Top craft breweries near Sydney worth a brewery tour!
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
Sydney’s craft beer and micro-distillery scene have grown at an astonishing rate over the last few years. There are breweries near Sydney that offers a perfect crafternoon if you love your ales. But what are the best craft breweries to select for your Sydney brewery tour?
Small or independent craft brewers and distillers have undoubtedly made significant inroads into Australia’s alcohol market. As per the Australian Tax Office (ATO), there were over 75 alcohol license offers to microbrewers to produce craft beer. The statistics show the growth was significant and nearly 1.7 new licenses offer year on year basis during 2016/17. NSW holds the second largest proportion of craft beer breweries followed by Victoria which owns over 168 breweries as of 2018 statistics.
The explosion of the craft beer industry in Sydney attracted many visitors. Those from locally and overseas who are looking for brewery tours near Sydney. But many had the question of “How to find the best brewery tours in Sydney? or What are the best breweries near Sydney?”. Hence, we (Sydney Private Tours) thought of introducing some of the best breweries and distilleries near Sydney. And give a brief introduction of their craft produce.
Breweries in Port Stephens
Murray’s Craft Brewing co
One of the best craft breweries you can find near Sydney is Murray’s and a must-stop on a Port Stephens day tour from Sydney. They offer the best in the class ales and really worth a brewery tour from Sydney. A humble beginning from Taylors Arms near Port Stephens, today they produce craft Ales, Gins, and vodka. The core range of Murray’s includes Whale Ale, XPA with a German twist, East Coast larger, and Fred IPA. But our choice is Angry Man Ale (classic US pale ale). It is the bolder hop character of a hybrid between US and English pale ale. If you are driving from Sydney, Murray’s is located on the left on Bob’s Farm. They open all year round except Christmas Day. The opening time covers from 10 am to 6 pm each day.
What’s the best brewery in Central Coast worth a trip from Sydney?
Central Coast is definitely worth a trip from Sydney because of its popular breweries. The place offers a wide range of craft beers. In fact, craft beers are the primary centre of attraction in this place. So don’t forget to visit the local craft breweries when on the Central Coast. But what are the best among them? Have a look at them!!
Block n Tackle
Winning the title of “Best New NSW Beers of 2018” title, Block n Tackle started to stand out from other craft brewers near Sydney. Started as a garage project a few years back in Central Coast, and Block n Tackle grew faster over the years. The commercial operation began in 2015, and ever since the popularity grew rapidly among craft beer lovers with Block n Tackle. Some of the great beers produced here are Sir Thomas Porter, The Waggy Wit, RIP Bridge Golden Ale, and SCUD XPA. A brewery tasting tour costs 30$ per person and you can enjoy a 5-beer tasting paddle. The cellar door for tasting is located in Unit 1, 11-13 Cochrane street, Kincumber. And they only open on Thursdays, Fridays and Sydney’s only. Usually, the opening hours are from 12 pm to 6 pm. So, why are you waiting to book a Sydney brewery tour to Block n Tackle?
Six String Brewing Co.
The place was launched in late 2012 by Chris Benson. After its opening, it received a major fan following. Six String Brewing is the first home-grown craft brewery and tasting room on the Central Coast. People come to visit this place from far areas which makes it quite popular. The place is famous for full-flavoured or Amplified Ales. Furthermore, the place is known for being “the best lager in the world”.
Sydney Brewery tours to Hunter Valley
Arguably Hunter Valley is for foodies. Best of Shiraz, Semillon, chocolates, cheese, and olives are a few that foodies add to the bucket on a Hunter Valley wine tour from Sydney. However, Hunter Valley offers a couple of the best artisan craft brewers in NSW who are looking for a brewery tour from Sydney.
