The city:
Craft beer trail
Put aside an afternoon to tackle this craft beer trail hopping you between breweries, bars and bottle shops in Brisbane City. Sure, these days you can walk into any pub, bar or restaurant and order a local craft beer (which we think is great, by the way) – but this guide focuses on the bars and pubs that have turned a love of craft beer into an obsession. At every stop along this route find beer specialists and spots cracking the tops off truly special brews. Cheers to that!
Bars
Embassy Bar & Kitchen
Established in 1928, Embassy Bar & Kitchen is somewhat of a Brisbane institution. Pairing tasty ales with gastropub eats, Embassy is a favourite for a Friday lunch, after-work drinks or a Saturday night with the boys. Soak up the quirky industrial design while working your way through a paddle board (or two). Between their taps and bottled beers, you’ll find everything from sessional lagers to hoppy IPAs and lip-smacking sours. Not ones to be swayed by a brand name, if it’s tasty you’ll find it on the menu here.
4 Pines Brewing
Conveniently located just 100m from Central Station, this Northern Sydney brewery has popped up a pub in the centre of The City. With a commitment to leaving the world a better place, you can be comfortable that your 4 Pines craft brew has been sustainably produced. With nine of their own beers available plus some Brookvale Union alternatives, it’s a hot spot for a beer and a burger with friends or colleagues.
Frogs Hollow Saloon
Whilst Frogs Hollow Saloon touts itself as a hotspot for cocktails and whiskey, their beer list is pretty impressive, with a significant selection of craft tipples. It’s run by a team of industry veterans, so you can be confident that they’re serving the best of the best brews.
Buffalo Bar
Bringing a taste of the U.S. of A. down under, Buffalo Bar does two things well – craft beer and pub-style eats. Kick back in the beer garden or in front of a sports screen with a bottle of their specially imported American craft beers. Hot tip: their burgers go down a treat with the beer.
Riverland
This unique venue combines an 80-foot bar, five street kitchens operating from kitted-out shipping containers, and uninterrupted river views. At Riverland there are 16 beer taps to work your way through, plus more bottled options in the fridges. It’s an ideal spot to soak up brews and views.
Mr Edward’s Ale House
Mr Edward’s Ale House offers a classic ale house experience with modern gastropub eats and draught beers. At last count there were more than 35 beers on tap plus a fridge full of bottled and canned local Queensland and interstate craft options. Let their team take control with a mystery bucket of four different beers for your tasting pleasure.
The Gresham
While this heritage-listed bar with its leather chesterfield lounges and rich mahogany furniture seems more likely to inspire an order of whisky or wine, be sure not to overlook the beer options. With its commitment to bringing the best beverages to Brisbane, you can be confident that the beers will be tasty at this nationally awarded drinking hole.
Winghaus
Don't let the name throw you – at Winghaus you will be spoilt for choice with both wings and beer. Swing by this American diner-styled spot for brews, sport, a bite to eat and perhaps a cheeky game of football while you’re at it. With 40 taps pouring local, national and international beers, there’s something to appease all palates.
Bottle shops
Charmy Food & Bottle Shop, Albert St
At Charmy Food & Bottle Shop you can buy your beer then take a seat and enjoy it with some Korean bar snacks. They have their own craft beer available, plus a large selection in the fridges. This is a popular and sometimes rowdy spot that’s impossible to miss based on the large crowds gathered at the tables along the footpath on Albert Street.
Grand Central Cellars
With a handy location right next to Central Station, Grand Central Cellars stocks everything from basic Aussie lagers through to crates of craft beer – making it an essential stop for any takeaway beers. From Balter to Ballistic, Brouhaha to Black Hops, find cans or bottles from Queensland’s top craft breweries lining the shelves.
Malt Traders
Make a stop at Malt Traders – a craft beer, wine and gourmet goods purveyor – for a takeaway craft selection and knowledge like no other. The self-titled craft beer experts can help you navigate an extensive range of local, national, and internationally sourced craft brews. They foster grassroots relationships with the head brewers and owners of small productions around the country to ensure they stock only the best. We’re spoilt for choice and convenience with two Malt Traders locations in The City – on Ann St and Market St.
