From Melbourne’s CBD out to regional Victoria, these craft breweries are a must visit in 2023!
There’s nothing better than relaxing with a couple of mates with a beer in hand.
Victoria is a state teeming with tremendous creative talent, and that shows in their craft beer breweries – from tropical-inspired decor to majestic views of Victoria’s beautiful scenery, each brewery has its own unique charm that manifests in the dazzling range of beer they have on offer. So whether you prefer a decadent stout or a refreshing lager, heading to a local brewery or craft beer pub is one of the best experiences for a Victorian beer lover.
Photographed by Jake Roden. Image supplied.
Bad Shepherd Brewing Co.
Looking for a brewery in the south-east of Melbourne? We’ve found one pub to put on your list. Meet Bad Shepherd Brewing Co. Led by a husband and wife team, they’ve got everything covered in this Cheltenham-based venue. Perfect for relaxing with mates, Bad Shepherd Brewing Co. is also a great brewery to source, you guessed it, beer.
Photographed by Nils Versemann. Image via Shutterstock.
Bridge Road Brewers
If you’re looking for the whole experience, Bridge Road Brewers is the place to go. Housed in a building that exemplifies traditional Australian architecture, with a menu inspired by co-founder Maria Alpine’s roots (i.e. plenty of pizza on offer), it’ll suit any beer-drinking occasion. Bridge Road Brewers even hosts brewery tours on a Saturday morning so you can learn more about any favourite beers you might’ve tried. After one visit you’ll soon realise why they’ve made our list as one the best breweries in Victoria.
Photographed by Robert Blackburn. Image via Visit Victoria.
Bright Brewery
Named after a town with surroundings just as stunning as the name suggests, Bright Brewery overlooks the beautiful Ovens River and pays homage to its hometown by using natural ingredients and being solar powered. They are just as environmentally conscious as their beer is refreshing to drink, Bright Brewery has a magnificent range of brews on tap, and there’s live music every Sunday afternoon. It’s not just for locals either – the brewery has also taken home the gold in the 2017 Victorian Tourism Awards. One craft brewery in regional Victoria you must visit in 2023!
Photographed by Meritt Thomas. Image via Unsplash.
Hop Nation Brewing Co.
Welcome to Hop Nation Brewing Co. – where two friends with a healthy appetite for life and good beer turned their business into one of the now best breweries in Victoria. Housed in a beautiful, open-spaced brick building with a past life as a factory, here their natural beers are fermented on site, giving them the freedom of 15 taps to share with eager customers. There’s even a selection of non-alcoholic drinks, ciders and local wines to enjoy. Plus, so everyone can join in, dogs are allowed onsite but on leash.
Image via Visit Victoria.
Little Creatures, Geelong
Why not elevate your Victorian craft beer brewery experience by visiting this brewery village in Geelong, Little Creatures. Specialising in hop beer, Geelong’s edition of Little Creatures has all the elements of a bustling community. With the Furphy Cinemas in the summer, a vibrant Mystery Lane and a White Rabbit Barrel Hall, there’s even a canteen to grab a bite before heading out to enjoy the sunshine. We’ll cheers to that!
Photographed by Janemf1. Image via Shutterstock.
Moon Dog Craft Brewery
Want some time to relax but can’t afford a tropical holiday? Head over to Moon Dog Craft Brewery in Abbotsford where you can find craft beers like no other. Located in the heart of the CBD, this craft beer brewery in Melbourne combines eclectic pieces with a rustic space giving Moon Dog a modern vibe. Much to their websites promise, “[they’ll] put pretty much anything into a beer if we think it will taste good.”
Image supplied.
Mornington Peninsula Brewery
Not so much a Mornington secret as it is an Australian craft beer legend, the Mornington Peninsula Brewery is nevertheless nestled away in the suburb. With a rustic beer garden and a comforting atmosphere to complement the industrial look and the excellent beers. And, for the Victorian beer lovers out there, they certainly do have quite a range available – from core to seasonal to specialty beers, as well as #tinnage beers in a range of colourful designs.
Photographed by Thais Do Rio. Image via Unsplash.
Mountain Goat Brewery
If you’ve enjoyed buying Mountain Goat beers from suppliers, go back to where it all started in Richmond, Melbourne. And, making this list of the top breweries in Victoria, you just know that their beers live up to their tremendous reputation by taking home two trophies and three gold, silver and bronze medals at the 2017 Australian International Beer Awards. The team are always guaranteeing that you’re in good hands, why not schedule in a visit or just pop on by for a cold one at one of the best craft beer breweries in Melbourne.
Photographed by Seth Weisfeld. Image via Unsplash.
Stomping Ground Brewery & Beer Hall
Stomping Ground’s founders have really covered their ground – after starting both The Local Taphouse and GABS Beer, Cider & Food Fest they took their beer-brewing expertise to their very own stomping ground in Collingwood. Functioning as an expansive restaurant, this brewhouse is perfect for a family outing or a night out with friends. With beers-to-go and free tours of the brewery at noon on the weekends, you just have to visit these guys in 2023.
Photographed by Aishah Mulkey. Image via Unsplash.
Two Birds Brewing
Welcome to Victoria’s best craft beer brewery! You might think that all birds do is chirp and fly around, but it seems they make beer too. As the first female-owned brewery in Australia, Two Birds Brewing is a place to pay attention to. Since beginning operations in 2011, they’ve crafted a lengthy range of exquisite beers for their beloved audience, concentrating on story and flavour to create a unique experience.
Nothing goes better with beer than burgers. So why not grab hold of a whopper at the 10 Best Burger Joints in Melbourne of 2023! Or, round up your mates for a classic pub feed at these Top Beer Gardens in Melbourne.
To help to get you hopping on your way, we’ve found the 10 best craft beer breweries in Victoria of 2023.