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Most people come to Margaret River for the wine. And if you’re a craft beer lover or a gin enthusiast, this region might just blow your expectations wide open.
The Margaret River breweries and distilleries scene has grown into one of Australia’s most exciting, with more than a dozen venues spread across lush bushland, converted dairy farms, and stunning coastal properties.
Whether you’re planning a dedicated Margaret River beer trail or you’ve simply found yourself between winery visits with a thirst for something different, this post has you covered.
| Quick ReadMargaret River is home to more than 10 craft breweries and several award-winning distilleries, making it one of Western Australia’s top destinations for craft beer and spirits lovers. This post helps couples, groups, and food-and-drink enthusiasts plan the perfect brewery-and-distillery trail. It covers the best venues, signature pours, a suggested day itinerary, and handy tips for visiting responsibly. |
What are the Best Breweries to Visit in Margaret River?
Margaret River is home to some of Western Australia’s most celebrated craft breweries, each with a distinct personality, award-winning beers, and a setting that makes lingering feel very easy.
You’ll find everything here, from sprawling family-friendly farms to intimate cellar-door brewpubs tucked into the forest.
Cheeky Monkey is one of those places that instantly wins you over. Established in 2012 on Caves Road in Wilyabrup, this independently owned brewery combines a lively restaurant, sweeping lake and vineyard views, and a playground that keeps the kids happy.
The Australian Lager is a crowd favourite on a warm afternoon. Order a tasting paddle and work your way through the core range—you might surprise yourself.
Best for: Families, groups, and anyone who wants a proper sit-down lunch with their beers.
This is one of the most scenically stunning Margaret River breweries you’ll visit. And it is run by three siblings on their family’s property in Eagle Bay.
Their six handcrafted, preservative-free beers, including a Kolsch, Pale Ale, Cacao Stout, and India Pale Lager, are made with real care, and the seasonal food menu leans heavily on local produce. The ocean views from the deck are pretty hard to beat. Bookings are recommended, especially on weekends.
Best for: Couples, sunset views, and craft beer purists.
CBCo has been pouring since 2004, making it one of the original players in Margaret River’s craft beer scene. The venue is a big, well-loved operation on Osmington Road, complete with a playground, grassy lawns, and the brilliant Short Iron Range. Think floating golf targets on the dam and cold beer in hand. Plus, live music on Saturdays adds to the fun.
Best for: Large groups, families, and a sunny afternoon session.
Beerfarm in Metricup is a unique experience that is set on 65 hectares of a converted 1940s dairy farm. It’s a working brewery, restaurant, and event venue all in one. The sustainability credentials are impressive: spent grain feeds the cattle, water is recycled, and produce is sourced from neighbouring farms.
Their Native Series collaborations, featuring Indigenous ingredients like quandong and wattleseed, are not to be missed. The summer slip-and-slide is a hit for families.
Best for: Sustainability-minded visitors, families, and those who want something a little different.
Cowaramup Brewing has a warm, community feel that draws you in. It is located among lush pastures and open plains in the township of Cowaramup. And it’s also a great mid-trail stop. Their five-beer tasting paddle is a great value, and the Lightsign mid-strength ale has earned fans for its sessionable, low-bitterness character.
Best for: A relaxed mid-day pause on the beer trail.
The Brewhouse Margaret River is owned and run by three local families and sits on the edge of town, surrounded by tall jarrah and karri trees. It has a genuine community feel and a menu that goes well beyond typical brewery fare. It’s one of those places where locals and visitors feel equally at home.
Best for: Anyone after an authentic, locally rooted experience.
Rocky Ridge is located in Jindong near Busselton and has one of the most compelling stories on the trail. Founder Hamish Coates grows his own hops and barley on the family farm—the motto ‘everything we brew, we grow’ isn’t just marketing.
They are recognised as one of Australia’s most-awarded independent craft breweries, and their taphouse in a refurbished 1930s Busselton home is a great addition to your trail day.
Best for: Beer enthusiasts and sustainability advocates who love a great back story.
- The Sophisticated Beast
For something truly off the beaten path, head to this tiny farmhouse-style cellar door in Vasse. This family-run operation produces small-batch beers with unusual flavour combinations.
