🍺 Beer Barrel – Recommended Breweries
Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to explore some fantastic breweries. Many of these spots have become local icons, not just for beer enthusiasts but for everyone. What makes them special? Good, simple food with fast service, a wide range of beers (not just for connoisseurs), family-friendly spaces, outdoor entertainment, and seasonal or festival specials throughout the year.
Here’s my list of recommended breweries you should definitely check out 👇
Northern Territory
Alice Springs Brewing Company – Alice Springs
My current home brewery! A must-stop if you’re in town. Try Batch 37, their Stout, and don’t miss pairing the hot wings with an IPA.
đź”— alicespringsbrewingco.com.au
South Australia
Pirate Life Brewery – Port Adelaide
Huge range of beers and beverages with lots of seasonal changes. Super easy service with QR codes. Recommendation: the Hazy Pale Ale.
đź”— piratelife.com.au
Brightstar Brewery – Thebarton
Known for European-style beers and a special rotating tap. Recommendation: the Limoncello Sour.
đź”— brightstarbrewing.com.au
Coopers Brewery – Tap House, Regency Park
Not just the core range — you’ll find seasonal beers and a great food menu with perfect pairings. A true Adelaide classic.
đź”— coopers.com.au
Little Bang Brewery – Stepney
Almost hidden in the back streets but well worth the hunt. I’ve had some of the best stouts here.
đź”— littlebang.com.au
Big Shed – Royal Park
Fun, colourful beers and a lively vibe. Book ahead if you’re heading there on a weekend. Recommendations: Golden Stout Time or the Mango Sour (like drinking a mango in every glass).
đź”— bigshed.beer
SixTwelve Brewing – St Agnes
Another hidden gem with bold and strong beers. Approach carefully — these brews pack a punch!
đź”— sixtwelvebrewing.com.au
Mismatch Brewing Company – Adelaide CBD
A friendly brewery just a short walk if you’re staying on the south side of the CBD. Recommendation: the Chocolate Stout.
đź”— mismatchbrewingadl.com.au
Ministry of Beer – Barossa Valley (Lyndoch)
Tired of wine tasting? This is your stop. Famous for its wide range of sour beers.
đź”— ministryofbeer.com.au
Beer Garden Brewing – Port Lincoln
Set in a vibrant beer garden with live music. Recommendation: The Salty, a local favourite.
đź”— beergardenbrewing.com
Western Australia
Little Creatures – Fremantle
One of the first mainstream microbreweries in Australia and still one of my all-time favourites. Mussels and a Pale Ale here are a tradition.
đź”— littlecreatures.com.au
Bootleg Brewing – Margaret River
A family-friendly venue with a relaxed setting. Recommendation: Sou’ West Wheat.
đź”— bootlegbrewery.com.au
CBCo Brewing – Margaret River
I visited here at the finish line of the Cape to Cape mountain bike race. They did an incredible job catering for 1,500 thirsty riders. Recommendation: Pale Ale.
đź”— cbco.beer
Victoria
Forrest Brewing – Forrest
A small-town brewery surrounded by epic single-track mountain bike trails. A great stop if you’re heading towards the Great Ocean Road. Recommendation: the Stout.
đź”— forrestbrewing.com.au
Urban Alley Brewery – Melbourne Docklands
This one impressed me so much I tried 8 different beers in a single visit! Recommendation: Long Beach Dreamsicle IPA.
đź”— urbanalley.com.au
Queensland
Black Hops Brewing – Gold Coast
Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the Gold Coast. A chilled vibe, great merchandise, and excellent Pale Ale.
đź”— blackhops.com.au
Hemingway’s Brewery – Cairns & Port Douglas
Both venues are set along the waterfront with stunning views and delicious food. Recommendation: Pitchfork Betty Pale Ale.
đź”— hemingwaysbrewery.com
United States
Green Tree Brewery – Le Claire, Iowa
A small-town gem in America. Great people, and if you’re a fan of American Pickers, their shop is just down the road. Recommendation: Threat Level Hazy.
đź”— greentreebrewery.com
San Francisco Brewing Co – San Francisco, California
Some seriously strong beers here. Try the Puggles Porter (11%) or the Alcatraz Amber.
đź”— sfbrewingco.com
SeaQuake Brewing – Crescent City, California
Perfect stop if you’re visiting the redwoods. Stay for the night, enjoy the local fish on the menu, and pair it with the Space Sailor IPA.
đź”— seaquakebrewing.com
Steeplejack Brewing Co – Portland, Oregon
If beer is a religion, this is your cathedral — a brewery inside a church. Recommendation: Bench Dog Pale Ale.
đź”— steeplejackbeer.com
✨ That’s my roundup of breweries that have left a mark on me. Whether you’re after big bold stouts, crisp lagers, sour experiments, or just a fun place to relax with family and friends, there’s something here for everyone.
👉 Have a favourite brewery of your own? Drop us a line and share your recommendation!
🍻 Tap Beer Venues – My Favourite Watering Holes
Over the years I’ve dropped into some brilliant spots pouring great beer on tap. Browse my favourites below and tell me what you think.
Got your own recommendations? Drop us a line and share them!
