From North Nowra through Huskisson and down to Ulladulla, there are no less than 10 craft breweries to discover. Visit one at a time or turn this list into your own mini ale-trail, it’s around 75km from north to south, around an hour of driving all-up which makes it a good day out. Remember to check open times before you head off.
In geographical order from North to South you will find a small write up about each brewery, plus my personal recommendations for some ideal pairings of beers and food.
South Yeast Brewing in North Nowra is run by twin brothers Simon and Joey Panucci. These guys are always looking to push the boundaries with their beers and they have produced some of the more obscure styles in the craft beer scene with sours, tropicals and bitter hazys.
With all craft beer venues, it’s a good idea to check in regularly as the taps are ever changing with goodness to be enjoyed. Their seasonal milk stout is a fine example of the style being smooth and easy to drink. Check out their socials for different pop-ups and food truck collaborations.
My hot pick: visit when Ola Chola food truck is in the house and try their famous paella paired with The Hammock, an extremely easy drinking tropical pale ale with fresh fruit undertones.
Old Salt Distillery in South Nowra is a double act being a distillery and brewery. There is an absolutely stunning bar and kitchen in a clean and sleek black tile. The intoxicating aroma of the kitchen wafts through the venue due to the open flame cooking method used by the chefs.
Get started with a properly poured nitro milk stout with thick head and excellent mouthfeel – an excellent beer for a place that is first and foremost a distillery. As a bonus their non-alcoholic on-tap beverages are delicious including a rose and lychee or brewed ginger beer. It’s a must to check the website to see when they are open to avoid disappointment, as they keep different seasonal hours.
My hot pick: Pair the milk stout with the perfectly cooked (over an open fire) sirloin steak sliced to share.
Husky Brewing in South Nowra is close by to Old Salt. It is a charming venue with seating for around 40 people and their own food truck offering pizza. They have 10 taps with rotating beers, seltzers and ciders. A nice and cosy venue during winter, the space opens up to beat the heat during summer. It reminds me of some of the breweries that set up in the early days of the craft beer explosion of the inner west in Sydney. This brewery makes great use of space to produce a variety of beers that keep punters coming back to try their latest offering. They also offer wine from Two Figs and spirits from South Coast Distillery, two other local producers.
My hot pick: try the pulled pork pizza paired with the O.B. Red, a traditional Irish red ale full of malty goodness.
Penguin Head Brewing is available at The Common South Coast at Culburra Beach. This is a small brewery that is starting to establish itself with locals for their range of sessionable beers. This is one to keep an eye on as they continue to grow and expand their range. If you are in the beautiful beach side suburb of Culburra, The Common South Coast is a great Sunday afternoon location with a welcoming beer garden.
My hot pick: choose the chicken wings, a great offering to share with a group of friends while sipping on a Penguin Head pale ale.
A turn off the highway down Jervis Bay Road into Huskisson will lead you to two breweries within walking distance of each other, Flamin’ Galah and Jervis Bay Brewing Co – both located in the industrial zone of Huskisson/Woollamia.
Flamin’ Galah with their distinctive pink and black theme and branding has a venue with beautifully made bars, seating and a generally relaxed vibe. The smell on a brewing day is intoxicating for those who appreciate the craft and science behind the brewing of a good beer.
Head brewer Sam has an extensive range that you can drink on tap or takeaway for their core range. I recommend the lattice biscuit stout, big and boozy with custardy vanilla, biscuit and malt flavours. They have an exciting menu of cocktails and an onsite permanent food truck, The Nest serving a range that has something for every taste.
My hot pick: in winter go for the rich and full flavoured lattice biscuit stout and the bao buns for a beautiful afternoon snack. Summer time, pair the bao buns with the hazy pale ale that is deliciously packed with citrus flavours.
Jervis Bay Brewing Co are leading the way in the area for their conservation efforts in their brewing. Solar panels, electric vehicle for deliveries and water treatment with floating wetlands are just a few examples of their environmental approach while producing exceptional beers.
They have a very solid and well-liked core line up of beers that keeps locals and holiday makers flocking to this venue. There are regular events including trivia, live music and cultural occasion such as book launches and talks by experts in their field (eg, brewery friend Richard Morecroft of ABC fame). There is a playground for the kids and a permanent food truck by Huskisson café 5 Little Pigs to serve your needs. They are often open 7 days during school holiday and peak tourist times (we still recommend you check before you head over).
