My Year In Beer: Beers, Ideas, Lessons and Visit Tips From 51 Brewery Experiences in 2019

My year in beer for 2019 has come and gone and while I’ve had a very enjoyable year working in beer (have a read of this article here on my experience working in the craft beer industry) I’ve also had a very satisfying time getting out and about to check out as many craft breweries as I can on my travels.

It’s been rewarding to meet the hard-working people behind the breweries and to try and learn as much as I can about the industry as well as just sample their tasty brews as well as try and get more people and my mates into drinking better quality beer and supporting these local Aussie indie brewers and businesses.

The industry has so much positivity and enthusiasm from the talented insiders and passionate fans alike who like me love elements such as the tinnie art, talking to the people at the breweries, traveling for beer tourism and beer road trips, collecting too much beer gear merch, learning about the sustainability and environmental approaches as well as experimenting with all the different and diverse flavours and aromas of the brews while at the same time supporting local Aussie businesses. Honestly, how good does it make you feel!

I quickly thought I’d put a bit of a blog post together that both wraps up my year in beer travels as well as provides some insights, ideas, lessons and also some tips for anyone planning on visiting some of these specific breweries listed below. Please feel free to touch base if you’re after any travel tips for these breweries as I’d be happy to help. Thanks for reading. Enjoy this with a cold brew and bring on 2020.

Key Facts:

51 breweries
49 independent craft breweries
4 states and 1 territory
Queensland 10
Victoria 20
Tasmania 7
Western Australia 7
New South Wales 6
1 Beervana Festival
1 New Zealand brewery
Beers consumed: Lost count.
Best beers: 3 Ravens Pine Lime Creamsicle and T-Bone Brewing Peanut Butter Stout. Too many to list.
Best experiences: Felons for the view, Moon Dog World for the crazy set up, Stomping Ground for the beer notes and unique kids play area and Two Bays for giving me a job! Again, too many to list.

Lessons, Ideas and Insights:

Merch. Some really unique, on-trend and new stuff this year from socks to cord caps, canimals to well-designed growlers and enamel pins to beer vouchers. I wrote this blog a few months back about beer merch too that’s worth a look.
Merch stands. Having a colorful, vibrant, creative merch stand with well-designed merch entices more people to take a souvenir away from the brewery.
Contact details. Ensuring correct times/addresses/key details are always up to date on social pages/websites and use of bots to streamline punter Q’s on social.
Fridges. Vibrant take away fridges with special deals, mixed packs or added incentives for punters.
Glassware. I think Range wins this one for the nicest glassware. Love the glasses there. Goes a long way to have a nice clean glass to enjoy with your brews.
Tasting paddles. Townsville Brewery represented the best value for volume. Also like Fixation, having a funky paddle design to put them in goes a long way too for the social posts.
Venue architecture. Kids spaces, outdoor seating, plants and garden beds, creative taps (Burleigh’s skate deck ones win this) and you can also never go wrong with astroturf- that’s actually one of the tenents I live by in life too. Love the stuff! Stomping Ground’s kids area is a marvelous example of providing a positive experience for families and kids.
Food. The abundance of vegan and GF menu’s in taprooms showcases the inclusive industry this is and draws in more people at the same time. Having the availability of GF beers, spiced ciders, mulled wines, spritz’s, organic or local soft drinks, kombuchas, etc all are smart options to cater to everyone not just beer drinkers.
Tasting notes. Stomping Ground seems the most detailed and I do love seeing extensive notes about the beers I’m drinking.
Signage. Neon signs look amazing at night or on wet days, signs out the front or simple wayfinding and well-lit spaces to attract.
Fan engagement. Live local music, trivia nights, beer memberships/clubs (Inner North’s 100-pint beer club/Range’s run club/ Otherside’s ‘buy a bit of the brewery’), ‘Dogs of Grifter’ also a cute idea to engage the local community. There are so many things these breweries and more are doing and I’ve put this list together and these articles a while back that details more on craft beer fan engagement ideas.
Stickers/Email EDM’s. Burnley’s free stickers for an email sign up. Beer geeks love slapping a sticker on their car or fridge. Just ask me, I’ve got about 50 on the back of my LandCruiser.
Brewery tours. Some good ones around from free quick tours of the tanks to $25 tours which included a paddle. These really are one and the same and honestly what more can these be at any brewery anywhere in the world, but the best ones were where I got to talk to the actual people behind the brewery about pain points, local issues and their successes and lessons learned. Obviously that’s me and other folks just want to hear how beer is made. Just talk to the staff about day to day life in beer and find out what that brewery is doing in the local community.
Freebies/Deals. 3 Ravens have a box of past beer decals and stickers that you can pick up a memento for a buck. Even just having beer coasters goes a long way as I know many mates who take one as a memento.
Sustainability. Loads of sustainability initiatives around the breweries like solar power to bio cups but I like how some offer a free pot or just a beer for bringing back your biopak holders.
Little touches. The hydration water station at Black Hops looks impressive and more than just jugs of water.
Beer tourism. Smart ideas like the Brisbane and Marickville ‘Beermuda Triangles’.
Space. Ample spaces for functions and events with different seating options. Industrial fans when it’s stinking hot or burners when it’s chilly.
Beer lists. Clear and concise signage and layouts for cost, beer style, ABV, small note on taste/flavour makes these pop when the person is standing in line to order and easier for the punter to choose which speeds up the service.
Accessibility/Transport. Moon Dog World’s massive bike rack area that encourages people to ride in was impressive to see.

