Newstead Brewing Co announces permanent closure

A pioneer of Brisbane’s craft beer movement has called last drinks, after struggling to recover in the aftermath of Covid-19 and major flooding.

The Newstead Bewing Co has announced its permanent closure. Picture: Brisbane Tourism

A pioneer of Brisbane’s craft beer movement has called last drinks, after struggling to recover in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic and major flooding.

Newstead Brewing Co closed its doors for the final time in the days leading up to Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, with a public announcement in the days following the severe weather event.

Established in 2013 by the Howes family, the brewery started out at the site of a former bus depot at Doggett St, Newstead, which is now the location of Working Title Brew Co.

Newstead Brewing Co was initially located on Doggett St in Newstead.

The brewery was a big player in Brisbane’s burgeoning craft beer industry, offering a venue that catered for patrons that wanted to both eat and drink.

The business grew, expanding to its combined brewery and pub site at Castlemaine St, Milton in the shadow of Suncorp Stadium in 2017.

It also opened a taphouse at Brisbane Airport’s Domestic Terminal.

The company faced a number of challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic, before the Milton venue was devastated by the Brisbane floods of 2022.

Ultimately, it was a combination of the impact of both that led to closure.

Newstead Brewing Co at Brisbane Airport.

In a statement, a Newstead Brewing Co spokesperson said “it’s a sad time for Brisbane craft beer and our beloved industry”.

“Thirteen years ago, the beginning of the craft beer movement in Brisbane was wild. Discovering what hops in beer were was total transcendence; It was new and exciting,” the statement read.

“Three years ago, after the crippling pandemic bought the industry to its knees, we flooded.

The humbling of that moment sparked a massive focus on integrity and authenticity.

It was do or die. So we dug deep and did!

“We could have been forgiven for closing the doors after the floods of 2022 and the experience of watching nine years of our hard work go under water.

“We leave with our heads held high. All of our work was not for nothing. We kept the heart beating of an industry that needs help from its friends right now and we proved that passionate authenticity, heart, and sheer grit truly do make an impactful difference.

Georgia Ellis, 24 of Carina, and Dee Chin, 32 of Morningside, enjoying a craft beer at Newstead Brewing Co, Newstead. Photographer: Liam Kidston

“We have been proud to host your weddings, your birthdays, your reunions and your wakes. We’ve loved the rush of serving you on a Suncorp event day and having many yarns with you on a chilled out midweek afternoon. From Doggett St to Milton, it has been an honour serving you all.

“If anything can be taken from Newstead Brewing’s story, it’s to remain humble, keep evolving and bettering yourselves and please support your mates.

“We may be gone, but not forgotten. You will find a little part of us in every Brisbane craft beer poured. Cheers to an industry worth fighting for!”

The Newstead Brewing Co has been contacted for comment.