Sip on the state’s finest artisanal cold ones at a top-notch brewery in Brisbane.

Midweek lunches, after-work downloads, taste investigations or weekend hangs — there’s always a good reason to hit a brewery in Brisbane. As the city’s hospitality and dining scene evolves, rivalling the edge and creativity once reserved for Melbourne and Sydney, Brisbane breweries are on fire.

Restaurant-quality meals, trendy crowds and, of course, outstanding handcrafted brews are nourishing locals across the city. Here is our guide to every must-experience brewery in Brisbane.

1. Felons Brewing Co.

With comfortable capacity for thousands, yes thousands, of guests, Felons Brewing Co. in Howard Smith Wharves is a wonderland for beer lovers. Set right against the Brisbane River and poured over two venues plus al fresco seating, the brewery in Brisbane streams a core range of lager, Aussie pale ale, Indian pale ale and hazy American-style pale ale before throwing fearless innovation at barrel-aged beer (oaky wine notes breathe euphoric new life), cider and more.

And then there’s the food. Choose from fish and chips by the interactive, kid-friendly outdoor art installation, a menu of pizzas, burgers and other refined classics in the brewery itself or flavour-jammed Thai in the Barrel Hall. It’s a head spinning hub of creativity (there’s even yoga on Wednesdays) with tasty beer at the core of every master stroke.

Address: Howard Smith Wharves, 5 Boundary Street, Brisbane City

Opening hours: From 11am to late daily.

2. Catchment Brewing Co.

In the heart of energy-plus West End lies Catchment Brewing Co., a brewery where good times are harnessed. While the brews are delicious (think a crowd-winning lager, pale ales, and sours), it’s the atmosphere that keeps regulars happy.

There’s a bunch of rotating events and deals to get amongst including Pints & Pizza Wednesdays and Trivia Thursdays but no matter when you drop by, you’ll be met with a mouth-watering menu of hearty pub classics and pizzas, and friendly staff eager to spread their passion for beer.

Address: 150 Boundary Street, West End

Opening hours:  Monday to Thursday 12pm until late, Friday and Saturday 12pm to 1am, Sunday 11am until late

3. Stone & Wood

One of the country’s most renowned labels, readily poured in one of the city’s most renowned locales. Stone & Wood, a brewery that stems from Byron Bay origins, can be gulped in serious style on Bridge Street where chic Brisbanites and after-work revellers love to let their hair down.

Two dozen taps stream the brand’s core creations spanning their famed Pacific Ale, lagers, and pale ales as well as barrel aged ales, sours, stout, and more.

The industrial space is dotted with waxy greenery, warming up its industrial warehouse vibes, while a short but sweet food menu featuring snacks, a charcuterie board, burgers, and schnitzels ensures smiles on dials when tummies rumble.

Address: 99 Bridge Street, Fortitude Valley

Opening hours: Wednesday and Thursday 12pm to 9pm, Friday and Saturday 12pm to 10pm, Sunday 12pm to 6pm

4. Sea Legs Brewing Co.

An industrial warehouse in one of the city’s prettiest suburbs is home to Sea Legs Brewing Co., a brewery just moments away from Story Bridge. The staff are instantly endearing, as are the beers they pour which include one extremely smooth session ale, a lager, an American-style pale ale, a stout, an Indian pale ale, and additional special releases. When it’s time to chow down, a menu of beer-perfect accompaniments like burgers, pizzas, wraps, sandwiches, wings, share boards, and small plates, will satisfy.

Address: 89 Main Street, Kangaroo Point

Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday 12pm to 9pm, Friday and Saturday 12pm to 11pm

5. Soapbox Beer

These guys love a play on words almost as much as they love making beer. Soapbox Beer brings hipster cool to inner-city workers and retail enthusiasts, delivering a range of big impact brews to the bustling suburb of Fortitude Valley. There’s the Opinionator Pale Ale, The Rant IPA, the Loud Mouth Amber Ale, the Squawker Hazy IPA and other clever concoctions to help hydrate visitors. The team also boast a surprisingly large food menu as the waft of grilled steaks, burgers and other greasy bites cooking in the kitchen always prove totally irresistible.

Address: 89/101 Gipps Street, Fortitude Valley

Opening hours: Wednesday to Thursday 12pm to 10.30pm, Friday and Saturday 12pm to 12am

6. Valley Hops Brewing

Moonlighting as one of the best rooftop bars in Brisbane, Valley Hops Brewing is a play-all-night institution in the thick of the city.

Its generous leafy space is filled with cosy nooks to nestle into (and dotted with sensational city views, to boot) as you sample the fruits of the team’s labour.

The core range includes crowd-pleasers like their pale ale, lager and IPA but we encourage you to get stuck into the seasonal specials to really get a taste of what this brewery in Brisbane is famed for.