QUEENSLAND (10)

Range Brewing Co, Newstead, Queensland

Fascinating brewery
Incredible beers
Simple open and airy aesthetic
Knowledgeable and friendly staff
A must visit

Townsville Brewery, Townsville, Queensland

Great value for money for tasting paddle
Lovely old Queensland building to marvel at
Huge range of beers
Lots of art to admire
Great staff who were keen for a chat.

Burleigh Brewing Co, Burleigh, Queensland

The taps are some of the best in Oz. What a creative idea.
Lots of space for all
Live music and movie nights
Surfboard set up is sweet

Black Hops II, Biggera Waters, Queensland

Very nifty ideas here
Hydration station
Biopack return point
Effective signage
Funky tap set up
Great merch area

Semi Pro Brewing Co, Wolloongabba, Queensland

Delicious beers
Cool spot at the Gabba- go here before a Lions or cricket game.
Lots of seating
Kids/family inclusive with good spaces for all
TV’s for the cricket etc
Lovely staff members

Fortitude Brewing Co, Tamborine Mountain, Queensland

Secluded and tranquil brewery
Lots of parking and other attractions nearby like cheese and local produce.
Live music stage set up is cool
Very friendly and passionate staff

Balter Brewing Co, Currumbin, Queensland

Nice wall art
I loved my BEER cap until I lost it!
Coasters and beers all enjoyable.
Friendly staff.

Lost Palms Brewing Co, Miami, Queensland

Love the design and aesthetic of this brewery
Bonus points for giving us some stickers for the car and fridge to promote them
I love their art too.

Felons Brewing Co, Brisbane, Queensland

Location, location, location is the best bit here.
Get a spot overlooking the Brisbane River and grab one of their tasty brews.

Black Hops, Burleigh Heads, Queensland

The OG!
Love their merch range especially the beer socks.

NEW SOUTH WALES (6)

Stone and Wood Brewing Co, Byron Bay, New South Wales

Creative merch area- stands out.
Heaps of space for punters inside and out.

Devil’s Elbow Brewing Co, Dubbo, New South Wales

Brand new brewery
What a win for locals out here
Extensive beer list and tasting notes
Lots of parking and places to sit

Grifter Brewing Co, Marrickville, Sydney, New South Wales

Dogs of Grifter was a highlight as were the beers

Stockade Brewery, Marrickville, Sydney, New South Wales

Sours were mint

Batch Brewing Co, Marrickville, Sydney, New South Wales

Nice glassware
Bonus points for lush hanging trees and nice setting

Sauce Brewing Co, Marrickville, Sydney, New South Wales

Cool setting out the back
Delicious beers here. I was very surprised.

TASMANIA (6)

Hobart Brewing Co, Hobart, Tasmania

Epic dark beers
Cool merch long sleeve shirts
Nice fire areas
Bonus points for spiced hot apple cider

Cascade Brewery, Hobart, Tasmania

Spun the chocolate wheel and won a carton of retro Cascade tinnies. Was a good day.

Moo Brew at MONA, Tasmania

The beer vending machine is hilarious and such a cool concept
Nice setting up the top of MONA to try their beers- was quite cheap too given the location

Shambles Brewing Co, Hobart, Tasmania

Quality staff up for a chat
Great beer list signage
Stout was impressive
Lots of space out the front to chill under a burner

The Winston, Hobart, Tasmania

HUGE beer list
Great beer notes
Pumping atmosphere
Add it to your Tassie list
Friendly staffers

Bruny Island Brewing Co, Bruny Island, Tasmania

Such a nice setting here
Pick up local produce too
Stout was insanely good
Pack the jumpers and head here if visiting Tassie
Loved the tallies.