The Bright Idea XPA is my pick of the core line up but the seasonal and special releases are always worth a drink. They offer on tap tasting as well as cans and growler fills.
My hot pick: That Bright Idea XPA pairs nicely with the 5 Little Pigs tomato risotto. That’s right, a food truck serving a risotto! Beautiful fresh clean crisp flavours in the beer match with the heirloom tomatoes.
Swordfish Brewing in Sussex Inlet is one of the newer players on the scene with a beautiful venue right on the water, including a deck that is the place to be during the warmer months, and distinctive orange and blue branding. An in-house kitchen includes a hard-working pizza oven that operates Thursday night to Sunday, in addition to the usual menu.
The Portside XPA is my pick here, true to style and an easy sessionable beer. There is a rotating guest tap menu as well to round out the offering. This is a popular location for locals thanks to the relaxed atmosphere. There is live music as well as events throughout the year including a Viking Long Lunch to support the local Viking Festival, and Oktoberfest.
My hot pick: splash out on the delectable slow cooked lamb which pairs well with any of the beers on tap, especially the portside XPA. The hop profile balances well with the tender melt in your mouth lamb.
Keep heading south to the beautiful Milton-Ulladulla-Mollymook area and you are spoilt for choice with Dangerous Ales, Cupitt’s and Wombat Brewing all bringing something unique to the world of craft beer.
Dangerous Ales owned by chef Damien Martin is producing some of the best beers in the country. He is regularly pushing boundaries with seasonal releases that make you go ‘whoa, how does that go into a beer?’
One of my favourite limited releases was a blueberry and beetroot sour ale, clearly a beer and style for the more adventurous types. The core range is amazing and available in takeaway cans. Damo is a product of the Shoalhaven, who travelled the world and came back to Milton to establish a venue that offers exceptional food to complement his equally amazing beers. He is a busy man brewing and cooking for his customers. The brewery is located behind The Milton Hotel.
My hot pick: The backyard pale and Uncle Damo’s Oatmeal Stout are sure winners. The sauce Damo serves with his fries is amazing, I wouldn’t mind getting my hands on a bottle or even the recipe. This is a place where the menu pairs perfectly with all the beers and vice versa.
Cupitt’s Estate in Ulladulla is well known as a winery but also they produce some exceptional beers. As for a venue, this has to be the pick of the bunch with views out over the vineyard from the deck, as you look down to the stage with live music playing, children having fun and laughter and good times had by all.
The garden menu is the perfect foil for their range of beers. For a winery I believe their beers stack up on their own to warrant calling this a brewery venue. The Mollymook Pale Ale or the South Coast Session Ale are the best beers to drink on a warm afternoon.
My hot pick: Try a more challenging beverage to sit on and sip slowly, the Imperial Stout, big bold flavours with a high ABV makes it a winter warmer. Pair it with the seasonal range of pizzas from the garden menu, there is something for every taste.
Wombat Brewery is on the south end of Ulladulla in the industrial area. You will be welcomed by a big, fabricated wombat and a great range of rotating food trucks.
Aaron McKay is the head brewer, owner and a proud Wiradjuri man who grew up in the Milton-Ulladulla area. He has been perfecting his brewing for over 10 years firstly as a hobby and now as a business. He has a pilsner that is easy drinking and true to style as well as a beer affectionately known as Lawnmower, suggesting it’s a good drink on a summer afternoon after you’re finished with lawn duty.
My hot pick: Time your visit on a day when Phantom BBQ are in the house. A brisket sando and the Lawnmower with its subtle bitterness and light profile make them a perfect match.
No matter what your preference is, there is a beer that will tickle your fancy somewhere up and down the Shoalhaven, with many great locations to visit! Make a weekend of it, working from top to bottom or bottom to top and enjoying the great beers this area has to offer!
If you are looking to go further afield beyond the Shoalhaven and their fantastic breweries check out the South Coast Ale Trail for a full list of breweries from Wollongong to Pambula almost reaching the Victorian boarder.