Hope Estate Brewery
For the 3rd in a row, Hope Estate Brewery has taken out the Champion Trophy at the Sydney Royal Beer and Cider Show 2019. Isn’t that enough to say they are one of the best breweries you should add to your Sydney brewery tour? At the same show, they picked 12 medals for their craft beers. Hope Estate is located in Hunter Valley and its craft beer ranges from Robust Porters to IPA. One of our best choices from Hope Estate is Tropical Neipa which comes with a pineapple punch. The cellar door opens for wine, beer, and cider tasting from 10 am to 5 pm every day.
The Hunter Beer Co
Located at Potters Hotels, The Hunter Beer Co is another significant addition to the crafty beer tasting experience. And shouldn’t opt out of any brewery tour from Sydney. You can enjoy a paddle of 10 beers on the tap on a tour to Hunter Beer Co. They are usually open from 10 am to 5 pm every day. If you are after an inside brewery tour, it is 10 $ per person and runs at 4 pm on weekdays and 12 pm on weekends. Usually, a brewery tour takes approximately 45 minutes and plan your itinerary accordingly. At Hunter Beer co, try their best range of Kolsch, Witbier, and 2018 AIBA Champion Dark Lager for an unforgettable craft beer tasting Hunter Valley experience on your Sydney Brewery tour.
Matilda Bay Brewhouse, Pokolbin
Matilda Bay Brewhouse is our number one choice to recommend if you are looking for craft beer tasting in Hunter region. A beer-tasting paddle with 12 crafted brews tells the authenticity of Matilda Bay. The place offers a range of sumptuous dishes to complement the craft beer. You will surely get to explore many new cuisines. You should definitely consider this place if you are looking for an amazing place to dine in and have some fun.
Breweries in Southern Highlands
Southern Highlands Brewing and tap house, Moss Vale
If you are taking a day trip to South from Sydney, a stop at Southern Highlands Brewing and tap house is well worth it. Who could resist not tasting the best-crafted beers that can be found in Moss Vale, Kangaroo Valley? The crafted range from Southern Highlands Brewing and tap house includes Blonde, American Pale Ale, Euro Larger, Red Ale, IPA, Porter, and Goldner Ale. The tap house is located at 490-494 Argyle Street, Moss Vale and the cellar door usually opens from Thursday to Sunday. In particular, they open Thursday from 5 pm to late, Friday and Saturday from 12 pm to late, and Sun from 12 pm to late. If you are planning to return to Sydney after a brewery tour, plan your time accordingly.
Add a twist and taste some of the best ciders
Hillbilly Cider
Blue mountains region is the most visited destination of all visitors to Sydney. Is the Blue Mountains only offer sightseeing? That’s a story shared by cookie-cutter large bus Blue Mountains day tours and many travellers seem to believe Three Sisters is the Blue Mountains. Do you know that there are few craft distillers in the Blue Mountains region? Hillbilly is our first choice. Hillbilly produces a great range of craft cider range. And some of them are Vintage Version, Sweet Julie, and Scrumpy Ciders. The shed shop is located at 2270 Bells line road, Bilpin. Friday from 12 to 5 pm, Saturday from 11 to 5 pm, and Sunday from 11 to 5 pm the shed opens and adds a twist to your brewery tour from Sydney by tasting a finer cider.
Bilpin Cider
Another great artisan cider producer is located in Bilpin, Blue Mountains region. A tour of Bilpin Cider gives you the opportunity to taste Blush Pink Lady, Archibald Cloudy, and Pear Ciders. This place also has a beautiful garden dotted with Fig Trees, Liquid Amber, Camelia, and Eucalyptus. Also, this place is surrounded by some of the major world heritage-listed mountains, rivers, and national parklands. It is the perfect place to hang out with friends and family and enjoy the cellar door or have a little picnic. The cellar door of Bilpin Cider is located at 2369 Bells Line, Bilpin.
Is this article inspired you? Read our article on amazing caves near Sydney.
Contact us @ +61 498507873 or info@urbanpassport.com.au if you want to book any day tours from Sydney.
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