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David

@brewhunta

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Brewery taprooms in SE Australia.
TAPROOMS VISITED: 3️⃣3️⃣6️⃣
VIC (248) - SA (49) - TAS (37) - NSW (2)
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Brewery Taproom No.337 (No.249 in Victoria)  The Freehouse (by TW0BAYS) Collingwood, Victoria  16th September 2026 (Wednesday) I’d been meaning to check out The Freehouse in Collingwood, so with Grand Final Eve rolling around, it seemed like a pretty good excuse to finally make a visit. And when I saw they had a meat pie special featuring slow-cooked beef in their No Doubt Stout, well… the decision pretty much made itself. The Freehouse is the Melbourne home of TWØBAYS Brewing Co., the Mornington Peninsula brewery specialising entirely in gluten-free beer. The venue combines a bar, dining room, pool table and private dining space in a converted industrial building. With fifteen taps dedicated to TWØBAYS alongside a rotating selection of Victorian ciders, seltzers, wines, spirits and cocktails. The beer list covers a broad range, from lagers and pale ales through to an IPA and the No Doubt Stout, with limited and seasonal releases also making their way onto the taps. The No Doubt Stout, it was the perfect choice for the pie. The slow-cooked beef had been cooked in the stout, so naturally I had to order a pot of the same beer to wash it down. A meat pie made with stout, washed down with stout on Grand Final Eve — sometimes the beer gods get it right. Everything at The Freehouse is gluten-free, continuing the philosophy behind TWØBAYS since the brewery was founded in 2018. The beers themselves are produced at TWØBAYS’ brewery in Dromana, with The Freehouse acting as their first bricks-and-mortar venue in Melbourne. It gives you the chance to work your way through a pretty comprehensive selection of the range in one place. The venue itself is much bigger than I expected, with space for around 170 people. There’s a casual bar area at the front with a pool table and TVs, while the main dining area sits further back towards the open kitchen. The industrial bones of the building have been retained, with polished concrete, timber, greenery and a high exposed ceiling giving it a modern but relaxed feel. Overall, The Freehouse is a welcome addition to Collingwood and a great spot to explore the TWØBAYS range. @the_freehouse_collingwood @twobaysbeer by @brewhunta
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9 hours ago
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Brewery Taproom No.336 (No.248 in Victoria)  Hofbräuhaus Melbourne Melbourne, Victoria  16th September 2026 (Wednesday) My latest stop took me to Hofbräuhaus Melbourne in the heart of Chinatown, and honestly, this wasn’t a venue I was originally planning to post. Over the years it feels like the venue has become a little more distant from its Hofbräuhaus roots, noticeable in the Bier list, with fewer of the original Hofbräu beers than you might expect. That said, it’s still a great German beer list and there was plenty here worth working through. Hofbräuhaus Melbourne has been bringing a little piece of Bavaria to Melbourne since 1968. For this visit I settled into the traditional restaurant, with warm timber furniture, Bavarian décor and plenty of memorabilia. It has a traditional German feel and is somewhere that encourages you to sit down for a proper meal rather than simply drop in for a quick drink. What makes the Melbourne Hofbräuhaus particularly interesting is that it wasn’t simply an overseas franchise. Established by local Bavarian chefs, it was the very first licensed venue outside Europe permitted to use the Hofbräuhaus name. It has remained independently owned, continuing its focus on Bavarian food, hospitality and imported Bier. The Hofbräu name itself dates back to 1589, when Hofbräu München was established as a brewery for the Bavarian court, with the famous Hofbräuhaus in Munich opening at the Platzl in 1607. I worked through a five-beer paddle consisting of Hofbräu Original (5.1%), Benediktiner Weisse (5.4%), Rothaus Pilsner (5.1%), Hofbräu Dunkel (5.5%) and Landbier Zwick’l (5.3%). I also grabbed a 500ml Hofbräu Maibock (7.2%) to go with my Wurstplatte Sausage Platter - a pretty fitting combination for a Bavarian venue! While the Hofbräu representation may not be what it once was, the broader German beer selection still makes this a worthwhile stop for anyone who enjoys traditional German styles. With more than half a century of history there’s plenty of heritage here beyond the beer list. The traditional restaurant, German Bier and Wurstplatte made for a pretty fitting and filling afternoon. Prost! @hofbrauhaus_melbourne by @brewhunta
