Pour One Out: One of the First Big Names of Brisbane's Craft Beer Scene, Newstead Brewing Co Has Shut Down
As the River City was closing down ahead of Tropical Cyclone Alfred, so was this favourite — but permanently, sadly.
When Brisbane was initially started to make a name for itself in the craft beer world, Newstead Brewing Co was one of the driving forces. Just over a decade later, the early pioneer in helping ensure that the River City wasn't just known for XXXX has closed its doors. The brand was no longer based in the suburb that shares its name, but said goodbye to its Milton site — just down the road from XXXX, in fact — before Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
As Brissie was closing down ahead of the wild weather, so was this favourite — but permanently, sadly. Newstead Brewing Co announced the news afterwards, via a social media statement on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. "It's a sad time for Brisbane craft beer and our beloved industry," the message begins.
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In its farewell, the Newstead Brewing Co crew looks back fondly on its beginnings, plus what came next, then notes the impact of the 2022 floods, and how it avoided closure at the time but is now saying goodbye.
"Thirteen years ago, the beginning of the craft beer movement in Brisbane was wild. Discovering what hops in beer were was total transcendence; it was new and exciting. Filled with optimism, incredible collabs with international icons and style exploration, along with its fair share of ego. Being an OG of an industry, you aren't immune to being taken advantage of nor making mistakes."
"Be it our generosity and trust sometimes besting our common sense, the great brand confusion of 2021 or a mid-strength lager with a big cow on the can, we have certainly learned some lessons along the way. While I'm sure all Brisbanians will have a Newstead story to share, Newstead Brewing's story certainly isn't singular. Where it does walk the line of uniqueness though, is in its shear grit," the message goes on.
"Three years ago, after a crippling pandemic that bought the industry to its knees, we flooded. The humbling of that moment sparked a massive focus on integrity and authenticity. It was do or die. So we dug deep and did!"
"At our core, we have always been a small family business. Built on a deep passion for pushing boundaries and exploring possibilities. With an enthusiasm to be a part of something wonderful and contribute to building a community and an industry. We could have been forgiven for closing the doors after the floods of 2022 and the experience of watching nine years of our hard work go under water. But something amazing happened. Those who were 'meant' to show up didn't and those who did show up, were meant to."
Of the period since those floods, "it's been an inspiring three years and every single one of our team were integral to every breath Newstead took, so it's heartbreaking for us all, that in these times of industry crisis, we just couldn't weather this final storm," the crew advises. "The old girl is done."
"We leave with our heads held high. All of our work was not for nothing. We kept the heart beating of an industry that needs help from its friends right now and we proved that passionate authenticity, heart and sheer grit truly do make an impactful difference."
In its prime, Newstead Brewing Co not only boasted its original location on Doggett Street — which it left in 2023 — and its second home in Milton, but also a taphouse inside Brisbane Airport's domestic terminal.
"From Doggett Street to Milton, it has been an honour serving you all. If anything can be taken from Newstead Brewing's story, it's to remain humble, keep evolving and bettering yourselves and please support your mates," the closure statement continued.
Newstead Brewing Co has closed its doors at 67 Castlemaine Street, Milton — head to the brewery's website for more details.
