Top Victorian breweries to visit

It's no secret that Australia has a love affair with beer. From its arrival during early colonial times, to the explosion of the craft beer scene in the last decade, the amber nectar has long been the tipple of choice for many Aussies.

Nothing beats a cold beer after a long drive, and with a growing number of unique regional craft breweries popping up across Victoria, there's no better time to get out, explore a new region and discover some tasty brews in regional Victoria...

Bright Brewery – Bright

This High Country gem is a popular spot for locals and visitors, especially over summer, and for good reason. As well as offering quality beers made with fresh mountain water, the Bright Brewery has a superb menu for lunches and dinners.

Bright is full of things to do, and the driving (both on and off-road) in this region is like nothing else in Australia. Definitely worth a weekender (or longer, if you have the time). We recommend the Alpine Lager.

Bridge Road Brewers – Beechworth

Another icon of the High Country, Bridge Road is a brilliant brewery in the historic township of Beechworth.

The brewpub is situated in the town’s old coach house and stables making for a unique location to indulge in a pint and a pizza. Bridge Road’s beers have become staples of the craft beer scene in Melbourne and beyond.

A day out exploring the high country, capped by a few cold ones at Bridge Road sounds almost too good to be true.

Sailors Grave – Orbost

Located on the banks of the Snowy River, and named after a local shipwreck site at Cape Conran, Sailors Grave is one of the rising stars of the craft brewing scene.

Situated in a 100-year-old former butter factory, Sailors Grave offers unique and extremely crafty brews. Orbost itself sits deep in the heart of Gippsland, with easy access to the coast, as well as the Snowy River and Alpine National Parks.

The region is packed with great roads and tracks, so hitch-up and get out there.

Holgate Brewhouse – Woodend

Nestled in the Macedon Ranges town of Woodend, the Holgate Brewhouse has been a popular watering hole for nearly two decades.

Originally founded in a Woodend backyard, the owners eventually took over a historic hotel as its cellar door and brewpub.

Holgate not only makes great beers and offers excellent food, it also offers accommodation if you're travelling solo. Perfect for an overnight getaway from the Big Smoke.

Matilda Bay – Healesville

The Yarra Valley is better known for its wine, but it's also home to one of the oldest names in Australian craft brewing. Matilda Bay was founded in Perth in the 1980s before being taken over by commercial giant CUB.

The brewery in Healesville is a new venture by the original founder and it offers new and classic Matilda Bay beers, as well as an excellent menu. It also happens to be on the doorstep of some great touring roads.

St Andrews Beach Brewery – Mornington Peninsula

Like the Yarra Valley, the Mornington Peninsula is usually associated with wine, but it does play host to some excellent breweries too.

St Andrews Beach Brewery has the distinction of having a 38-hectare property as its home, which was once the training facility for the Freedman family and Melbourne Cup winner, Makybe Diva.

The large venue has great food and very tasty beverages, and the Peninsula location makes for an easy RV or camping trip from Melbourne.

Bells Beach Brewing – Torquay

Located at the gateway to the Great Ocean Road, Bells Beach Brewing happens to be part-owned by a star photographer in the motorcycle industry, Jeff Crow.

With beers named after local surf breaks, Bells Beach Brewing has taprooms in Torquay and Geelong, making it the perfect end (or start) to a weekend drive down the Great Ocean Road.

Next up, we'll take a look at some of the best regional breweries in New South Wales.