Craft Breweries in Cairns

Cairns has exceptional breweries that produces cool craft beers for you to enjoy on a warm evening.

Craft beer is used to refer to all beers made by independent breweries. Over the years, craft beers have risen is popularity. So, what does that mean? Aussies really love craft beer and it’s growing in popularity.

There are quite a few different breweries to go to while in Cairns, so we’ve compiled a list of some of the best ones in the tropical city.

• Hemingway’s Brewery

After a long day exploring the reef, two mates returned to Cairns in search for a local brew. It would be the perfect way to end the day! However, they were in for bitter disappointment when they realised there simply wasn’t a local brew for them to enjoy. It was in that exact moment Hemingway’s brewery was born.

The brewery was designed to give locals their own local pub and visitors a place to feel like a local. Very quickly, Hemingway’s became the meeting place for those looking for an ice-cold beer after a day under Queensland’s beating sun. Hemingway’s pride themselves on creating high quality products by using local ingredients.

Heading to their Cairns Warf location, you will be welcomed by a 19 m-long bar offering at least 10 brews for you to choose from. The heritage-listed venue boasts unbelievable views, begging you to pull up a stool.

• Coral Sea Brewing

It all started back in 2016 when Coral Sea Brewing was brought to life by beer enthusiasts. Since then, the team has grown and continued to produce craft beers for the locals and those stopping by.

Coral Sea Brewing is in a city central location, right by the Wharf and the Esplanade. The brewery sources the very best ingredients for the craft beers that you enjoy and love on a hot summer evening.

Find a table for you and a group of mates and enjoy some tropical craft beers. Here you can try some of the very best IPAs, lagers, ales, and even some seasonal varieties that can become available.

• Macalister Brewing Company

Established in 2017, this delightful microbrewery produces handmade Cairns craft beers for the locals and travellers. Rob who’s the founder and brewer spent his younger years as a chemist and brings scientific precision to all of Macalister’s beers.

After finding success in home brewing, the Macalister team decided they needed a warehouse to brew in. Their venue hunt led them to a beautiful building with views out over the cane fields. They were so beautiful they would build a bar there too! Choose to sit down and enjoy a freshly poured beer, or purchase a traveller, the perfect way to enjoy a Macalister Beer in your own home.

Open five days a week, and located just 300m from the bus stop, Macalister Brewing Co is the perfect place to settle in for an evening. Plus, with food trucks regularly pulling in to serve dinner you’ll leave with a full stomach too!

• Barrier Reef Brewing Co

Cam traces his love for beer, and cold drinks, to the day his pet frog jumped into a visitor’s cup of tea. From this he says he learnt two things; caring for wildlife is a full-time job and you should always stick to cold drinks.

After years of caring for wildlife and enjoying beer in Scotland, he and his wife Caz hightailed it back to Cairns. They quickly shared their love of good beer with Cam’s hometown. The duo works tirelessly to bring Cairns the best ales possible. Using pure water, local ingredients, and scientific precision, they have what they believe to be the pinnacle of beers.

• Copperlode Brewing Co

With over 10 years of brewmaster experience, Copperlode Brewing Co. is one of the newer breweries that only opened in 2023!

This hidden gem is in the heart of Cairns that produces some quality craft beers for the locals and new travellers. Copperloade Brewing Co. only uses the finest local ingredients and water from Copperlode Dam.

Pick a beer and taste the authentic tropical beer in a glass, made freshly in North Queensland. The brewery aims to serve unique and tasty craft beers for you to enjoy on a hot afternoon with your mates after work or on a holiday.

Cairns may be a small city by Australian standards, but it certainly has its fair share of attractions and great breweries! The mighty craft brewing scene is producing delicious beer perfect to cool down with when you’re staying in the tropical city.

Related article: Holidaying In Cairns