Geelong region’s massive range of craft beer brewpubs
The abundance of craft beer breweries and bars around Geelong, the Surf Coast and Otways has reached mind-blowing proportions, with more than 10 specialty brewpubs within 30 minutes of the CBD. Here’s a guide to all of them.
Geelong
Don't miss out on the headlines from Geelong. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The abundance of craft beer breweries and bars in Geelong, the Surf Coast and surrounds has reached mind-blowing proportions, with more than 10 venues within 30 minutes of the CBD.
We’ve taken a look at each, comprising locations that either brew their own beer on site or operate under the ownership of a notable craft beer brand — not typically places you’ll find Great Northern or Coronas.
The list includes brewpubs where you can enjoy a meal with your chosen brew.
We’ve included recommendations for beers we think are worth a try.
DRINK-IN BREWERIES & TAPROOMS
Little Creatures Brewery (South Geelong)
Geelong’s showpiece brewery is undoubtedly Little Creatures, boasting an enormous beer hall and ‘Canteen’ and heaps of outdoor laneway nooks.
The beer range caters for a wide range of tastes, making it a popular hangout, and is ideally located just a 1km walk from South Geelong railway station.
Little Creatures is also known for its limited release seasonal beers.
The site is home to the White Rabbit Brewery & Barrel Hall, where you will find the fruits of their slogan “fermentation with imagination” - including sour and dark ales, many designed to pair with the items on a menu foodies would devour.
At the time of writing, White Rabbit was still in hibernation due to COVID-19 (apart from online sales), but craft beer connoisseurs will be licking their lips for its return.
WHAT TO TRY
Little Creatures: Dog Days Session Ale
White Rabbit: Sour Red Ale
Blackman’s Brewing (Torquay, Ocean Grove)
Get the peak brewery experience in the cosy and inviting beer hall at the Bell St, Torquay HQ.
But you can still enjoy all the beers elsewhere, including the Blackman’s Burger Bar at Ocean Grove.
Blackman's Good Beer Bar - formerly located in Dennys Place, Geelong CBD - was replaced by Bells Beach Brewing's bar in January 2021.
Along with Blackman’s wide and tasty core range and special brews, you can also try beers from the Barrel Farm off-shoot, dedicated to beers aged in locally-sourced ex-wine and spirit barrels, sours and farmhouse ales
WHAT TO TRY
Whatever seasonals are on offer. Blackman’s regularly comes up with some out-there flavours outside its core range. The Pina Colada Hazy, a pale ale, was released in December 2020.
Bells Beach Brewing (Torquay, Geelong)
It’s slightly hidden from view in the midst of an industrial estate, and perhaps that’s just how the locals like it.
Bells Beach Brewing, as its name suggests, pays homage to various surf breaks in the names of its brews, with the likes of Southside, Addis, Posso’s and Bird Rock rating a mention and that’s just in the core range.
While there’s only a handful of space inside, the beer garden sprawls out to a car park in a casual vibe perfect for a lazy arvo.
Bells beach Brewing opened a taproom in Dennys Place at the same location Blackman's Brewing once occupied, in January 2021.
WHAT TO TRY: Rincon Raspberry Sour
Valhalla Brewery & Taproom (Geelong)
Valhalla’s Taproom is conveniently located on Union St, Geelong featuring its own range of beers and a fridge full of independent craft brews from near and far.
The name is inspired by Norse mythology — Valhalla being the great hall of Odin where Viking warriors go after they die to be reunited with their friends and loved ones — and feast, fight and drink beer for eternity.
And it’s not just about the beers, with the venue well-known for spinning some classic vinyls if they’re not putting on live music and DJs.
WHAT TO TRY: Loose Joose Hazy IPA
Queenscliff Brewhouse (Queenscliff)
One of the most historic pubs in the region has one of the best selection of craft beers around.
Most recently the brews have had the influence of Mattias Isaksson, a Swedish-born brewer who has made a name for himself with his experimental style having started as a home brewer.
Queenscliff Brewhouse beers are brewed on-site as well as Prickly Moses in the Otways, where Isaksson is also head brewer.
There’s plenty of fresh, local food to eat to boot.
WHAT TO TRY: Queenscliff Brewery Steam Ale
BrewiColo (Ocean Grove)
Ocean Grove’s BrewiColo somehow makes you feel like you’re drinking beers on a Pacific island, despite being in the middle of an industrial estate.
Tropical themes dominate the regular range and seasonals of head brewer Chilla Tuicolo, with food trucks and live entertainment a regular accompaniment — whether it be in the form of music, open mic nights or bingo.
