Ready to impress your mates with all your local knowledge? Head out this weekend well informed, with our guide to the best local spots crafting beer and spirits for your drinking pleasure.
St Andrews Beach Brewery
The St Andrews Beach Brewery house style is rich in malt and hop, with seasonal beers testing new flavours – such as a Summer Lager with vibrant citrus, melon and stone fruit notes. Reds, browns and darks return to the menu as we head to cooler months, as well as bigger IPAs and wheat ales.
All year round, the stables‑turned‑private‑booths are full brimming with locals and visitors alike, comparing notes over a tasting paddle, exchanging great horse tales or enjoying a wood‑fired pizza.
Jimmy Rum Distillery
Delicious rum with a side of education at Jimmy Rum Distillery. Their rum spends two years in oak barrels just waiting for the perfect time to be served. Enjoy a cocktail, guided tasting or a bite to eat in their ‘rum garden’ ‑ think beer garden. The menu changes with the seasons so there’s always an excuse to head to Dromana.
Bass and Flinders Distillery
Complete with still room, bar and masterclass area, Bass & Flinders are much more than a distributor, they’re educators, bringing the wide world of distilling to the Peninsula.
Ordinarily, producers will buy grain‑based spirits and build their product from there; however Bass & Flinders make their own base from local grapes, then refine and add to craft each product. The whole process is done in house – from still to labelling.
Jetty Road Brewery
Featuring high ceilings set within a large factory, Jetty Road Brewery gives customers the chance to see how their beer goes from barrel to bottle. It’s a meticulous process the team have spent countless hours perfecting. They craft their beers to suit every palate, whether you’re a first timer or a seasoned veteran.
The Jetty Road IPA is a favourite among the locals – definitely worth a try. Inspired by the coast, it’s one you can’t leave without tasting.
Twobays Brewing Co
Everyone’s got a token gluten intolerant friend, right? Now, you can take your friend out for a brew with the rest of your crew. Owner of Twobays Brewing Co and fellow‑coeliac Richard scored the exclusive importing rights to 15 specialty gluten free malts that give his craft beer its distinct taste.
There are eight beers on tap, plenty of options to enjoy. A wood fire pizza oven blazes away, cooking gluten free pizzas that hit the spot for anyone. Sit at a rustic, recycled wooden bench, and suss out your beer before it’s poured. Twobays sit them above the taps so you can see which ones pique your interest. These guys are known to host live music on occasion too!
Tar Barrel
Set up at the original home of Mornington Peninsula Brewery, Tar Barrel introduces their whisky and gin distillery for a more crafted taste experience. Stocking all the local faves, and ready to entertain with live music. Stop on in for a taste of something new.
Chiefs Son Distillery
Handmade and family owned, the Chiefs Son team make high quality single malt whisky using a totally manual system. They are clearly craftspeople, passionate about the quality of spirit they produce. Tours and tastings are very welcome at their Somerville location.
Red Hill Brewery
Taking the title of the Mornington Peninsula’s original craft brewery, these guys make their beer hands on with passion and skill. Their core range of six all‑year‑round beers is supported by their renowned seasonal ranges ‑ it’s not unlikely they’ll have 20 distinct beers going in one year!
Got brews on the brain? Be sure to check out more on these local jaunts.