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7 days ago
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Brewery Taproom No.335 (No.247 in Victoria)  Mog Brew Altona, Victoria  11th September 2026 (Friday) My latest brewery stop brought me to Mog Brew in Altona, a brewery with its roots in country Victoria but now firmly established in Melbourne’s west. Founded by two brothers, Mog Brew’s name comes from Moglonemby, the small farming community near Euroa where the brothers grew up. The brewery’s story began in 2019, initially with the beers being contract brewed while the brand built up a following. Before establishing their own brewery, Mog Brew’s other home was a taproom at former Brüger in Footscray (posted previously). Their current site is also somewhere I’ve visited before, although under a different name, occupying the former Brew Works site (posted previously). It’s great to see Mog now with a permanent home of its own in Melbourne’s west. Mog’s beers cover a broad range, from approachable lagers and hop-forward beers to seasonal and experimental releases. Having their own brewing space also gives the brewery more opportunity to develop and produce beers themselves. The taproom also runs a members night every Thursday, with members getting the chance to take part in a jackpot prize, adding another reason for locals to make Mog a regular stop. For my visit, I worked my way through the entire lineup, with every beer sampled across two tasting paddles. It was a great way to get a proper overview of what Mog Brew currently has on offer, from the lighter and crisp beers through to the more hop-driven and darker releases. It’s great to see the progression from a brewery that started out around Euroa, built its reputation through contract brewing and venues such as Brüger, and has now landed in Altona with a brewery and taproom of its own. With future expansion plans already in the pipeline, I’ll definitely have a reason to return for another visit and post down the track to see how Mog Brew continues to grow. PADDLE 1: 1. Country Lager (4.5%) 2. Draught (4.0%) 3. Country Pale Ale (4.0%) 4. Citra WCIPA (6.5%) PADDLE 2: 1. Dunkels Bock (6.3%) 2. Superdelic OCIPA (7.5%) 3. Chocolate Stout (5.0%) 4. Crisp Apple Cider (4.2%) @mog_brew by @brewhunta
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14 days ago
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Brewery Taproom No.334 (No.246 in Victoria)  Albion Hotel - Bodriggy Brewing Taproom Collingwood, Victoria  26th February 2026 (Thursday) My latest stop brought me to the Albion Hotel in Collingwood, a historic pub that has undergone a major transformation under the ownership of local brewery Bodriggy Brewing Co. While the building has been a pub for well over a century, it has lived through several different identities, including Punter’s Palace and, more recently, Perry’s Refreshment Club. Bodriggy owners took over the venue and set about bringing the Albion name back, reopening the pub in late 2023 following an extensive renovation. The renovation has been designed to retain the character of the historic building while drawing inspiration from the Albion’s 1970s heyday. The traditional exterior leads into a warm, old-school pub interior, with dark timber panelling, stained glass, tartan carpet and a large green-tiled U-shaped bar taking centre stage. It feels nostalgic without being dated, combining the character of a classic Melbourne pub with a fresh lease of life. Being owned by Bodriggy naturally means beer is a major part of the offering, with the brewery’s beers featuring prominently across the taps. The connection is particularly strong given Bodriggy’s brewery in Abbotsford is only around 1.5 kilometres away, making the Albion an ideal location to showcase the brewery’s beers so close to where they are produced. For my visit, I went for a schooner of Bodriggy’s “Haven’t the Foggiest”, a Hazy Double IPA coming in at a hefty 9% ABV. Packed with the juicy, hazy character you’d expect from the style, it was a substantial beer that certainly delivered on flavour and strength. To go with it, I opted for the classic pub combination of pie, chips and salad. The hearty pie and crispy chips made for a satisfying match with the big, full-bodied IPA. Overall, the Albion is a great example of how a historic pub can be brought back to life without losing the character that made it special. Bodriggy has created a venue that feels genuinely connected to its past while giving it a fresh identity of its own. @albionhotelcollingwood @bodriggybrewpub by @brewhunta
