Granite Belt Wine BEER Country!
Stanthorpe is renowned for high altitude wines and cellar doors… BUT for craft beer lovers there’s more exciting things brewing on the Granite Belt.
Here’s our guide to discovering Stanthorpe’s breweries.
What Geoff’s Brewing at Granite Belt Brewery
Geoff Davenport really put craft beer on the map for travellers to Stanthorpe in 2012, when together with wife Dee he started producing ales and lagers at Granite Belt Brewery.
The beers are hand crafted in this micro-brewery, using 4 ingredients and using nothing but the finest ingredients (including as much locally grown hops as is available). The result: full flavoured, delicious beers all ready to pair with an excellent restaurant menu.
Pictured: Geoff Davenport serving at bar (left)
The best pairing comes with the Brewers Platter, which serves four dishes perfectly matched to complement a beer paddle. Since covid shut-downs their menu and opening days are temporarily more limited, so check the current menu here and make an online booking to dine.
Food Wine Travel recently visited here and said “The winners were the Irish Red Ale with a creamy rich malt flavour and the Pozieres Porter which is like drinking chocolate-coated coffee beans in liquid form.” Read their full review about Granite Belt Brewery.
Check out the brewery accommodation onsite, where 19 cabins are tucked away on the hillside within a relaxed stagger of the bar and restaurant.
Located: 146 Glenlyon Drive, Stanthorpe (5 minutes west of Stanthorpe)
Open: Check dates/hours here
Ernie’s Award Winning Brass Monkey Brews
If the crafted tastes of a nano-brewery excite you, then head to Ernie Butler’s Brass Monkey Brew House and check out what he’s been brewing.
If you can taste the passion in the glass you’re not the only one. The 2020 Royal Queensland Food & Wine Show Beer Awards gave Ernie a GOLD for his English Brown, a SILVER for his Quart Pot Old and a BRONZE for his Vienna Lager.
Ernie Butler, photo credit: @rosscraftbeer
Ernie’s brews are on tap in what resembles little more than a backyard shed, but that is 100% part of the charm of this spot and the locals love it too. There’s plenty to enjoy about the authenticity of this spot and the menu hits the spot with pizzas (made with beer dough of course) and homemade bratwurst.
Ernie uses hops grown locally on the Granite Belt.
Located: 106 Donges Road, Severlea (9 minutes south west of Stanthorpe)
Open: 10am – 6pm Thursday to Monday
…More about Brass Monkey Brew House
Glen’s Brew Fit for a King
Glen Millar was the first to brew beer commercially on the Granite Belt, kicking off production in 2009 in his ‘castle’ – Castle Glen Australia.
Castle Glen use a technique of double fermentation and bottle maturation and crafts a range of 19 different beers.
Glen also produces wines, spirits and liqueurs and all can be found in the veritable treasure trove of endless bottle inside the ‘castle’.
Their summer range of light beers such as Pale Ale, Pilsener, Wheat Beers and Lagers are popular with loyal clientele. During the cooler months, Glen watches over the maturing of his Autumn / Winter line-up of Draught Beer, Dark Ales such as Black Granite and Stout. They also have a range of gluten-free beers.
Pictured: Glen taking delivery of his new still in June 2020
Location: 3184 Amiens Road, Thulimbah (15 minutes north of Stanthorpe)
Open: 10am – 4pm, 7 Days
…More about Castle Glen Australia
Wine & Brewery Tours
Filippo’s Tours offer a Full Day Wine & Beer Tour around Stanthorpe. Stanthorpe Tours offer a Full Day Barrels & Beer Tour.
View the four tour operators who offer wine and beer tours.
Pictured: Granite Belt Brewery Tasting Platter