If you’re a beer enthusiast craving a hoppy brew in South-East Queensland, you’re in luck! The region boasts some of the finest local microbreweries on the eastern seaboard, where top artisans trade their craft straight from the source at flagship breweries. Don’t settle for mass-produced swill when you can savour some of the best suds in town at these five must-visit local microbreweries.
From pale ales to stouts, these local microbreweries offer a diverse range of craft beer flavours that will satisfy even the most discerning palate. So, let’s raise a glass to the vibrant craft beer scene in SEQ and explore what these local microbreweries have to offer.
Balter Brewery (Currumbin Waters, Gold Coast)
A craft beer success story, Balter Brewing Company has seen its ever-popular brews proliferate around the state—their minimalistic tinnies are sold at most Aussie bottlos nowadays. But high-scale production hasn’t affected the flavour as their award-winning drops (IPA, Pilsner, and Alt Brown) are as good as ever. Seeking an easy-drinking session beer? Give the XPA a blast—it placed 4th on the Hottest 100 of Australian Beers.
Set inside a refurbed warehouse, the Currumbin HQ offers a chic space to sink piss. Expect welcome sampling sessions, beer vat brewery tours, and funky Instagrammable décor.
Precinct Brewing Company (Miami, Gold Coast)
A Burleigh Heads superstar, Precinct Brewing Co serves a smorgasbord of top-quality suds on tap or through its vibrant, custom-designed cans. Quality locally sourced produce ensures each unique beer hits the spot (give the Hazy IPA a crack).
A former Miami workshop, the venue has been converted into a snazzy contemporary beer hall—think polished concrete, tall ceilings, and chic street art. Its eclectic rotating events roster includes comedy nights, tipsy trivia, and live acoustic tunes, perfect for blowing off the froth with mates.
Stone & Wood Brewery (Fortitude Valley, Brisbane)
Byron Bay’s most celebrated boutique brewery has set up shop in Brisbane. Stone & Wood’s Queensland HQ occupies a redbrick heritage-listed warehouse in Fortitude Valley, with space to seat up to 150 beer-loving punters. In-between ales, take a gander at their epic brewhouse, complete with an eight-hectolitre vat and five fermenters feeding three separate serving tanks.
You’ll find all your favourite Stone & Wood beers on tap (24 in total), plus an experimental array of limited edition creations. The crew serve superb pub food and run a brewery MasterClass for budding beer producers.
Green Beacon Brewing Co. (Teneriffe, Brisbane)
Established in up-and-coming Teneriffe back in 2013, Green Beacon is lighting the way for the River City’s booming craft beer scene. The sleek nautical-themed warehouse venue is a top spot to mingle, with a long chatty bar, dart boards, and food trucks throughout the week.
The team don’t pasteurise their brews, so each malty beverage is exceptionally fresh. Eight impressive options (plus eight more seasonal beers) comprise the signature collection. If you fancy a fruity finish, 7 Bells is an outstanding passion fruit gose. Other highlights include Whaler brew, a blood orange IPA, or the uber-malty Anchor Amber Ale.
Brouhaha (Maleny, Sunshine Coast Hinterland)
High up in the crisp Sunny Coast Hinterlands, this hip artisanal brewery uses locally sourced produce to concoct its impressive range. The creamy Brouhaha IPA is a beloved classic, and there’s plenty of avant-garde options like the citrusy Cherry Sour.
Retro white-tiled walls, polished wood furnishings, and a jungle of hanging vines make this a pleasant spot for a tipple. It’s two blocks from Maleny’s main strip but well worth the detour.
Sink Smooth Suds on a Kiff & Culture Tour
Keen to savour splendid brews while eating gourmet food and making new friends?
Our South East Queensland tours (Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Tamborine Mountain) whisk you between the region’s top hospo haunts. Door-to-door transfers, cruisy tunes, chatty guides, plus fantastic booze and nosh guarantee an unforgettable day out.
