The Best Breweries in South Australia To Visit This Weekend

Visiting a great brewery can often be the perfect day out. If there’s one thing South Australia does really well, it’s food and drink, and the State’s penchant for microbreweries is no exception. In the past few years, the brewing industry has absolutely boomed in SA and as a result, you could spend weeks here trying them all.

So if you’re in the mood to explore one (or more) of these awesome breweries and pair your brews with a delicious meal, read on. Here’s our ultimate guide to the South Australian brewery scene.

Adelaide breweries

Lady Burra Brewhouse

Given its location in the CBD, Lady Burra is the perfect spot for after work drinks or a meal with friends.

The menu has a Portugese flair – think barbecue chicken and tapas options, as well as amazing pizzas and paella.

You can find Lady Burra at 41 Currie Street, Adelaide

Sparkke at The Whitmore

Sparkke is ideal for something a bit different – the brewery often have a social advocacy streak and many of the beers and names point to pressing social issues.

Aside from that, the Jam Donut ale is pretty fun too.

Order the classic pub fare with a fancy twist, and sample the extensive Gin selection too.

You can find The Whitmore at 317 Morphett St, Adelaide

The Big Shed

You’ll find the Big Shed on Port Road, heading towards Semaphore. Meat lovers will love the menu (the brisket platter is amazing), but there are some delicious vegan options too.

The pinball machines kept the kids distracted, and made my parents reminisce about their childhoods!

Big Shed Brewing Concern is located at 1154 Old Port Road, Royal Park.

Little Bang

Hidden away just a few minutes from the CBD is Little Bang, a super cute and trendy brewery with a deceptive amount of space for functions.

The beef ribs were the pick of the meal options for me.

Head along on Wedneday nights for the hilarios quiz night.

Little Bang is located at 25 Henry Street, Stepney.

Pirate Life

I love Pirate Life’s outdoor area with fire pit and smoke kitchen.

Inside you’ll find a shuffleboard to play as well as Daytona racing and old school pinball machines.

Because of Pirate Life’s set up, it’s a great option for bringing the kids along – and dogs are welcome too!

Adelaide Hills breweries

Prancing Pony

You’ll find Prancing Pony just off the freeway in Mount Barker.

The saloon-style brewhouse is super cute, but I also loved how well Prancing Pony adapted to COVID – getting takeaway wings and beers is one of our favourite things to do with our local mates.

Speaking of wings, they have several kinds – and you should try them all.

Prancing Pony is located at 3/4 Simper Cresent, Mount Barker.

Mismatch Brewery

Mismatch Brewing Co. is part of the Lot 100 complex in Nairne – a sprawling mix of upscale indoor dining, a large, more casual alfresco area, and a produce farm complete with goats.

I had particular fun here for a Hen’s Day, but any occasion (or lack of) is perfect for a visit.

Visit Lot 100 (including Mismatch) at 68 Chambers Road, Hay Valley.

Uraidla Brewery

Uraidla Brewery is run out of the gorgeous Uraidla Hotel. This place has been an institution for pretty much my entire life, but it’s recently had an upgrade too. Uraidla Hotel is particularly big on sustainability, which I love.

If you’re after something traditional yet still cool, Uraidla should be your go-to.

The menu is great too, with some plant-based options, but for meat lovers, order something from the Smokehouse.

You’ll find the Uraidla hotel and Brewery at 1196 Greenhill Road, Uraidla

McLaren Vale and the Fleurieu Coast breweries

Swell Brewing Co.

Swell has been a favourite of mine since it opened. It’s also a favourite of the kids for its large grassed area and delicious fries (among other options!)

With dozens of unique beers on tap, Swell has something for everyone.

Bonus: the head brewer is married to the head winemaker of Oliver’s Taranga, so the wine list is en pointe too.

Visit Swell Brewing at 168 Olivers Road, McLaren Vale

Ogre Brewing Co.

I’ve visited Ogre a few times now and the first thing I have to say is that the food never disappoints.

What I loved the last time we visited is the addition of a kids’ corner, making it an even better option for a family lunch.

Ogre Brewing is located at 252 Main Road, McLaren Vale

Shifty Lizard Brewing Co.

Got a hankering for wings, loaded fries, or some good old fashioned mac and cheese bites? Shifty Lizard is your destination!

A selection of board games will keep you and the kids entertained while you sample the craft brews.

Visit Shifty Lizard at 33 High Street, Willunga

Smiling Samoyed

Where else would you be greeted by a fluffy white Samoyed when you arrive for lunch?

Aside from the great beers and delicious American-style grazing options, Smiling Samoyed is a favourite of ours for the excellent playground. Kid-friendly for the win!

You’ll find Smiling Samoyed at 48 Main South Road, Myponga

Forktree Brewing

Forktree is perfect for a family lunch – the kids can run around on the grass or play in the dedicated play areas.

The views over the Carrickalinga beach into the Gulf St Vincent are pretty spectacular too.

Forktree Brewing is located at 935 Forktree Road, Normanville

Kickback Brewing

If you’re looking for a place with a cruisy, laidback vibe and plenty of outdoor space, Kickback Brewing is perfect.

Play a game of cornhole or giant connect four on the grass, chill on a picnic blanket or under an umbrella at one of the tables, and enjoy some great casual food. I snuck a few bites of my kids’ cheeseburgers and OMG – one of the best I’ve tasted.

Kickback Brewing is located at 11 Old Coach Road, Aldinga

Yorke Peninsula breweries

Bond Store

You’ll find Bond Store in the heart of Wallaroo, on the Yorke Peninsula’s Copper Coast (click through to read more about the Copper Coast).

Bond Store also features an awesome distillery (try the small batch coffee liqueur – my favourite!)

Bond Store is located at 13 Owen Terrace, Wallaroo

Watsacowie

Located in the middle of the Yorke Peninsula (about two hours’ drive from Adelaide) is Watsacowie Brewery, a delightfully unpretentious country brewery with a super friendly, chilled vibe.

For true beer lovers, there’s 12 beers on tap for you to sample in a tasting paddle.

You’ll find live music events at Watsacowie regularly, and dog lovers can bring their canine family along too (human children are also very welcome, and there’s a toy corner available).

There’s no food kitchen, but different caterers come along to serve lunch – when we were there it was yiros (kebabs to the east coast readers).

You’ll find Watsacowie at 9 Depot Road, Minlaton