Vale, Little Bang, Lady Burra, Shapeshifter: Every independent craft beer brewery in SA and where to find them
SA is home to more 80 independent breweries, from up-and-comers to world-famous labels. We take a deep dive to help you find where to have your next pint or two … or ten.
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Ever since the craft beer explosion about 10-15 years ago, SA’s scene has grown to more than 80 independent breweries from Port Pirie to Mount Gambier.
Pumping about $120m into the state’s economy and more 2000 jobs, craft beer is a unique business – one brewer told us about 50 per cent of people in the industry make craft beer, but it sells to only 8 per cent of the market.
To make it easier to find the perfect pint, we’ve mapped them all – and discovered some of their stories.
Shapeshifter Brewing Company
Suburb: Findon
Watching some of Adelaide’s biggest radio names exit the industry – often not of their own choosing – made Kevin Mulcahy realise he needed something to fall back on.
Fast forward 35-odd years, and the former radio veteran – who still announces casually on Cruise 1323 – is running Shapeshifter Brewing, one of Adelaide’s best independent breweries.
And even though the cost-of-living crisis has affected his craft brewery “enormously”, he and his business partner James McCall are afloat and finding new interstate buyers.
It was during his decades working at Triple M and Mix 102.3 that Mr Mulcahy kept side projects, from newsagents to parcel delivery and media training.
“I got to work with a number of the Adelaide radio greats and a lot left radio, not of their own accord, with nothing to go to,” he said.
“So I always had that in the back of my mind, that might happen to me.
“It didn’t – but I always had business on the side and they were doing well so I decided, that was enough of radio.”
He decided he wanted “one more shot” at building a business from the ground up – unlike the others.
“This was one where I thought, I want to build something from ground zero. At the time, craft breweries were an emerging industry and it just felt right.”
So, about 10 years ago, he headed TAFE, “looking for a better brewer than me” and met former graphic designer Mr McCall.
“James went looking for someone with a bit of business background, and that’s how it worked,” he said.
“So we wanted to create something grand, beers with a point of difference. We’re looking more at the creams and the hazies, rather than the red IPAs. Our bestseller is the Nordic Hazy IPA, which people love.”
They began brewing and selling their beer for three years, before, in 2021, opened a taproom at Findon, right on the tail end of Covid.
“The restrictions still there so when we opened at Findon, we didn’t know any different – you had masks, the distancing – so it all got better from there.”
The cost-of-living crisis has forced the pair to find new markets – and, curiously, changed the age of their drinkers.
“People are tightening their belts and for a lot of people, craft beer is a luxury item, so we can be the first to go. We’re finding the age demographic of our drinkers has risen – the main core was previously 25-39, you’d have to say it’s plus 45 now.
“And we’re getting a lot of people plus 60 coming into the venue because they’re the ones with the disposable income.
“It’s the perfect storm – people are looking at different liquors such as hard lemonade or seltzers and some have gone back to the mainstream beers.”
To adapt and change, they’ve found new markets interstate.
“We’ve got the venue and we’ve got our beer we sell to about 200 places around Adelaide, but there has been a drop off at those outlets, so we’ve opened up markets interstate, which has kept us buoyant. So our volumes that we produce has dropped much, but our efforts to sell it has.”
Expansion plans are on the horizon – once the current crisis is over.
“Part of our plan pre this crisis was to open another venue by now, so that’s still on the cards, but we will have to wait until the economy improves.”
Yeo Haus
Suburb: Port Elliot
What started as a surf apparel store just off Port Elliot’s main street soon added on the best coffee in town – and then grew into a craft microbrewery with its own venue.
Assistant brewer Oscar Wardleworth, who also works behind the bar, said the independent brewer had expanded to a venue near the town’s oval because they wanted to a little more with their still-small “passion” project.
“We wanted to flesh out the venue out a bit and have an event space – it’s a bit of a dark spot for live music and events down here on the coast,” Mr Wardleworth said.
“When it comes to craft breweries, there’s just nothing much down here – but there’s a big population, it’s increasing quickly and there’s a huge appetite on the Fleurieu for craft beer.”
He said Yeo Haus, which was still focusing on its surf apparel side as well, is developing an approachable core range of craft beer with brewer Simon.
“It’s more of an introduction to craft beers for the region – there are no crazy brewing techniques, no big profiles.
“Yep, craft beer is a bit more expensive, but we feel like the community gains more by leaning into something produced within the region. And the beauty is everyone’s been so receptive to the venue.”
The brewery is now also a live music venue.
“We had a member of Jurassic 5 play a show, and it was one of the best shows I’ve ever seen – such an nice vibe, surf boards hanging up in the rafters,” Mr Wardleworth.
“Our point of difference is just the privilege that we get to do this in the first place.”