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21 days ago
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Brewery Taproom No.333 (No.245 in Victoria)  Hargreaves Hill Brewing  Lilydale, Victoria  11th February 2026 (Wednesday) My second stop of the day brought me to Hargreaves Hill Brewing Co. in Lilydale, one of the pioneering names of Victoria’s craft beer scene and a brewery with a remarkable story of resilience. Founded in 2004 Hargreaves Hill began brewing in Steels Creek, with everything from brewing through to packaging done by hand. The brewery’s journey took a dramatic turn in 2009 when the Black Saturday bushfires destroyed the original brewery. Rather than walk away, Hargreaves Hill established its new production home in Lilydale later that year. The Lilydale brewery has remained the heart of the operation ever since. While Lilydale is now home to the brewery and taproom, this isn’t Hargreaves Hill’s first dedicated space for visitors. The brewery previously operated a taproom in nearby Yarra Glen, giving locals and visitors a chance to enjoy its beers closer to the heart of the Yarra Valley. The Lilydale venue brings the taproom directly alongside the production brewery. The taproom makes good use of its industrial surroundings while still feeling welcoming and relaxed, with the brewery equipment providing a genuine connection to the brewing operation. I worked my way through all eight beers available on tap, enjoying two tasting paddles of four beers each. It was a great way to experience the breadth of the Hargreaves Hill range, from established favourites to seasonal and experimental offerings. The food menu also provided plenty of choice, and I went with a serving of the Peking duck string rolls and a serving of the southern fried chicken tenders, both making for a welcome accompaniment to the beers. After more than two decades of brewing, Hargreaves Hill’s story is as much about perseverance as it is about beer, remaining an important part of the Yarra Valley’s craft beer story. PADDLE 1: 1. Lager (4.2%) 2. ESB (5.2%) 3. Pale Ale (4.9%) 4. IPA (6.2%) PADDLE 2: 1. Staffies Brewers IPA (6.3%) 2. Kenneth Son of Zenneth Imperial IPA (8.2%) 3. Kenny WCIPA (6.0%) 4. Artemis Braggot English Mild (3.5%) @hargreaveshill by @brewhunta
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a month ago
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Brewery Taproom No.332 (No.244 in Victoria)  Venom Brewing  Melbourne CBD, Victoria  11th February 2026 (Wednesday) My latest brewery stop brought me to the Venom Brewing Taproom in Melbourne’s CBD, a venue that finally gives this family-owned brewery a home of its own after more than a decade in the craft beer scene. Established in 2015, the brewery’s origins are tied to a rather memorable snakebite story within the family, which ultimately led to the creation of its flagship Golden Ale. Located on Little Bourke Street, the taproom occupies the former Mrs Parma’s site, giving it an interesting connection to Melbourne’s independent beer history. Mrs Parma’s was well known for championing Victorian craft beer, so it feels particularly fitting that the space is now home to Venom. The venue has a classic pub feel rather than the industrial look often associated with brewery taprooms. Retro touches, vinyl and art-deco details combine with a central bar lined with taps, creating a relaxed space equally suited to a quiet afternoon beer or a night out in the city. The food follows that pub theme, with classic dishes and a Venom take on the famous parma. I went for the Fish and Chips, consisting of beer-battered rockling. While the taproom showcases Venom’s beers, brewing takes place at the brewery’s production facility in Thomas town, with the finished beers making their way into the CBD venue. The range at the time of my visit included the Golden Ale (4.8%), Refreshing Ale (3.5%), Dry Lager (4.2%), Pale Ale (4.8%), IPA (6.0%), Cherry Sour (4.0%) and the Drifter Hazy IPA (6.0%). I worked my way through all seven beers across two tasting paddles, giving me a chance to experience the full range. The Golden Ale remains significant, part of the Venom story since the beginning and becoming a signature beer for the brand. With its CBD location just a minute from Parliament Station, the taproom is an easy stop when exploring Melbourne. More importantly, it gives Venom Brewing the permanent home it had been searching for since before COVID, bringing together its beers, family story and love of traditional pub culture under one roof. @venombeer @venombrewingtaproom by @brewhunta
