Breweries we visit
The craft brewing business has really taken off in South East Queensland and Northern NSW in recent times, and the region now boasts more than half a dozen great breweries. You will visit at least three on a Thirsty Critters tour – which three depends on the tour! If you’re keen on visiting other breweries, such as the Sunshine Coast Brewery, we are more than happy to oblige – just get in touch.
Burleigh Brewing Company
- Burleigh Brewing Co, the home of Duke!
Burleigh Brewing Company are Queensland’s flagship craft brewery. Pumping out fantastic ‘regular’ beers like 78 pale ale, Hef witbier and Bighead low-carb, they also produce acclaimed seasonal beers like Black Giraffe and Fanny Gert’s Bickie Beer. Their beers are now widely available in stores and on tap, but nothing beats a visit to their huge brewhouse, where you can find master brewer Brennan and ‘My Wife’s Bitter’ namesake Peta doing their thing. The brewhouse only opens to the public once a month, but Thirsty Critters tour guests are always welcome!
Stone & Wood Brewery
Stone & Wood Brewery has gone from strength to strength since opening in 2010. Their flagship beer, Pacific Ale, won the 2011 Critics’ Choice Award, and also came #1 in the Hottest 100 Beers of 2011 poll. The accolades are well deserved, with the Brewery run by industry veterans who love what they do. They’re always happy to see Thirsty Critters tour arrive on their door step, so if you want to see where some of the best beer in Australia is lovingly made, get on board.
MT Brewery
The beer garden at MT Brewery
The MT Brewery is part of a very popular and tourist-friendly complex atop Mt Tamborine at Eagle Heights, sitting alongside the excellent Witches Chase Cheese Company and Liquid Amber restaurant. There’s around 7 craft beers on tap at any time, including 2 Belgian ales and the legendary Black Cockatoo dark lager. Their Belgian ‘St Bridget’ dubbel is also highly prized.
Bacchus Brewing Company
Bacchus Brewing is a ‘brew for you’ type operation with a difference – they’re all-grain brewers, meaning your beer is brewed exactly like your favourite craft beer is made. They brew a huge range of beers, many of which are now available at Brisbane’s better beer venues. Friendly proprietor Ross is always happy to take you through his large range of beers, and what better way to try them all than on Thirsty Critters tour!
Byron Bay Brewery
Byron Bay Brewery is located in the old Byron Arts Factory, once also known as The Piggery. The establishment also includes a cinema, restaurant, theatre and huge outdoor beer garden area. The brewery usually has at least 5 beers on tap, including their Byron Ale, Billy Goat dark lager and Broken Head bitter.
Brisbane Brewhouse
The Brisbane Brewhouse is owned and operated by the same beer-loving crew who ran the now-defunct Auroras Brewhouse in the CBD many moons ago. Now sharing a premises with the Clarence Corner Hotel in South Brisbane, the Brisbane Brewhouse range includes their classic Brisbane Pale Ale, Star Lager, Sunshine Honey Wheat and ‘Up Yer Kilt’ Scottish Ale.
