the state.
The fit out at Bond Store is modern industrial, designed to encourage interaction between customers. They have twelve taps which include their current brews and guest taps serving other South Australian craft beers. It’s a great place to grab lunch or enjoy a drink with friends. They also have live music on weekends. Visit their website for more information. They are open Wednesday to Sunday.
Big Shed Brewing Co
The co-owners of Big Shed Brewing Co, Jason Harris and Craig Basford, started their brewing venture in a shed on a rented property in the Barossa. Since then, they’ve turned their shed dream into a thriving business that offers some of the country’s best craft beers in an honest establishment where pretension is left at the door.
Recently, they opened a purpose-built brewery and bar on Old Port Road in Royal Park. Here they can entertain more guests with their brews, such as Kol Schisel Australian Pale Ale, Californicator West Coast IPA and Golden Stout Time – the toffee and honeycomb-infused desert stout that won them 2018’s GABS People’s Choice award.
The move to bigger premises means they can also produce more of their colourful favourites such as Boozy Fruit NEIPA. However, in March they were forced to recall a batch of the beer due to secondary fermentation.
Bond Store
A brewery, taproom and kitchen on a gorgeous 84-hectare property north of Nairne, Bond Store is the home of beer, cider and gin maker Mismatch Brewing Co. Their brews are all made on-site, with a strong focus on sustainability and local ingredients.
Established in 2008, this family-owned and dog-friendly brewery, bar and restaurant is all about brewers Dan and Owen’s passion for creating a range of beers that are full of remarkable flavours without any preservatives. Their award-winning beers include the “welcome stranger” fruity hazy pale and their Good Folk floral lager.
A brewery overlooking the river, Wilkadene Station’s Woolshed Brewery is a great place to spend an hour or afternoon sipping a few beers whilst taking in the stunning view. The brewery is also a working farm that grows its own barley, which it uses to brew their beers.
Mismatch Brewing Co
It might not sound like the smartest idea to bring together a bunch of seemingly mismatched industry professionals and beverage specialists, but when you see what Mismatch Brewing Company has become today you’d have to agree that those folks knew what they were doing.
Their beers – including the Champion Independent Beer of 2018 for their Lager and a string of awards for their Pale Ale – demonstrate they’re more than just an ambitious bunch with grand visions, balancing broad appeal with high-quality products.
Their massive shed at Lot 100 is home to their 35hL brewhouse, fermenters and lab as well as one of the biggest cool-rooms in the state and a canning line. It’s also where their sister operation Adelaide Hills Cider is based, with both businesses a common sight at South Australia’s bars and events.