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a month ago
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Brewery Taproom No.331 (No.243 in Victoria)  Urban Alley Brewing  Chadstone, Victoria  10th February 2026 (Tuesday) My next stop brought me to Urban Alley Brewery in Chadstone, a venue that has undergone a short but significant move while building on the identity the brewery has established across Melbourne’s craft beer scene. Having visited Urban Alley’s other venues, including its original Docklands location, I was keen to see the brewery’s latest home. Originally located just metres away, Urban Alley Chadstone has relocated into a new space within the Chadstone precinct. While the move may have only been a short one, the new venue provides a refreshed setting for the brewery to showcase its beers and welcome visitors. The space has a relaxed, contemporary feel, making it an easy place to settle in and enjoy a few beers. The brewing equipment remains an important part of the venue, with the stainless-steel vessels visible centre stage, providing a reminder that this is more than simply a bar serving Urban Alley beers. Having already worked my way through many of Urban Alley’s beers at its other venues, I focused on newer offerings, opting for a five-beer paddle featuring West Coast Pilsner (4.8%), “Bier Ampere” American Pale Ale (5.0%), “Cinnabar” Cali IPA (6.0%), “Dark Craic” Stout (4.2%) and “Between Tides” IPA (7.0%). It provided a great cross-section of the current lineup, from the crisp Pilsner and balanced Pale Ale to the hop-forward IPAs and darker, malt-driven Stout, while giving me the chance to sample beers I hadn’t tried before. The food menu also offers plenty of options to pair with the beers, covering familiar pub favourites alongside more substantial meals. For lunch, I went with the chicken schnitzel, which made for a satisfying accompaniment to the tasting paddle. The Chadstone move is a good example of Urban Alley continuing to evolve without losing its connection to the area. With its refreshed home, relaxed atmosphere, solid food offering and ever-changing selection of house-brewed beers, the new venue makes for another worthwhile stop when exploring Melbourne’s craft beer scene. @urbanalleybrewery @urbanalleybrewpub @uabrewingco taken in Urban Alley Brewery by @brewhunta
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a month ago
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Brewery Taproom No.330 (No.242 in Victoria) FarmDog Little Malop Geelong, Victoria 9th February 2026 (Monday) My latest brewery stop brought me to FarmDog Little Malop, the Geelong tasting room and bar from Bellarine-based FarmDog Brewing. Tucked away in Denny’s Place just off Little Malop Street, the venue offers a very different experience from FarmDog’s home at McGlashan’s Estate, swapping the vineyard setting for a cosy urban laneway atmosphere. Opened in September 2025, the Geelong venue occupies the former Bells Brewery CBD outpost, giving the space an interesting connection to Geelong’s recent craft beer history. FarmDog has transformed the former brewery venue into a relaxed tasting room showcasing not only its beers, but also its growing range of gin, whisky and wine. With eight beers available during my visit, there was no question about how I was going to approach the tasting. I worked my way through the entire range across two tasting paddles, giving me the chance to experience everything from lighter, refreshing styles through to darker and more flavour-driven offerings. Having the full range provided a great overview of FarmDog’s brewing style and the variety they bring to their production. Food is also part of the experience, although rather than operating its own kitchen, FarmDog’s menu is supplied by two nearby Geelong eateries, RUNE Pizza and Mavs Greek Restaurant. I opted for the chargrilled meatballs and goat cheese croquettes, both making for excellent accompaniments to the beers and adding another dimension to the visit. The intimate laneway setting creates a relaxed tasting-room atmosphere, showcasing FarmDog’s beers alongside its gin, whisky and wine. With eight beers, local food, spirits and a relaxed atmosphere, FarmDog Little Malop is a worthwhile stop for anyone exploring Geelong’s craft beverage scene. PADDLE 1: 1. Laneway Lager (4.0%) 2. Dark Rescue Red (4.2%) 3. Paddock! At the Disco Pale (4.7%) 4. Dark Arts Dark Ale (4.7%) 5. The Drifter IPA (6.2%) PADDLE 2: 1. Laneway Lager (4.0%) 2. Ginger Beer (4.2%) 3. Paddock! At the Disco Pale (4.7%) 4. Midnight Mass Stout (6.5%) 5. Slay Dog Sour (5.0%) @farmdogbrewing by @brewhunta