Vale Brewing
Suburb: McLaren Vale
For multi-award winning Vale Brewing – South Australia’s Champion Large Brewery as voted in 2020 – they remain committed to “building a beer utopia” from the historic vines of McLaren Vale.
Head of marketing, Chris Ilman, said Vale was established in 2008 with its flagship Vale Ale and had since added five core drinks and seasonal releases.
Its Tropic Ale earned the title of World’s Best Pale Ale at the 2022 World Beer Awards.
In 2017, Vok Beverages acquired Vale Brewing from Tim, Pete and Mike Collin, who had been the majority owners since the early stages of the business.
Vale has since opened a restaurant and bar offering “the best views “ of the Fleurieu Peninsula.
“It’s home to the original beer of McLaren Vale, accompanied by a sophisticated dining experience and the best views of the region with an integrated microbrewery that produce brewery fresh beer for sale at the restaurant,” Mr Ilman said.
“On site, we create food that we love to eat, using seasonal produce that is designed to be shared and of course compliment the reason we are here – beer.”
Kick Back Brewing
Suburb: Aldinga
Kick Back Brewing co-founder Brenton Schoemaker calls himself “a home brewer gone mad”, but his love for the craft has earned him the title of one of Aldinga’s most adored breweries since its 2021 opening.
Positioned in the heart of the beachy town, Mr Schoemaker believes his business has created an “alternative” for people in the area, providing a different experience to that offered by the nearby pubs.
“We find our environment is much more relaxed and inviting to those age groups, the kids have space to run around the grass and have fun. As much as we’re a brewery, we’re a pure hospitality business,” he said.
“Most days I feel like I’m not working which is awesome. It’s kind of a nice thing going in and doing what you love to do every day. Being that close to the beach is pretty cruisy.”
Lady Burra Brewhouse
Suburb: Adelaide CBD
Lady Burra was Adelaide’s first CBD microbrewery, and has long been the go-to spot for city slickers to indulge in an ice cold pint after work.
The brewhouse is at the base of an office tower on the corner of Currie St and Topham Mall, and is fitted out with a mix of raw timber and industrial metal scaffolding.
A deck extends out into the adjacent laneway looked over by a huge mural of “Lady Burra”.
Little Bang
Suburb: Stepney
Local craft brewer Little Bang Brewing Co. was one of the first craft brewers to emerge on the Adelaide scene, helping to kickstart a local industry that has since attracted global attention and investment.
Since they were established in 2013 by business partners Fil Kemp and Ryan Davidson, Duxton Pubs acquired the Stepney-based brewery and tap room in 2022 to offer Little Bang extra resources to further expand their distribution, Duxton Pubs co-founder Ed Peter said.
“It means the Little Bang team can grow through our reach in the hospitality space, while continuing to brew the amazing beers they are known for,” he said.
“We’re super excited to work with them on growing the Little Bang brand, which will still continue to be available in existing hotels and bottle shops, as well as a host of new ones both within South Australia and nationally.”
Smiling Samoyed
Suburb: Myponga
Smiling Samoyed was founded in 2012 by husband and wife Simon Dunstone and Kate Henning after their love for home brewing got “out of control”.
Together, the pair decided to take their passion to the next level and open their own brewery, named after their two Samoyed dogs Hoppy and Kent – with Hoppy even winning the ‘Brewery Dog of the Year’ title in 2018.
The award-winning brewery now offers a 12 Paws pale ale, a dark ale, an Australian Kolsch and an IPA, along with local wines, ciders, spirits and soft drinks.
“Our first brew was in 2013,” Kate said. “We both had a shared passion in brewing and were looking for career changes.
“We enjoy it (working together) but we do understand that it’s not for everyone. I mostly handle the front-of-house stuff and he handles the brewing.
“One of the real joys is where our location is, being right next to the Myponga reservoir … coming into work and seeing the kangaroos.
“Being able to serve beers to our customers is really rewarding.”
Coopers Brewery
Suburb: Regency Park
Not only is Coopers the state’s largest independently-owned brewery, it’s also the country’s.
The beer tycoons, based in Regency Park, recently unveiled their new $70m visitor centre comprising of a microbrewery, whisky distillery, three bars and a restaurant capable of catering for a combined 400 people.
Coopers managing director Tim Cooper said the new development was “one of the most exciting projects we’ve undertaken in the 162-year history of Coopers Brewery”.
“Our team has been humbled by the public’s interest, excitement and support as this impressive building has taken shape,’’ Dr Cooper said.
“Coopers is very proud to have created a highly unique and immersive experience that ultimately celebrates the very best of Australian beer.
“We look forward to welcoming visitors from across Australia and overseas into our new home.’’
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Originally published as Vale, Little Bang, Lady Burra, Shapeshifter: Every independent craft beer brewery in SA and where to find them
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