Five Up-and-Coming Western Australian Breweries You Should Know and Support Right Now
Discover these top independent brews made in your own backyard — and vote for your favourite to be stocked in more BWS stores across the state.
Five Up-and-Coming Western Australian Breweries You Should Know and Support Right Now
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Discover these top independent brews made in your own backyard — and vote for your favourite to be stocked in more BWS stores across the state.
The beer world is filled with big names, heavy hitters and brands that you'll find almost anywhere around the globe. They're all well and good (and tasty), and everyone has heard of them. But, whether you're having a cold one after work or throwing back a few tins on a weekend, there's nothing quite like supporting a top-notch local brew.
Perhaps it's the fact that the beer you're enjoying was made so close to home. Maybe it's the feeling of knowing that you're showing some love to folks in your own community. We think it's both, actually — because sipping and celebrating a top homegrown brew is one of life's small but still significant pleasures.
As everyone across the state is well aware, Western Australia has a healthy beer scene — and we're sure you're knocking back local brews rather often. Still, if you need a few pointers, or you're just keen to support nearby breweries every chance you get, we're here to help. We've teamed up with our pals at BWS to highlight five WA-based up-and-comers you should add to your must-drink list. And whether you already know and love them, or you're discovering them for the first time, you can also throw some extra support their way by voting for them to be stocked in more BWS stores across the state.
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Beer and wine often jostle against each other, vying for your tastebuds’ attention. At Eagle Bay, however, both are actually on the menu. This Western Australian company makes yeasty and grape-filled beverages at the same ocean-view property, doubling as a brewery and a vineyard — but, if you’re a beer lover, we know which’ll pique your interest. Indeed, with small-batch, easy-drinking lagers, pale ales and kolschs as part of its lineup, Eagle Bay has more than a few brews worth getting excited about. All three and the rest of the company’s range are made according to the German purity law, so that means they’re made from freshly harvested rainwater, malted barley, yeast and hops at a minimum. And, that’s been the case for almost ten years now.
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Located in Busselton, Rocky Ridge Brewing Co prides itself on being off the grid and self-sufficient. Its brews are made on a family farm, use local ingredients, support produce from other nearby farmers and growers, and favour a paddock-to-plate (or cup or growler) approach. But there’s a big difference between not leaving an eco-footprint and not making a splash. Rocky Ridge can’t claim the latter. Don’t worry — it wouldn’t want to. This is a brewery that has a peach IPA as part of its core range, after all. Also on offer among its limited-edition brews: a custard tart stout, sticky date stout, Iced VoVo stout, choc-coconut porter, watermelon pale ale and triple-choc honeycomb brown ale.
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If you’re going to brew beer anywhere in Western Australia, the Margaret River region is a mighty fine pick. Beerfarm does just that — and, as we’re guessing you’ve already gleaned, it does so on an actual farm. As well as paddocks of grass and grain, its Metricup site also boasts a roving herd of Black Angus cattle. Unsurprisingly, sustainability, being socially and environmentally conscious, and making top brews from natural ingredients are all on the agenda here. Well, that and finding the balance between solid regular brews and experimental new additions. A highlight: the sweet and sour tastes of Beerfarm’s Asam Boi Gose, made in collaboration with Smith Street Taps in Singapore. Now that’s something you don’t get to drink every day.
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These days, IPAs seem to be everywhere. Everyone’s making them, selling them and drinking them, basically. There’s a reason for that, with this hoppy, big-flavoured brew smacking your tastebuds around yet still going down smoothly. And, Colonial Brewing Co whips up a standout (plus some nice sours, porters, ales and draughts as well). The Western Australian-based brewery has certainly had time to perfect its recipes. Since opening back in 2004, it’s been brewing the good stuff in Margaret River and adding some beer to the famous wine region. From 2015, it has also extended its operations eastward — but this is a WA-supporting brand through and through.
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First things first: Funk Cider has a brew on its books called ‘Sex Machine’. Yes, really. It’s made from pink lady apples, tastes of vanilla and is aged in French oak. And, obviously, it’s a cider that leaves an imprint — on your palate and in your memory. Based in Swan Valley, Funk Cider clearly likes having a bit of fun with its range. Also on offer are ciders crafted from pineapple, passionfruit and honey, granny smith apples, and a peppery saison cider as well. Whichever main ingredient is in the spotlight, the company’s organic tipples are made from cold-pressed fruits. They’re also unpasteurised, preservative- and concentrate-free.
Support your favourite local brewery by voting in BWS’ Local Luvvas campaign.