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2 months ago
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Brewery Taproom No.329 (No.241 in Victoria) Neighbourhood Beer and Whiskey Rosebud, Victoria 6th February 2026 (Friday) My first new brewery visit since returning from my South Australia venture brought me to Neighbourhood Beer and Whisky in Rosebud, one of the Mornington Peninsula’s newest independent breweries. Opened in 2025 in the former Escape Brewing premises, the venue combines a relaxed taproom with a growing focus on whisky. Brewing takes place on the existing stainless steel brewhouse inherited from Escape Brewing, providing a solid foundation as the brewery establishes its own identity just minutes from the Rosebud foreshore. The brewery has a welcoming, community-focused feel, striking a balance between a modern brewery and a neighbourhood bar. Inside, the taproom features a clean industrial design with ample seating, while the spacious outdoor beer garden is perfect for enjoying the Peninsula sunshine. A pool table and function spaces further reinforce the venue’s goal of creating a place where locals and visitors alike can settle in for an afternoon rather than simply stopping by for a quick drink. The beer range is intentionally concise, focusing on approachable styles brewed for maximum drinkability rather than chasing the latest trends. During my visit I enjoyed a tasting paddle of four with the addition of another two beers, allowing me to sample the entire range on tap. The lineup consisted of the Sparkling (5.0%), Draught (4.6%), Mid (3.6%), Hazy (4.2%), Stout (4.5%) and Sour (4.3%). While each beer offered something different, they all displayed excellent balance, clean flavours and impressive drinkability, making for an enjoyable tasting from start to finish. To accompany the beers, I ordered the Salami Pizza, which paired perfectly with the lineup. With quality beer, a relaxed atmosphere and an emerging whisky program highlighted by the release of its inaugural Port Cask Matured Single Malt, Neighbourhood Beer and Whisky is a welcome addition to the Mornington Peninsula’s craft beverage scene and well worth including on any brewery itinerary. @neighbourhoodbeerandwhisky by @brewhunta
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2 months ago
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Brewery Taproom No.328 (No.49 in South Australia) Wheaty Brewing Corps Thebarton, SA 17th November 2025 (Monday) My final stop of the day before making the flight back to Melbourne brought me to one of Australia’s true craft beer institutions – the Wheatsheaf Hotel in Adelaide’s Thebarton. Better known simply as “The Wheaty”, the historic pub has been serving locals since the 1880s, but over the past few decades it has built a reputation as one of the country’s premier destinations for independent beer. Long before the modern craft beer boom, the Wheatsheaf was championing local and independent breweries, making it a venue that has played an important role in Australia’s craft beer story. What drew me here, however, was Wheaty Brewing Corps, the hotel’s on-site brewery. Established in 2015, the brewery operates on a compact brewhouse that allows the team to focus on small-batch production and constant experimentation. Rather than producing a permanent core range, the brewery embraces creativity, regularly rotating styles that range from traditional European-inspired lagers and ales through to Belgian classics, farmhouse saisons, hop-forward IPAs and barrel-aged specialties. The small scale of the operation gives the brewers the freedom to trial new recipes, seasonal ingredients and one-off releases, ensuring there’s almost always something different pouring from the taps. With no tasting paddles available, I opted for four pots to experience a good cross-section of the brewery’s range. The Fortune Keller Kellerbier (5.6%), the Rauchbier Smokey Lager (5.7%), the Belgian-style Dubbel (7.2%) and the Blood Plum Saison (4.9%). Each beer was technically well brewed and showcased the versatility of the brewery’s small-batch approach. The atmosphere provided the perfect finish to the day. It had the welcoming feel of a genuine neighbourhood pub while offering a beer list that would excite even the most seasoned craft beer enthusiast. Combining one of Australia’s most iconic independent pubs with an innovative on-site brewery, the Wheatsheaf Hotel and Wheaty Brewing Corps proved to be a fitting way to end my third South Australian brewery tour. @thewheaty taken in Wheatsheaf Hotel by @brewhunta
