Craft Breweries on the Gold Coast

words by niall roeder

We’re not exactly sure who started the craft brewery scene on the Gold Coast, but what we do know is that it’s currently going off like a drunken frog in a sock. Craft breweries have popped up seemingly overnight, like wonderful amber mushrooms, giving suds-lovers fancy and bold alternative beers to fill their tins, longnecks, stubbies, pots and pints.

Whether you’re brown bottle Jedi well-versed in the amber arts or a beer rookie yet to drink your first “shooey”, we’ve listed four of the best craft breweries on the Gold Coast for your enjoyment.

Burleigh Brewing Co.
World class local beer with balance, character and soul. That’s what Burleigh Brewing Co. aim to do, and according to their trophy cabinet (e.g. their Hefeweizen was crowned best German-Style Wheat Beer at the 2012 World Beer Cup), they’re doing exactly that.
Recommendation – HEF (short for Hefeweizen, the HEF is a tip of the cap to the classic German-style, unfiltered wheat beer)

Black Hops
Even if you’re not into their saisons, lager, IPA, stout and pale ale (which are delicious), it’s hard not to love the Black Hops story. Three mates brewing beer and sharing their frothy journey along the way – it’s like a modern day, three man, drunken version of Friends… how you brewin? (sorry).
Recommendation – Beach House (an Australian saison – a Gold Coast take on the traditional French Farmhouse ale)

Balter Brewing Company
Based on the concept that, “six Aussies and a Yank went into a bar and never came out”, Balter is the latest golden child of the GC craft beer scene. Championed by world champion surfers, Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson, and brewed by Scott Hargrave, Balter offers a pilsner, IPA and XPA, all of which come in sexy, minimally designed tinnies.
Recommendation – XPA (a pale, tropical and floral fully-hopped beer that’s easy to drink)

The Mad Hueys
Local surfing fishermen turned beer brewers? How could it not work. The lovable larrikins at The Mad Hueys have cast their net even wider of late and added a frosty to their repertoire. However, if you’re expecting something fruity or hoppy, you’ll have to look elsewhere. TMH’s beer is, and I quote, “not another f*cking IPA”. Brewed by none other than Michael “Govs” McGovern (Head Brewer for Black Hops Brewing), this is a good old fashioned Aussie lager.

Pickled Pig Brewery
This no-nonsense eco micro brewery prides itself on being “as organic as possible”, which is polite speak for “organic AF”. The Pickled Pig lagers, ales, pilsners, dark beers and alcoholic ginger beer are made using organic malts, hops and grains and no chemicals, no preservatives and no additives.
Recommendation – The beer of the month (currently Stoned Lime – lemon and lime Pilsner with a hint of Angostura)