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Putting Western Australia on the Map
Margaret River, the western-most region in Australia, is well known for its prized wine scene. Cabernets and Chardonnays from the area are up there with the best in the country. Still, few visitors know Margaret River is also a thriving hot spot for beer enthusiasts; craft breweries in the region certainly check all the right boxes.
If you’re a beer lover, Margaret River will feel like a playground; even if you’re not all that into beer, the crafty breweries in Margaret River are fun and friendly destinations that will surely become a highlight of your trip. Always best to hire a private driver for the day
Here are our favourite Margaret River breweries; they’re all worthy of a visit! You can taste them all in a day, super fast pub crawl style, or just a few on a Margaret River brewery tour
Beerfarm
Beerfarm is more than just a brewery in Margaret River; it’s a working farm! Once exclusively a dairy farm, the 160-acre estate is now mainly a brewery with farming as a side gig. The project is really focused on sustainability and a low carbon footprint; everything here is done with the environment in mind.
The beer at Beerfarm is varied. You’ll find everything, from lagers to cider, really, and everything in between, including some of the most vibrant IPAs in the area. The brewery has a solid core range, but they release limited-edition brews constantly, so you never know what to expect.
As for the food, Beerfarm has some of the best steaks in the area, and it’s easy to see why — they raise their own Black Angus cows. The brewery’s tavern-like restaurant has a lovely ambience, and it’s fantastic for tasting their brews during lunch. Expect a young crowd and great energy. Beerfarm is more than beer, that’s for sure.
Beer to try:
Calm Ya Farm Pale Ale, India Pale Lager, West Coast Lager, Cider.
Where at?
177 Gale Road, Metricup, 6280. Western Australia.
Notes:
Weekdays from 11am to 5pm. Weekends 11am to 6pm. Food service is available. Outdoor sitting. Pet friendly. Booking required. In summer there is a slide waterslide for the kids
Black Brewing Co
Black Brewing Co is always in motion. The team behind this energetic brewery is always looking for new ways of exciting their fans and visitors. The brewery describes its beers as “uncompromising,” and they’re not lying. You can taste the quality of the ingredients and the team’s passion in every sip of beer or gin. Yes, Black Brewing makes gin.
This Wilyabrup brewery is also a micro-distillery, and they make a fragrant gin under the brand Dune Distilling Co — they use local botanicals for their aromatic spirit. Enjoy the company’s beer and spirits in their own back yard, their lovely balcony or beer garden — have a slice of pizza and a beer sampler paddle, all with a great atmosphere and knowledgeable staff.
Beer-wise, Black Brewing’s core range is pretty standard, but the specialities are out of this world. Smokey black IPAs, sour beers and authentic drinkable desserts make Black Brewing beer super fun to try.
Beer to try:
Hazy Pale ale, Banana Split Dunkel Weisse, Bao Bao Milk Stout, Strawberry Sour, Yallingup Pink Gin.
Where at?
3517 Caves Road, Wilyabrup. Western Australia
Notes:
Every day from 11am to 5pm. Restaurant, tasting room and cellar door available. Gin tastings are available. Booking is available but not necessary for small groups except long weekends and public holidays its adviseable.. Wedding and event packages are available.
Cowaramup Brewing Company
Named after its hometown, Cowaramup, this craft brewery opened in 2006. Cowara is the aboriginal name for a local purple lorikeet.
This brewery has a brewhouse, a restaurant and a bar. You’ll also enjoy family-friendly gardens and play areas around the restaurant’s main deck. The communal areas here feel like a traditional beer garden and invite you to spend the day here, especially on sunny days.
Cowaramup Brewery makes excellent lagers and ales; in fact, their Pilsner is one of the most refreshing brews in the area. There’s a strong German influence here, and you can tell by the beer selection.
After fifteen years as part of Margaret River’s craft brew scene, Cowaramup is one of the area’s best known and most respected projects. This is a family-owned estate, and the folks here really make you feel at home.
Beer to try:
Cowaramup Pilsner, Cowaramup Hefeweizen, Lightsign Summer Ale, Porter.
Where at?
229 North Treeton Road Cowaramup, Western Australia
Notes:
Sunday to Friday 11am to 5pm, Saturday 11am to 6pm. Weddings and function areas are available. Weekly events. Restaurant service available until 3pm, with pizza still available until closing time. Beer tours are available
Bootleg Brewery
Founded in 1994, Bootleg Brewery has become a family-friendly destination for locals and visitors alike. There’s something for everyone here. Nestled in Margaret River’s countryside, visiting Bootleg Brewery feels like an outdoor excursion, but with beer. Hey, they have a lake and all!
