AUSTRALIA is awash with regional breweries. A road trip using all of a three-month long service leave entitlement would probably barely scratch the surface. But there’s no need to follow the same plan as the main character in the SBS post-apocalyptic comedy, The Last Man on Earth, who journeys through every state in the US looking for fellow survivors of a global virus pandemic, to get a taste of the joys of beer tourism.
Most people think of grapes when talk turns to Mudgee. But the NSW wine region has plenty of beer brewing cred. Crossings Brewery set up shop in 1853 and 30 years later the Federal Brewery opened. The company’s brews were popular in Sydney and Melbourne and sent to Aussie troops during World War II before the brewery closed in 1956. Mudgee Mud was the brand’s signature beer and the legacy of the Imperial Stout lives on at the Mudgee Brewing Company on Church Street.
Gary Leonard is in charge of the brewery, housed in a century-old former wool store formerly owned by the Anglican church. Food is a major focus from the gourmet pizzas to mains such as crispy pork belly with fried potatoes and greens in Mudgee Mud syrup and IPA and Honey Beef Ribs with corn bean salad.
Even if you are a lager fan, it’s a good idea to take a sip or two of the new generation Mudgee Mud – rich and smooth with aniseed and licorice undertones. Other top brews include Mudgee Pale Ale, Mudgee Wheat, Black IPA and Smokey Red, a hoppy red ale with a smoky whisky overtone.
Also, in the heart of another region more noted for its wine – the Mornington Peninsula – Red Hill Brewery even offers smartly upscale accommodation. The three-bedroom Brewer’s Cottage is just a few seconds walk from the brewery and features a gourmet kitchen to cook up the produce from local providores, an open fire, barbeque area and a kids’ playground. Billing itself as the Mornington’s original micro-brewery, Red Hill Brewery also offers great burgers such as the Korean fried chicken burger and the haloumi burger.
The farmhouse-style cellar door serves up a wide range of core beers and seasonal specials, including Kolsch Golden Ale, Scotch Ale Wee Heavy and East Coast IPA with Hibiscus Flavours. If you book a stay at the Brewer’s Cottage, you can join the brewers for Friday afternoon drinks.
Wilkadene Station in Murtho boasts South Australia’s only brewery with a Murray River view – the Woolshed Brewery. It’s also the Riverland’s first and only brewery. As at Red Hill, the plush accommodation is a major drawcard. Wilkadene Cottage has three queen bedrooms, a tennis court, wood fire heater and sleek kitchen set amid three acres of verdant gardens. Or why not book one of the three luxury houseboats – the Amazon Star, Outback Star and Elly Mae – which rightfully live up to the claim of having the comforts of a 5-star hotel.
The Woolshed Brewery is located in a 100-year-old shearing shed, where “friendly, well-behaved dogs are welcome”. Take in panoramic views of the Murray as you enjoy a Summer Ale, an Australian Blonde Ale, Amazon Ale or Judas the Dark, a true Aussie dark ale flavoured with roast wattleseed. There are also some trendy choices such as Hard Lemonade and Rude Ruby, a refreshing grape and ruby grapefruit blend.
The tagline of Matso’s Brewery is irresistible – Escape the Ordinary – and it certainly lives up to the idea in its self-styled role as “Australia’s most remote brewery since 1997”. Located in Broome in WA, there’s no argument there. But being away from it all has sparked creativity, rather than dampened it.
Martin and Kim Peirson-Jones took over the brewery in 2000 and have become major spruikers of their unbeatable surroundings. The custom-designed brewery in the old Union Bank building also dishes up great food from breakfast to dinner, starting with early morning delights such as khichari and grilled salmon with quinoa and avocado to Kimberley Kebabs, crocodile and kangaroo skewers, roti bread, mint coriander chutney and sour cream chili dip.
Everything Matso’s does reflects Broome’s tropical setting and multicultural history. Take in the great views over Roebuck Bay as you drink a chili ginger or mango beer or hard lemon, orange, melon and berry. Brewery exclusives include Hit the Toad, a crisp lager inspired by the battle against the cane toad, the biggest threat to local wildlife, and Bishop’s Best, a Bavarian dark lager with caramel, toffee and coffee overtones and a bitter finish.
Across the road, you can stay in the Moonlight Bay Suites, which is operated by Martin and Kim and close to the town’s shops and key attractions like the Pearl Luggers and the historic Sun Picture Theatre. Book one of the one-to-two-bedroom apartments with views over Roebuck Bay and enjoy a treatment at the on-site spa – Coco Beauty Broome.
If you are holidaying on the Gold Coast, make time for a trip to Burleigh Brewing Co. Brennan and Peta Fielding set up shop in 2006, but their expertise dates back to the mid-90s when Brennan signed up for his first professional brewing job in Hawaii. The couple went on to become partners in Brew Moon in Waikiki before moving to the Gold Coast in the early Noughties.
Burleigh Brewing has won 27 world gold medals for their craft brews and Brennan can take you through a two-hour, all-access tour of the state-of-the-art brewery for only $50. At the Taphouse, Burleigh Eats by The Oak Cafe provides the food with suggested beer accompaniments from open chicken gyros with Burleigh Blonde Lager to the Cubano Sandwich with Burleigh Twisted Palm Tropical Pale Ale. Other brews to sample include the 28 Pale Ale, Black Giraffe Black Coffee Lager, Fig Jam IPA and Mid-Tide, a 3% ABV ale if you are limiting your alcohol intake.