T-Bone Brewing Co, Hobart, Tasmania

Peanut Butter Stout was simply delicious.
Cool wall art
Funky location in North Hobart
Nice staffers
Cool merch

VICTORIA (19)

Stomping Ground Beer Hall, Melbourne, Victoria

Kids Zone is a clever idea
Extensive beer notes
Very family-friendly and inclusive

Inner North Brewing Co, Brunswick, Victoria

Greenery around the venue is a plus
Nice staff up for a chat
Cool location down a back street in Brunny
Doing impressive beers
Nice beer list signage
Cool 100-pint membership club….I’m still on 3.

Queenscliff Brewhouse, Prickly Moses Brewing, Queenscliff, Victoria

Cheery staff
Pumping atmosphere inside and out the back
Cool barrel display
Nice beer art
Good beer lists

Jetty Road Brewing Co, Dromana, Victoria

Impressive beers AND food! Food is a winner here
Extensive beer art
Happy staffers

Urban Alley Brewing, Docklands, Melbourne, Victoria

A huge line up of brews
Well worth coming here if here for shopping in Docklands or going to an AFL etc game
Staff are always polite and friendly

Salt Brewing Co, Airey’s Inlet, Victoria

Quiet outdoor setting to enjoy
Lots of beer merch and good designs too
Beers were delicious
Extensive beer notes
Staff more than up for a chin wag

Two Bays Brewing Co, Dromana, Victoria

(Disclaimer- I work here but visited as a punter in February before starting out in March)

All gluten-free beers and taproom food
Vegan menu. We came out here because wife is vegan and she was very impressed
Dromana in the Mornington Peninsula is a magnificent 1-hour drive from Melbourne and you can take in a heap of other breweries like Jetty Road, Dainton, Mr Banks, Mornington Peninsula Brewery and loads more.

Valhalla Brewing Co, Geelong, Victoria

Owner is a champion fella and had a good chat with him here
Nice spot in centre of town and an hour from Melbourne or less
Huge beer list

Blackmans Brewery, Torquay, Victoria

Lots of merch
Lots of seating areas
Friendly staff
Yum beers

Southern Bay Brewing Co, Geelong, Victoria

Great chat with the owner
Not open for visits though so not worth rocking up as I did
Not much in this part of town
Black IPA was delicious

Burnley Brewing Co, Melbourne, Victoria

Love the beer socks
Lots of clever merch ideas
Free stickers
Huge beer list
Happy hour $4 beers are incredible
Lots of events here
Quality, happy staffers
Mint glassware

Moon Dog World, Preston, Victoria

Interesting!
Lot of spaces to chill out in
Vegan/GF menu
Some cool activities to be had here
Lots of merch items
Bike racks out the front are smart to encourage cycling in

Moon Dog Brewery, Abbotsford, Victoria

Another OG
Well worth a visit
Funky set up
Great beer list and happy staff

Black Dog Brewing Co, Taminick, Victoria

Stopped here when traveling back to Brisbane up the Newell Highway
Make a stop in it’s worth it
Lots of beer styles
Picked up a cap- love a black dog!

Fixation Brewing Co, Collingwood, Victoria

All about the IPA’s
Nice glassware
Creative beer paddles
Such kind, friendly staff
Nice beer list wall

Thunder Road Brewing Co, Brunswick, Victoria

Chilled place in Brunswick
Lots of beer varieties to suit all tastes
Plenty of events
Good pricing for craft beers

Detour Brewing Co, Coldstream, Victoria

Did a day road trip out here- not far from Melbourne – the scenery is sublime.
Unsure whats happening as says ‘permanently closed’ on google
Cool merch
Nice staff- brewer had the time for a chat
Let me take a pic behind the bar.

Temple Brewing Co, Brunswick, Victoria

Nice spot any day of the week
Some of the nicest people work here
Huge beer list

3 Ravens Brewing Co, Thornbury, Victoria

Scene of one of my favourite beers for 2019
Love the beer club here
Great use of ex-stickers/beer decals selling for a $1 or $2
Such a chilled space
Quality staff make this an inclusive space

Future Mountain Brewing and Blending, Reservoir, Victoria

Seriously good brews
Extensive beer notes
Amazing glassware
Staff that give a damn

WESTERN AUSTRALIA (7)

Gage Roads Brewing Co, Palmyra, Western Australia

Such a good visit but no brewery tours here
Good to try the other Gage varieties like Hello Sunshine and Atomic before launch
Good to get the Gage beers at Optus Stadium too