The Gold Coast’s craft beer scene is rapidly gaining recognition as one of the best in Australia. New boutique breweries are popping up across the region, which means we’re blessed with an abundance of unique brews made right here on our doorstep. It also means we’re spoilt for choice with plenty of venues to visit when we feel like meeting up for some locally brewed beverages, feasting on exceptional pub food or taking a behind-the-scenes brewery tour to learn more about the finer points of beer production.
These Gold Coast breweries are creating some unique and award-winning ales, pilsners, largers, stouts and sours that have put us on the map when it comes to Australian beer. Keen for a coldie on the Goldie? We feel a pub crawl coming on…
BOBS BEER
This Surfers Paradise newbie is an absolute delight, behold with copper beer taps, glossy tiles and a glassed window behind the bar so you can witness the magic unfolding – which is obviously the beer being brewed. BOBs Beer brew plenty of impressive drops including an IPA, XPA and any number of limited edition brews. Right now, they’ve got a Techno Remix Hazy IPA with plenty of tropical fruit flavours and that pair perfectly with absolutely everything on their exceptional dining menu.
Where: 10/2 Elkhorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise
BLACK HOPS BREWERY
It began with three Gold Coast mates brewing a stout in their backyard and now Black Hops Brewing has grown into three local tap rooms – Burleigh Heads, Biggera Waters and Brisbane – and a portfolio of beers that are not only very tasty and multi-award winning but also boasting a huge range of unique flavours. There are drops like the Liquid Schwartz – a black coffee lager; the Caribbean Haze – a fruity, rum-soaked Hazy IPA and of course, all your regular faves too.
Where: 15 Gardenia Grove, Burleigh Heads and 671 Pine Ridge Road, Biggera Waters
PRECINCT BREWING
The Miami-based brewery opened in late 2020, much to the delight of pretty much everyone. It’s the work of hospitality heavyweight Scott Imlach and his team, so there was never any doubt it was going to be a good one. The bright, airy space is home to not only a slew of locally brewed frothies, but a menu packed with wood-fired pizzas, weekly trivia and of course, live music. All the best drinking accompaniments. Precinct Brewing has created sips including a Tropical Stout and a Strawberry Sour and take it from us, everything is delicious.
Where: 17 Christine Avenue, Miami
BURLEIGH BREWING CO.
One of the Coast’s original breweries, Burleigh Brewing Co. has long been a favourite amongst locals and it’s not hard to see why. They are the masters when it comes to delicious, easy drinking drops like Burleigh Mid-Tide – their mid strength brew; Bighead – a full strength, low carb beer and their beloved Pale Ale, Burleigh 28 to name a few. Their brewery, found out the back of Burleigh Heads, also offers a beautiful outdoor area too, perfect for those balmy beer drinking evenings.
Where: 2 Ern Harley Drive, Burleigh Heads
AWOL
From the team who gifted us Black Hops Brewing comes AWOL, the newest brewery of the bunch and perhaps the most unique of all. They’re serving up barrel-aged beers, sours in particular and they are some of the tastiest sips around. The tap room opened only a few short months ago and it’s all textured whites with pops of greenery. On tap you’ll find drops like Hibiscus Haven – a cherry flavoured sour, and Pink Mist – an award-winning Raspberry Sour. This is Gold Coast beer that’s getting international accolades – cheers to that!
Where: 4 Hibiscus Haven, Burleigh Heads
LOST PALMS BREWING CO.
You won’t miss this Miami beauty. It’s a bright pink brewery complete with a basketball hoop and a local food truck parked in the corner, because what could be better than a hotdog and a brew or two? Lost Palms Brewing Co. are known for their fruity concoctions and colourful cans and every single brew that’s ever come out of there has been absolute gold. Think Hibiscus and Guava Sour Ale, a Gold Coast Bitter, and a Peach Hard Seltzer that’s as good as seltzer gets.
Where: 11 Oak Ave, Miami
FORTITUDE BREWING CO.
A microbrewery found at the lovely Mount Tamborine, Fortitude Brewing Co. is serving up fresh beer and gourmet pizza with a side of crisp mountain air. The perfect trio. With a sizeable line-up of brews including a Lager, Summer Ale, Pale Ale and Stout, you’re certain to find something to quench your thirst. The team also brew a yummy Roots and Leaves Ginger Beer plus limited release drops like a Smoked Pineapple and Jalapeno Stout, a Milk Stout and an Anzus IPA.
Where: 165 Long Road, Mt Tamborine
THE LUCKY SQUIRE
No doubt the word “squire” rings a bell when it comes to talking about breweries and that is because Broadbeach’s latest brewery comes from a long line of drinking holes. Fancy ones at that. The Lucky Squire is no exception found within the Oracle precinct and serving the entire range of James Squire craft beers. Not only that, the venue offers an impressive dining menu packed with eats in both the share-style and keep-to-yourself-style varieties. All the good things.
Where: 3 Oracle Boulevard, Broadbeach
BALTER BREWING COMPANY
With a name that precedes it, Balter Brewing Company quickly became an international phenomenon the minute it was announced. Started by a (very well known) group of childhood friends who happen to be pro-surfers. With a mission statement of ‘good beer, with enjoyment’ the Currumbin brewery was loved before it even opened. Today the team are brewing many a tasty drop including their latest release, Handsome Elvis, a mind-blowing Nitro Milk Stout and regulars like Captain Sensible (mid-strength) and all the usual craft beer suspects.
Where: 14 Traders Way, Currumbin Waters
HOP ON BREWERY TOURS
Beer tasting and driving don’t mix so delegate chauffeur duties and join Hop On Brewery Tours for a full or half day of beer-based adventures. They’ll do more than drive your around though. The tour guides are a triple treat with their connection to the local beer scene, knowledge of the brewing process and access to the best beer in town. You’ll walk away after an awesome day out with a whole new appreciation for the amber liquid, even if you’re not normally a beer drinker. Prices are fully inclusive of beer samples, meals, brewery tours and air-conditioned transport.
If you enjoyed this story, check out: Gold Coast Wineries You Need To Visit.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Destination Gold Coast acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region.
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters and their extended communities throughout Southeast Queensland.