Seven Queensland Breweries Worth a Road Trip

The Brisbane area is damn lucky to have an ever-growing list of craft breweries right on its doorstep. But with so many awesome spots popping up all around Queensland, why not expand your horizons beyond the city? The state is home to breweries of all kinds, from the small and family-run operations to ones focusing on wildlife conservation and making beer with rainwater — you name it, you've got it. Here are seven Queensland breweries that are worth a road trip.

MOFFAT BEACH BREWING COMPANY

Sunshine coast mainstay, Blackwater Trading Co. opened its own brewery last year in the form of Moffat Beach Brewing Company, showcasing the beers of long-time homebrewer and owner Matt Wilson. The bar is a favourite of locals with its regular live gigs, from jazz and rock to funk and blues bands, along with the classic combo of pub grub and fresh seafood. Now, the guest taps hang alongside the Moffat brews on an extended eight-tap bar — one of which is the newly released grapefruit and blood orange IPA, a seasonal brew that is even more incentive to take that road trip sooner rather than later. If you miss out, their Voodoo Lady chocolate milk porter is a great reason to travel in cooler months — let's face it, who wouldn't want chocolate milk in beer form?

12 Seaview Terrace, Moffat Beach.

FORTITUDE BREWING COMPANY

Fortitude Brewing Company was created back in 2012 and their emphasis is on consistency. Situated at the top of Tamborine Mountain in the Gold Coast hinterland, the location immediately makes the beer taste fresher and crisper. The building itself has a log cabin vibe and is overall an ideal spot to laze the day away. The company trades under two names, the second being Noisy Minor, which is the creative, loud cousin of the sessionable Fortitude brews. On the Noisy Minor side, go for the limited release Bad Wolf IPA — a big, bold beer at 8.8 percent ABV and a must-try for hop lovers. For the sensible folk, the Drifter summer ale is perfect for balmy weather.

165 Long Road, Eagle Heights.

HEMINGWAY'S BREWERY

Hemingway's Brewery is all about keeping it local and embracing its Port Douglas surroundings. Using all Australian hops, locally-sourced malts and water from Mossman Gorge, Hemingway's is a truly Aussie as. It's the perfect stop on a road trip, as the owners are lovers of adventure and there's no greater adventure than a beer one. The Kick Back ginger beer should be on that journey — infused with ginger, the drink is a fruity and spicy combo. On the food side, they've got southern fried popcorn chicken ($14) and ginger steamed mussels ($16), along with the requisite burgers ($22-24) and stone-fired pizzas ($19-24). Their boardwalk and upstairs deck overlook the pristine marina, allowing patrons to enjoy a nice seaside breeze with each sip which is a hard experience to beat.

The Reef Marina, 44 Wharf Street, Port Douglas.

4 HEARTS BREWING PUMPYARD BAR AND BREWERY

4 Hearts Brewing is the first production brewery in Ipswich since the early 1900s and is located in a 100-year-old heritage building. The interior plays to its industrial roots with a lofty, warehouse fit-out and exposed brick interior. It isn't just the space that celebrates history, either — 4 Hearts' throwback beers do the same. This is especially true of the Nineteen Ten, an old-world, barley wine-style beer, named for the year the pumpyard was built. They're also using beer extensively in the menu, which consists of bar food like the chilli barbecue-glazed chicken wings and chorizo empanadas ($12 each). Don't forget about the burgers and hand-rolled pizzas ($14–18), which are made using 4 Hearts pale ale breads and dough.

88 Limestone Street, Ipswich.

BARGARA BREWING COMPANY

Bargara Brewing Company is worth a visit for its eco-friendly nature alone — all of their beer is made using 100 percent rainwater, a boast we doubt many other breweries can make. They also give you the chance to do some good with your beer bucks — 50 percent of all profits on their Great Barrier Beer, an unusual and delicious mid-strength IPA, goes towards the Australian Marine Conservation Society. Another beer to seek out while you're up here is there Ginja Ninja, brewed using three additions of locally-grown ginger. Once you get peckish, a simple menu of pizzas and beer snacks will keep your beer belly happy.

10 Tantitha Street, Bundaberg.

BARRIER REEF BREWING CO.

The Barrier Reef Brewing Co 's owner Cameron McPherson is, strangely enough, a qualified veterinary surgeon. His brewery splits his love of wildlife with his passion for brewing and nicely bridges the gap between conservation efforts and good beer — their flagship pale ale was brewed in association with the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre and the turtles of the area are featured in their logo. The beers are created with the tropical Cairns climate in mind, with a focus on refreshing, bright fruity notes like passionfruit and citrus. If you only have one beer here, it has to be the pilsner, which won the TNQ Beer Awards 2016 for best overall craft beer.

17 Johnston Street, Cairns.

GRANITE BELT BREWERY

Granite Belt Brewery focuses on the small batch brews, only brewing 20 kegs of any given beer at a time. This includes their Stanthorpe Apple Ale, which is brewed using fresh apple juice and is a major drawcard to the brewery in itself. If you're keen to try a few, the four-course 'beeregustation' includes the best of the menu, along with four beer tasters ($50-55). If you're more into classic pub food, the fish and chips ($19) and the truckload of wings ($20) will hit the spot and both go well with the Granite pilsner. The best day to come up is Saturdays, when live music a go, with a separate kids room keeping both singles and parents happy.

146 Glenlyon Drive, Stanthorpe.