The McLaren Vale & Fleurieu Peninsula Brewery Trail
The Fleurieu Peninsula is home to a growing number of craft breweries and is fast becoming South Australia’s top region for handcrafted beers. Whether you’re after a crisp, refreshing lager, a hoppy pale ale or a rich, chocolatey stout that’ll warm your bones, the Fleurieu’s got it all.. Head for McLaren Vale, the heart of brewery territory and further south into Willunga, before visiting a few watering holes on the outskirts and along the coast. Let the ultimate beer trail begin!' We've listed below our top picks.
Victors Place
Victors Place is one of the regions newest breweries and housed in an 1870's Noarlunga woolshed, Victor’s Place has been restored to an operational family run winery, brewery and kitchen serving lunch and dinner five days a week. This beautifully restored Limestone Barn is perfectly located at the gateway to McLaren Vale and enjoys picturesque views of Onkaparinga Valley. The concept was created by a group of talented industry veterans who have each worked at a variety of local wineries and restaurants. Now, they’ve come together to bring top beer, wine and food to Old Noarlunga.
Victors Place is one of the regions newest breweries and housed in an 1870's Noarlunga woolshed
Swell Brewery
At Swell Brewing Co Taphouse owners Dan and Corina Wright are passionate about craft beer, using the finest ingredients they can source and their brewing skills, to bring out individual flavours of their range of ales, stout and beer. Coming to brewing from a wine background, they wanted to represent new layers of flavour and texture, and to be a first choice for matching with food. Drop in for a pint of premium craft beer from the 16-tap bar or some delicious locally sourced pub grub while kicking back on their lush lawns overlooking the surrounding vineyards. Open Thursday to Sunday for beer and food with a lovey lawned area for the kids.
Drop into Swell Brewing Co in McLaren Vale for a pint of premium craft beer from the 16-tap bar or some delicious locally sourced pub grub
Goodieson Brewery
Known and loved by the locals, Goodieson Brewery was one of the first cellar doors in the area and is a great spot to while away a few hours if you’re visiting McLaren Vale. Jeff Goodieson brews traditional style beers with a European influence – think pale ale, pilsner, brown and red ales and stouts, to name a few. Taste their flagship range, or any other special brews available at the time, where the brewing and bottling occur before your eyes. .The brewery and tasting room are housed in a cosy tin shed with a nice sunny outdoor area offering sweeping views over neighbouring vineyards. Tasting paddles are available. Goodieson’s is child and dog-friendly too
Goodieson Brewery was one of the first cellar doors in the area and is a great spot to while away a few hours if you’re visiting McLaren Vale
Vale Brewing
Beresford Estate has become the new home of Vale Brewing. The full range can be enjoyed through their new tasting experiences, so you can try the well-known local ales before you buy. Best known for its signature ‘Vale Ale’, the beers at Vale Brewery are definitely worth sampling. Their core range includes a lager, amber and Indian Pale Ale, as well as a refreshing German-style pilsner called the ‘Knee Slapper’ and a crisp, fruity ‘bright ale’ brimming with fresh citrus and biscuity malt flavours.
Beresford Estate has become the new home of Vale Brewing where you can enjoy full range through their new tasting experiences
Ekhidna Wines & Craft Beer
You may know Ekhidna Wines as a winery, and you wouldn’t be wrong but what you may not realise about Ekhidna Wines is that they also brew their own range of beers. They're all preservative-free, kettle-cooked and sterile-filtered, which means they're free of lees and yeast hulls. There’s a range of styles on offer here, including their ridiculously good ginger beer, an India Pale Ale, a dark ale and even an apple cider. Also offering exceptional food with shared plates, platters and the full dining experience. Something for everyone at this great location in McLaren Vale .
Great choice of beer, wine and food at Ekhidna Wines
Shifty Lizard
Shifty Lizard is an awesome new tap house and a welcomed addition to the town of Willunga. With plenty of beer running through the taps, you will definitely find one you’ll love. “The region is a perfect fit for us,” brewer and co-owner Lee Stone says. “There’s a growing beverage scene and with more breweries emerging, we couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.” They offer tasting paddles, as well as pints and schooners of all their beers including the Pale Ale – a local favourite. Make sure to try what’s new on tap – keep an eye out for their Russian imperial stout soaked in shiraz barrels. Local pizzas can be delivered from Redwood Oven for you to devour, or dabble in their paninis and kranskys.
Shifty Lizard is an awesome new tap house and a welcomed addition to the town of Willunga.
South Coast Brewing
South Coast Brewing is a small, independent brewery located in Willunga, South Australia. This small operation is run by three south coast local lads who quit their various day jobs as winemakers and engineers to start their own microbrewery and their beers are brewed as a tribute to all the fabulous beaches that they love to enjoy all the way along Adelaide’s beautiful South Coast. Their aim? To simply make great beers. The brewery and tap house is a relaxed place to enjoy a drop and have a chat with your friends. They also have great locals wines, and you can bring your own food or have local pizza delivered. Your dog is welcome too!
Southcoast Brewing beers are brewed as a tribute to all the fabulous beaches along the Fleurieu Peninsula
Smiling Samoyed
When you first arrive at Smiling Samoyed in the gorgeous town of Myponga, don’t be surprised if you’re welcomed by – well, a smiling Samoyed! Her name’s Hoppy, and she takes her role as chief door greeter rather seriously. This brewery’s not just about the fluffy white mascots though; there are some excellent beers available here, plus a range of tasty beer and awesome food including wood-fired pizzas, grazing plates with lots of local fare including falafel, arancini balls and chicken wings. Make sure you try the 12 Paws Pale Ale and Dark Ale. If you're feeling energetic why not head to the area early and do the Myponga Reservoir walk then lunch and beer tasting at Smiling Samoyed.
Lunch and Beer tasting at Smiling Samoyed Brewery in Myponga
Forktree Brewing
Forktree Brewing Co is located in a converted old shearing shed on owner Ben Hatcher's family farm, Forktree Brewing sits perfectly at the top of the hill above Carrickalinga with panoramic views all the way to the ocean and Cape Jervis. While retaining the character of the original shearing shed, owner (and brewer) Ben has pulled-off an impressive fit out adding an 18m long deck, huge windows and even re-laying all of the old floorboards. The bar selection features their own locally brewed beers alongside other SA craft beers, Fleurieu wines and a food menu with a twist.
Forktree Brewing on top of the hill above Carrickalinga with panoramic views all the way to the ocean