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2 months ago
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Brewery Taproom No.327 (No.48 in South Australia) Unit Three Collective Lonsdale, SA 17th November 2025 (Monday) My second stop of the day brought me to Unit Three Collective in Lonsdale, one of South Australia’s most unique craft beverage destinations. Opened in late 2023, the venue brings together three independent producers under one roof: Day to Be Brewing, Lone Gum Farmhouse and Nightworks Distillery. Rather than operating as a traditional brewery, the collective celebrates collaboration, offering an impressive range of beer, spirits and natural wines in a relaxed industrial setting. Brewing takes place on a 500-litre brewhouse, while 20 taps pour house-made creations alongside carefully selected guest beers, making it a venue that encourages exploration. To make the most of the visit, I ordered two tasting paddles of five, sampling 10 beers on tap. It was an excellent way to experience the breadth of the range, from crisp lagers and hop-forward pale ales through to rich stouts. Despite the diversity of styles, every beer was clean, well-balanced and brewed with obvious attention to detail. The traditional styles were technically sound and highly drinkable, while the more adventurous offerings delivered plenty of character without sacrificing balance. The venue itself perfectly suits the concept. Set within an industrial warehouse, the fit-out combines polished timber, exposed steel and communal seating to create a welcoming atmosphere. Regular live music, food trucks, trivia and community events ensure there’s always something happening, making it equally suited to an evening with friends or a dedicated tasting session. By bringing together multiple independent producers under one roof, Unit Three Collective delivers exceptional variety without compromising on quality and is a venue I’d happily revisit to see what new creations are pouring next. PADDLE 1: 1. Helles Lager (4.7%) 2. Best Bitter (4.2%) 3. Pale Ale (4.4%) 4. Red Ale (4.8%) 5. “Unit Three x King River” Märzen (5.8%) PADDLE 2: 1. Black IPA (6.6%) 2. Mocha Stout (6.8%) 3. Foreign Export Stout (6.4%) 4. Dark Lager (5.1%) 5. “Day to Be” Chasing Sunshine IPA (6.5%) @unitthreecollective by @brewhunta
4
2 months ago
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Brewery Taproom No.326 (No.47 in South Australia) Swell Brewing McLaren Vale, SA 17th November 2025 (Monday) My first stop of the day saw me return to McLaren Vale, this time calling into Swell Brewing. Established in 2021, Swell has quickly earned a place in the region’s craft beer scene, combining quality beer with a relaxed coastal-inspired atmosphere. Located just minutes from some of South Australia’s best wineries, it’s an ideal destination for those looking to swap wine for a well-made pint. The brewery strikes a great balance between modern and welcoming. The brewhouse is visible from the venue, while the spacious taproom and outdoor seating create an easy-going environment that encourages you to settle in. Although McLaren Vale is renowned for its wine, Swell shows that craft beer has firmly established its own place in the region. I worked my way through two tasting paddles, which provided an excellent introduction to the brewery’s range. The lineup showcased a broad mix of styles, each brewed with balance and drinkability in mind. Whether it was the crisp lager, hop-forward pale ale or one of the more malt-driven offerings—including an imperial stout weighing in at a hefty 10.8% ABV—every beer was clean, well executed and true to style. Rather than chasing extremes, Swell focuses on approachable beers that deliver plenty of flavour without sacrificing balance. Although too early for a feed, the venue offered a menu of pizzas, burgers and share plates that proved popular among patrons. As the first brewery of the day, Swell Brewing proved to be an excellent way to kick things off. Returning to McLaren Vale was a reminder that the region has become much more than just a wine destination, and Swell is a great example of how craft beer has found its own identity here. With quality beer, an inviting venue and a laid-back vibe, it’s well worth including on any Fleurieu Peninsula itinerary. PADDLE 1: 1. Small Swell Ale (3.4%) 2. Great Southern Ale (3.4%) 3. Golden Ale (4.5%) 4. Pale Ale (4.7%) PADDLE 2: 1. Summer Sessions Ale (4.2%) 2. Playa Zicatela Hazy Pale (4.5%) 3. Desert Tubes Hazy Pale (6.3%) 4. Steamer Lane WCIPA (6.6%) @swellbeer by @brewhunta
2
3 months ago
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