This place might make you feel like going camping, but the beer here is good; Bootleg’s brews have earned more than a few awards; ales, in general, are refreshing and aromatic, and they have a few thirst-quenching lagers as well. Ask for the seasonal beer — they always have something good brewing in the back.
Now, if it’s a hearty lunch you’re looking for, the Bootleg Burger is on another level, but they also offer salads, sandwiches and pizza. The brewery’s restaurant is also the right place to try a full tasting tray with eight different beers for a great price.
Beer to try:
Session Aussie Pale, Toms Amber, New World Lager, Juicy Pale Ale, Raging Bull Dark Ale.
Where at?
37 Wildberry Rd, Wilyabrup 6280, Western Australia
Notes:
Open every day from 11am to 4pm. Covered and outdoor areas available, Family-friendly. Play area for kids. Pet friendly. Smoking Area, Tasting Menu available. Reservations recommended.
Margaret River Brewhouse
You’ll find Margaret River Brewhouse at the heart of the region, in Margaret River’s town. Locals know the brewery’s brewpub very well, but there’s always a table reserved for curious travellers looking for good local beer and a bite.
Brewhouse’s highlights from their core range include a rich Kolsch, a vibrant red IPA, and perhaps the best ginger beer in town. The seasonal beers are fantastic as well — if you’re in luck, order a Ruckus Raspberry Pepper sour beer or a Drifter Blood Orange Gose. Otherwise, order whatever they have in season, you won’t be disappointed.
Environmentally friendly and committed to the community, Brewhouse is a great project overall; their brews are creative, and their labels are artsy. It comes without saying the ambience at Brewhouse is lively and the food sophisticated. If you’re in town, this is your go-to brewery for a quick lunch or a musical evening with drinks.
Beer to try:
Red IPA, Megsy Ginger Beer, English Brown Ale, Ruckus Raspberry Pepper.
Where at?
35 Bussell Highway, Margaret River. Western Australia
Notes:
Monday to Thursday 11am to 7pm; Weekends 11am to 9pm. Takeout and delivery available. Restaurant with outdoor seating. Live music.
Colonial Brewing Co
“Keeping things uncomplicated” that’s the motto at Colonial Brewing Co. This is an exciting project that’s been brewing not-your-typical beer since 2004. With locations in both Margaret River and Port Melbourne, Colonial Brewing is one of the largest craft breweries in the area, and they’re relatively well known — their beer is just too good to miss.
There aren’t many beer options here, but Colonial Brewing offers something for every taste and occasion. The brewery’s sour beers are amongst their most famous creations, but they make beer in all styles; they even have a barrel-aged ale, and they also make cider!
Colonial Brewing puts together tasting sessions regularly, and they offer food/lunch options. This Margaret River brewery has a lovely outdoor seating area with plenty of space for fun and games. There’s a welcoming community at Colonial Brewing, so the ambience is always festive and there is even an aqua golf game which keeps everyone entertained
Beer to try:
South West Sour Watermelon Raspberry, Citrus X.P.A., Tropical lager, Barrel Project “Rubus” Wild Ale.
Where at?
Margaret River, 29 Osmington Rd, Bramley, Western Australia
Notes:
Most days open from 12pm to 5:30pm. We recommend booking for large groups. Live music on weekends. Inside and outside seating. Restaurant service. Weekly events.
Wild Hop Brewing Company
Last but not least, the trendy Wild Hop Brewing Company has a 1200 beer-making capacity, which they use to create, you guessed it, hoppy beers. This is a family-owned operation and one of the friendliest brewpub breweries in Yallingup.
As for the beer, there’s no core range here but specialities that change with the seasons. Wild Hop doesn’t bottle or can its beers either — it’s either straight from the keg or nothing, which is a bummer if you wanted to take some of their amazing brews home with you.
The brewery’s kitchen is just as spontaneous. Here, a wood-fired rotisserie oven allows the chefs to craft fantastic, smoky meals, from Wagyu steak and smoked brisket to vegetarian alternatives, including one mean Korean cauliflower.
Beer to try:
Czech Pilsner, apple cider and anything on tap, usually up to 11 options available.
Where at?
1301 Wildwood Road, Yallingup, Western Australia
Open every day from 10:45 to 6pm. Restaurant service is available until 5pm. Stylish indoor and outdoor seating areas. Kid and pet friendly. Bookings are recommended.