The Craft Beer Crawl

WORDS | Janine Pittaway

Whether you’re a beer connoisseur or just curious about the craft beer phenomenon, you’ll love the latest innovations from our region’s best brewers.

THE CRAFT BEER industry is booming in the south west with 13 breweries in the Margaret River Region alone.

We’ve done the hard yards to help you plan your next brewery daycation with some top thirst-quenching experiences.

Busselton

Rocky Ridge’s inviting taphouse provides a homely base to sample up to 25 beers on tap, complemented by tasty meals and snacks by Margaret River Burger Co.

What was once Managing Director Hamish Coates’ grandparent’s cottage, the friendly venue has recently expanded, opening the backyard to create more seating and undercover space to welcome more beer enthusiasts.

Taps rotate weekly, with local collaborations and produce a speciality in Rocky’s beers.

Also keeping it local is Shelter Brewing Co. From squid ink XXPA to surf wax sour, you can

taste Busso in their beers while soaking up the stunning views over Busselton Jetty. Take a brewery tour for a behind-the-scenes look at the brewing process and taste beer straight from the tank. Stay for lunch and dinner and choose from a tasty menu that includes plenty of options for a range of dietary requirements.

Vasse

Take a surprising detour off the tourist trails into the light industrial area for two terrific craft beer experiences.

Cheeky Monkey Brewing Co’s production facility has a secret taphouse for those in the know to sample their latest releases and core range while sitting amongst the vast vats, barrels and bottling lines. Cheeky Monkey HQ Taphouse opens Thursday to Sunday from 4pm to 7pm also providing pizzas and snacks.

A stone’s throw down the road is WA’s smallest commercial brewery The Sophisticated Beast. It’s a one-man show but what it lacks in size it makes up for in the huge passion of owner Ryan White for his Farmhouse-style beer production. Ryan describes his brewery as a ‘fancy home brew set up’ and says visitors enjoy seeing the brewery in action and having the opportunity to talk to him about their shared love of brewing. Ryan studied viticulture in Margaret River and after working a vintage in Sonoma, California and seeing its flourishing craft beer movement, he transferred his love of the science of fermentation to beer, appreciating the ability to experiment and have fun. Pop in to taste the Beast’s core range – Margot, George, Leonard, Franco and Jack – and discover their unique personalities.

Eagle Bay

A visit to Eagle Bay Brewery is always special, with its views down the valley to Geographe Bay, but having narrowly escaped bushfires in January, fans of this 11-year-old family owned institution will be even more grateful to enjoy their quality range of beers, food and great atmosphere. Eagle Bay Brewing is now canning their core range and there’s some lip smacking single series beers planned for release throughout the year. Yallingup

Wild Hop Brewing Company could well be the only brewery in Australia where you can order a rotisserie chook when booking a table. Enjoy the shady beer garden or sit indoors in the relaxed atmosphere with open fire and views across the dam. Wild Hop is family, pooch and beer geek friendly. Their beers don’t come packaged so their brewpub is the best place to enjoy a great selection of batch brews.

Tucked under Aravina Estate’s restaurant terrace on the manicured lawn is 8 Waves Brewing Company taphouse. Enjoy a rotating beer range created by Aravina winemaker Dr Brad Hatton. Celebrating the region’s eight famous surf breaks, 8 Waves Brewing Co complements the WA Surf Gallery - a muchloved feature of Aravina Estate.

Kick off your boots, get your hands dirty and have a good time at The Beer Farm

Metricup

Kick your boots off, get your hands dirty and have a good time at Beerfarm. As a converted dairy farm, it stands out from the region’s upmarket offerings and, thanks to a permanent residency by Burnt Ends Smoking Co, visitors enjoy traditional BBQ straight from the smokers, featuring black angus beef direct from the surrounding paddocks. It’s a true paddock to plate experience, with the cattle fed spent grains from the brewing process reducing waste and providing great nutrition. Keep an eye out for their new native beer series in association with the Badgebup Aboriginal Corporation. A percentage of profits will go back to the Great Southern-based organisation.

Wilyabrup

It’s been a big few months for Black Brewing Co, winning Gold in the Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries category at the 2021 WA Tourism Awards, and welcoming new Head Brewer Praveen Bhat to the team. His brewing experience includes well known WA brands Gage Roads and Matso’s Brewing. The impressive beer selection is complimented by the Dune Distilling gin range featuring native botanicals. Enjoy a tasting paddle of beer or gin with lunch in the impressive dining hall, on the deck overlooking the dam or in the beer garden where dogs are also welcome.

TOP IMAGE: A visit to Aravina Estate will tick off both wine and craft beer. Margaret River

While we’re talking awards, Margaret River Brewhouse’s barrel aged imperial stout, Panther Cream is another winner, taking out successive Perth Royal Beer Awards from 2017 to 2021! The menu at this relaxed and friendly brewpub perched above the Margaret River is a winner in our eyes too. Popular menu staples include chilli salt squid salad & Wedge Island octopus plus firecracker sauce chicken wings and beef tacos. A lesser known gem, located in a picturesque setting on Treeton Road, Cowaramup Brewing Co is a long time favourite with the locals. The brewery serves up paddle board tastings and has a contemporary menu with tasty gluten free and vegan options (kingfish sashimi and Margaret River tempeh – yum!) as well as gourmet pizzas. All well washed down with one of their German-style Pilsners. If you’ve still got time to spare, swing by Colonial Brewing Co, and Bootleg Brewery to experience the region’s full craft beer offering.