Northern Territory
Epilogue Lounge – Alice Springs
One of my hometown favourites. I helped install the beer system here and have cleaned and maintained it ever since. They rotate beers regularly and serve a fine tapas menu.
đź”— https://www.epiloguelounge.com.au
Bo’s Jangles Saloon – Alice Springs
An awesome collection of memorabilia, and when there are events in town this place is worth a visit. 22 taps of beer.
đź”— https://bojanglessaloon.com
Lasseter’s Hotel & Casino – Alice Springs
The meeting place when visitors come to town. Try: Pirate Life Pale Ale.
đź”— https://www.lasseters.com.au
Devils Marbles Hotel – Wauchope
One of the very few roadside stops with 7 beers on tap. A good place to break the drive; in winter there’s live music and great steaks.
đź”— https://devilsmarbleshotel.com.au
South Australia
Earl of Leicester – Parkside
Just outside Adelaide CBD down a back street, this historic pub has a 100-beer club and huge schnitzels. Also pours local craft beers on tap.
đź”— https://www.earl.com.au
Stirling Hotel – Stirling
A very nice hotel in the Adelaide Hills with a large selection of craft beers.
đź”— https://www.stirlinghotel.com.au
The Wheatsheaf Hotel – Thebarton
Constantly changing beer list and a great supporter of microbreweries. Keep an eye out for the street festivals. Try: a nitro stout.
đź”— http://wheatsheafhotel.com.au
The Elephant British Pub – Adelaide CBD
Award-winning draught beer quality with a wide range of English and Irish beers on tap. Try: a Guinness on St Patrick’s Day.
đź”— https://theelephant.com.au
The Strathmore Hotel – Adelaide CBD
Check out the hanging beer fonts and stop by for lunch. Large range of beers on tap and a great spot to people-watch.
đź”— https://www.strath.com.au
Queensland
Breakfast Creek Hotel (Brekky Creek) – Brisbane
A must when in Brisbane. One of the last pubs serving beer off the wood and famous for its steaks.
đź”— https://www.breakfastcreekhotel.com
Western Australia
The Garden (Leederville Hotel) – Leederville
More of a foodie destination with a large range of tap beer. Great for brunch. Try: a Margaret River Brewery Kölsch.
đź”— https://www.thegardenleederville.com.au
United States
Yard House – Denver, Colorado
An impressive central island beer system with 130 beers on tap—I recognised only about ten!
đź”— https://www.facebook.com/YardHouseDenver
England
The Coal Hole – Strand, London
A 150-year-old pub full of history and cosy atmosphere. Grab a pint and a pie. Try: a local pale ale.
đź”— https://www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/restaurants/london/thecoalholestrandlondon#/
The Edgar Wallace – Temple, London
If you’re into vintage advertising, this pub is a must. Packed with character and named for The Edgar Wallace Mysteries (1960s TV series).
đź”— https://www.edgarwallacelondon.co.uk
The Round House – Covent Garden, London
A quaint little pub just far enough from the pricey tourist spots. Try: a traditional ale, and they do great toasties for lunch.
đź”— https://www.roundhousecoventgarden.co.uk
The Cricketers Arms – St Helens
A classic country pub with loads of character and a fair range of tap beers. Try: Forged Irish Stout.
đź”— https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Cricketers-Arms-100063707419141/
👉 Have a favourite I should add? Contact us and I’ll check it out next!
🍺 Draft Beer – My Go-To App: Untappd
Since mid-2021, my favourite way to track, rate, and discover new beers has been Untappd. It’s been a game-changer when travelling—especially in places where you don’t know the best venues to grab a pint.
The recommendations come straight from beer lovers themselves, so you’re getting honest, community-driven tips from people who live and breathe hops. Whether I’m looking for a hidden local gem or a popular brewery, Untappd has helped me find it.
👉 Want to connect? Add me as a friend on Untappd:
Beer Doctor
đź“ŤÂ Beer_Doctor_Australia, Alice Springs
đź”—Â Join me on Untappd
👉 Have a favourite beer or venue I should try? Let’s share a pint—virtually or in person—through Untappd. Cheers! 🍻
🍺Brewing – Preferred Suppliers
At The Beer Doctor, we believe that great beer starts with great equipment and trusted partners. Over the years we’ve worked with some of the best suppliers in the business to deliver the right solutions for our customers—whether it’s beer systems, kegs, or cutting-edge tap technology.
Browse my preferred suppliers below and check out their offerings:
Lancer Beverage Systems – Australia
One of the industry leaders in draught beer systems and cooling technology. Reliable, efficient, and built for Aussie conditions.
đź”— https://lancerbeverage.com
KegLand
Innovative gear for homebrewers and professionals alike. From kegs and fermenters to gas systems, they’ve got it all.
đź”— https://kegland.com.au
Andale Micromatic
A trusted supplier of beverage dispensing equipment. Their taps, couplers, and fittings keep the beer flowing smoothly.
đź”— https://andale-micromatic.com.au
BeerOx
Specialists in beer line cleaning and maintenance products. Essential for keeping every pint tasting as fresh as the brewer intended.
đź”— https://beerox.com.au
👉 Got a supplier you think I should add to my list? Contact us and let’s raise a glass to quality brewing! 🍻