5 of the best breweries in Australia
<p>Australia’s developed a reputation as one of the best producers of beer in the world. Hit the road and taste your favourite beers right at the source.</p>
<p><strong>1. Stone & Wood Brewery – Byron Bay, NSW</strong></p>
<p>Stone & Wood’s Pacific Ale was named the best craft beer of 2015 in an annual poll hosted by the Great Australian Beer SpecTAPular (GAPS). You can taste the award-winning brew at the source with a visit to the Stone & Wood brewery in Byron Bay. The brewery was opened in 2008 by three locals with a passion for beer and they’ve since expanded into a second brewery in nearby Murwillumbah. They now use the Byron site for brewing limited release beers, so you could get to taste something very special. Tours run every day but Tuesday and include a tasting of five beers plus a schooner of your favourite.</p>
<p><strong>2. Feral Brewing Co – Swan Valley, WA</strong></p>
<p>Hop Hog from Western Australia’s Feral Brewing Co placed second in the GAPS poll, though it had taken first for the previous three years. The brewery is in the Swan Valley, just outside of Perth, and has an on-site bar and restaurant. Around 16 Feral beers are on tap at any one time, all made using exotic hops, spices and fruits to create unique full-flavoured beers. The restaurant uses fresh local produce and can give suggestions on matching beers to your meal.</p>
<p><strong>3. Little Creatures Brewery – Geelong, VIC</strong></p>
<p>Little Creatures was born in Fremantle, WA, in 2000 but, when space got tight, it expanded across the country to open a brewery in Geelong, Victoria. The brand took over the historic building of the former Valley Worsted textile mill that was built in 1924. Take a tour, have a drink and grab something to eat at the Canteen. The brewery also hosts the Creatures Craft Market every second Sunday with homewares, jewellery, art and baked goods for sale along with music, food and, of course, beer. Little Creatures Pale Ale nabbed the number five spot on the GAPS list and you’ll always find it here on tap.</p>
<p><strong>4. Cascade Brewery Co – Hobart, TAS</strong></p>
<p>Head south to Tasmania and visit Australia’s oldest brewery, Cascade Brewery Co in Hobart. Dating back to 1832 the brewery is an imposing Gothic building that sits next to the Hobart Rivulet, the original source of water for the colony. The tour involves a good dose of history along with the beer appreciation and is followed up with a walk around the stunning heritage Woodstock gardens that stretch for three acres. Our tour entry price comes with four drink tokens, so you can sample a few of your favourites at the end.</p>
<p><strong>5. Knappstein Brewery – Clare Valley, SA</strong></p>
<p>South Australia’s Clare Valley is known for wine, rather than beer, but at Knappstein you can combine the best of both. It’s a microbrewery, winery and cellar door all in one. It’s located in the sandstone building of the original Enterprise Brewery, which opened in 1878. It was restored to its original purpose in 2006 and visitors can now wander through the historic building, see the new brewing machinery and chat with the brewer. The Enterprise Brewery Reserve Lager is fresh, fruity and the perfect drop for summer.</p>
<p>Have you been to any of these breweries? Is there any on the list that we haven’t mentioned that you think we should try? Let us know in the comments below!</p>
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