You can even knock back your beers with essentially a bird’s eye view of the brewery.
WHAT TO TRY: Piqi Bright Lager
The Hop Inn (Mt Duneed)
Once the home of Odyssey Craft Brewing has transitioned into The Hop Inn, which is still certainly dedicated to craft beer at its heart.
The venue has a generous indoor space and outdoor beer garden, regularly has live entertainment, and serves American-style food.
WHAT TO TRY: The Hop Mt Duneed XPA
Salt Brewing (Airey’s Inlet & Deans Marsh)
If you’re heading down the Great Ocean Road, you quite literally can’t miss the expansive Airey’s Pub, home to Salt Brewing Co.
As well as the ‘custom shaped’ beers, there’s plenty of outdoor green space for the kids to run around and a gastropub menu.
They’ve also got a cafe, bar, tasting room and bottle-o on the other side of the range at Deans Marsh.
WHAT TO TRY
Salt Brewing ‘Kook’ Blood Orange XPA
4 Pines Torquay (Torquay)
NSW-based 4 Pines partnered with Boardriders (aka Quiksilver) to launch a Torquay venue in 2020.
Centrally located in the surfing precinct, the pub has used reclaimed wood to create a massive outdoor patio and has 6 taps often rotating through 4 Pines latest ‘Keller Door’ experimental creations.
WHAT TO TRY: 4 Pines Keller Door range
Jetty Road Brewing (Lorne)
The Mornington Peninsula-based brewers made a home on the ‘other side of the bay’ in opening a taproom in December 2020.
Launching in the location right across from the main beach has been in the eyes of the owners for at least 15 years, who have created a laidback picnic table setting with an expectedly beachy feel.
The beers focus on the core range, while the menu features fresh local seafood, including an Apollo Bay lobster roll, or you can try the famous JettyRoad Fried Chicken.
WHAT TO TRY: Jetty Road Pale Ale
Forrest Brewing (Forrest)
A day trip into the heart of the Otways becomes complete with a visit to Forrest Brewing.
The brewpub, which is housed in a historic building in the centre of town, is a popular spot for tourists who come to the area for walking and mountain bike trails.
Forrest Brewing has a tasty core range, including the intense depth of flavour from the double IPA Untamed Turkey and Block Splitter imperial stout.
They can all be found in bottles locally, but there’s plenty of experimentation going on at the brewery, meaning there’s always new and unique beers on tap, including those brewed with wild-grown hops and other local produce.
WHAT TO TRY
(seasonal) Sticky Fingers Wet Hop Lager
(year-round) Untamed Turkey DIPA
Prickly Moses (Barongarook, south of Colac)
The tranquil Otway Estate is the home of the Prickly Moses brand.
The venue’s Bar & Cafe offers the full range of beers and ciders created at the on-site brewery, as well as local wines.
Mattias Isaakson is the head brewer at Prickly Moses, so you’re sure to find some more amazing brews on site.
Enjoy your food a drink on the spacious deck overlooking the vineyard.
WHAT TO TRY: Prickly Moses Spotted Ale
Sow & Piglets Brewing (Port Campbell)
This one is a fair drive from Geelong, but if you’re going ALL the way down the Great Ocean Road you can stop off at Sow & Piglets Brewing at Port Campbell.
The venue was born out of renovations done to the Port Campbell hostel, and the brand is an ode to the original name for Mutton Bird Island and the 12 Apostles.
The core range includes a reasonably German influence and features a kolsch, dunkel and marzen — unlike many other breweries’ year-round offerings.
WHAT TO TRY: Sow & Piglets Kolsch
COMING SOON
Barwon Heads Brewing Co
A new player is coming to the local beer scene in early 2021, with Barwon Heads Brewing Co set to launch very soon.
According to their Facebook page, the brewery is run by a local family who have ‘spent time creating passion, perfection and heart by putting in long hours sourcing quality ingredients to bring you quality beer brewed for Barwon Heads’.
We’ll let you know when it’s set to open.
Originally published as Geelong region’s massive range of craft beer brewpubs
Geelong to be ‘utterly central’ to Victorian wind farms
GeelongPort is on track to place Corio Bay at the “centre” of Australia’s offshore wind industry thanks to a $500m offshore wind farm terminal that could be up and running by late 2028.
Rowntree doubles down on ‘stupid’ battery project
Getaway TV presenter and Little River resident Catriona Rowntree has doubled down on her opposition to a proposed battery project in her area, labelling it “stupid”.