Address: Top floor above Cloudland, 641 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley

Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday 8.30am to late

7. Milton Common

For some of the most Instagram-perfect packaging in town, check out Milton Common, a microbrewery that’s always a scene. Blending up a core range plus surprise collaborations with likeminded brewery friends around the state, the team pushes the boundaries of brewing while injecting ample fun.

Don’t miss the take-away tinnies, emblazoned with works of art that often tweak colonial imagery with humorous contemporary spins. When it’s time to dine, comfort food is available in its most deep-fried form. Think chicken crackling, wings, fries and beyond.

Address: 35 Railway Terrace, Milton

Opening hours: Tuesday to Thursday 12pm to 10pm, Friday to Saturday 12pm to 12am and Sunday 12pm to 6pm

8. Ballistic Beer Co.

Located in the southern suburbs of Brisbane, Ballistic Beer Co. has fitted out its great big warehouse with a buzzing taproom. Pouring the brand’s core range of brews, spanning lagers, stouts, sours and ales, there’s always something exciting and seasonal to tickle your tastebuds.

Get there on a Friday or weekend night for a revolving door of local food trucks, dishing up classic beer accompaniments to help wash down all the magic.

Address: 53-55 McCarthy Road, Salisbury

Opening hours: Thursday 4pm to 7.30pm, Friday 1.30pm to 10pm, Saturday 1pm to 10pm and Sunday 1pm to 7pm

9. Slipstream Brewing Co.

A hidden inner-city gem located within walking distance from the Yeerongpilly train station, Slipstream Brewing Co. attracts a cult following. The team have picked up several awards, most recently crowned Champion Brewery at the 2024 Royal Queensland Beer Awards, and just one sip of any one of the elixirs will having you nodding your head in agreeance. The core range is never a bad idea while special editions like their hazy IPA and ginger beer are also completely smashable. The team have plans to open up a second location in the Sunshine Coast’s Birtinya, near Kawana Waters, very soon — the local love affair is that strong.

Address: 94 Wilkie Street, Yeerongpilly

Opening hours: Wednesday to Thursday 11am to 9pm, Friday to Saturday 11am to 10pm and Sunday 11am to 8pm

10. Helios Brewing Co.

Firmly focused on putting sustainably crafted brews on the map, Helios Brewing Co. is a low-key brewery in Brisbane that flows with a sense of community. Located in burgeoning Yeerongpilly, the spot is a favourite of locals, blending a masterful range of ales including the crafty Athena’s Courage Scotch Ale and the popular Poseidon Pale Ale.

If you’re a fan of the heavy stuff, they’ve also got a regular chocolate stout on tap. Savour your poison downstairs by the bar or upstairs in a chilled-out room that often holds trivia events.

Address: 15 Palomar Road, Yeerongpilly

Opening hours: Thursday 4pm to 9pm, Friday 12pm to 9pm, Saturday 12pm to 9pm and Sunday 12pm to 5.30pm

11. Aether Brewing

Dog-friendly and reliably chilled, Aether Brewing’s taproom is one of the city’s most relaxing spots to sink a cold one in. Take a seat under an umbrella in the brewery’s al fresco space as you knock back hit after hit including a revolving range of stouts, ales, pilsners, sours and more. If you can look past the brews, there’s also wine, cocktails and nibbles to devour but mark our words, this place is all about enjoying quality, fresh-poured beer. It closes once the sun sets, so get there early to make a day of it.

Address: 340 Melton Road, Northgate

Opening hours: Friday 3pm to 7pm and Saturday to Sunday 12pm to 7pm

12. Happy Valley Brewing Company

Paying tribute to the suburb of Stafford’s old-school nickname of Happy Valley, the Happy Valley Brewing Company is a popular haunt amongst locals thanks to its warm and welcoming personnel. Always pushing the envelope with their limited-edition releases, the brewery in Brisbane also nails its gluten-reduced core range consisting of ales, lagers, sours and stouts. When hunger strikes, burgers and ‘tuckshop classics,’ such as mozzarella sticks, have your name written all over them.

Hot tip: Scan the kids’ menu for good-as-gold Dagwood Dogs, too — the most delicious beer chaser, in our opinion.

Address: 34 Wolverhampton Street, Stafford

Opening hours: Wednesday 4pm to 7pm, Thursday 4pm to late, Friday to Sunday 12pm to late

13. Future Magic Brewing Co.

Step inside an unassuming warehouse space to meet the instantly charming Future Magic Brewing Co., a brewery in Brisbane that excels at sensational blends. From apple pie-inspired ales and fruity sours to the especially delectable West Coast IPA, there is always an impressive pick for every brand of beer enthusiast. Wash the good vibes down with the kitchen’s extensive pizza menu or well-executed range of classic pub bites.

Address: 32 Manilla Street, East Brisbane

Opening hours: Wednesday over varying hours (contact directly for up-to-date times), Thursday to Saturday 12pm to 9pm and Sunday 12pm to 8pm

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