Chat with brewer Ryan, who’s more than happy to walk you through what’s fermenting. If you’re in Margaret River on a Saturday morning, you can also find them at the local Farmers Market.
Best for: Beer geeks and adventurous palates.
What are the Best Distilleries in Margaret River?
The Margaret River distilleries scene is smaller than the brewery scene, but punches well above its weight. Margaret River spirits range from native-botanical gins to single malt whiskies, and the venues themselves are well worth the visit.
West Winds has been distilling in the region since 2010 and is one of Australia’s most awarded gin producers. Their Discovery Centre in Cowaramup is a beautifully designed warehouse-style venue with a distillery, tasting room, tavern, and beer garden.
The spirits are made with distinctly Australian ingredients: sea parsley, bush tomatoes, and Davidson plums. Spirit flights are available at the cellar door, and the tavern serves excellent food to pair alongside them.
Don’t miss: The Negroni made with their Navy Strength Gin.
This is the home of Giniversity Gin, located right in the heart of Margaret River town. Head Distiller and founder Cameron Syme has been crafting premium spirits since 2004.
The venue is set among native peppermint trees and offers a full menu, tasting flights covering gin, whisky, vodka, and more. Plus the standout Gin Blending Class, where you design and take home your own 500ml bottle. It’s also dog-friendly and a short walk from the town centre.
Don’t miss: The Gin Blending Class, so book ahead.
The Grove is the region’s original distillery. It produces a fascinating range of liqueurs, gins, absinthe, rum, and single malt whisky from a beautiful bush setting overlooking a dam.
The stone-fired pizza café makes it a great lunch stop, and the rustic cellar door has real character. Expect to spend time chatting about the spirits—the team loves telling the story behind every bottle.
Don’t miss: The corn mash maple whisky—unusual, but very worth trying.
Wild Lot is a female-founded, family-run distillery in Karridale with a genuine garden-to-glass philosophy. Their debut Fortuna Gin celebrates seasonal botanicals, and the Saturday Gin Sessions in summer are a lovely way to spend an afternoon. Note that the distillery is open only on Fridays and Saturdays.
Don’t miss: The DIY Garnish Bar at Summer Gin Sessions.
Beyond Distilling is one of the few producers in the region making their base spirit entirely from scratch. Head Distiller Greg sources locally grown grain and fresh WA botanicals, ferments and distils everything on-site, and doesn’t outsource a single step.
The result is a range of gins and vodkas with real character: the Shiraz Gin and the experimental x17 Pink are standouts. Signature tastings run for 30 minutes and are priced at just $10, making it one of the best-value experiences on the trail. The Beyond Gin Academy also lets you build your own custom gin to take home.
Don’t miss: The 30-minute guided tasting with Greg himself; his knowledge makes the whole experience.
What Does a Great Craft Beer and Spirits Trail Day Look Like?
Photo credit: Unsplash
A well-planned day on the Margaret River beer trail is easy to string together. The venues are naturally spread along the Caves Road and Bussell Highway corridors.
Half-Day Trail (approx. 4 hours)
- Morning start: Cheeky Monkey Brewing Co (Caves Road, Wilyabrup). Enjoy tasting paddle and a view of the lake
- Late morning: Stop in at Cowaramup Brewing Company for a five-beer tasting paddle
- Lunch: Visit Beerfarm in Metricup for a paddock-to-plate lunch with award-winning beers
Full-Day Trail (approx. 7-8 hours)
- Morning: Start with a Kolsch and ocean air at Eagle Bay Brewing Co
- Mid-morning: Go to Cheeky Monkey Brewing Co for a tasting paddle and playground for the kids
- Lunch: Head to Beerfarm in Metricup for a paddock-to-plate lunch
- Afternoon: Savour spirit flight and cocktails in the tavern at West Winds Distillery
- Late afternoon: Close the day with a gin tasting or blending class at Margaret River Distilling Company
Insider tip: Pair a brewery lunch at Beerfarm with a detour to one of the nearby scenic viewpoints along Caves Road. The karri and jarrah forests make for a beautiful afternoon walk between stops.
What Should You Know Before Visiting Margaret River Breweries?
Best Times to Visit
Autumn (March to May) and spring (September to November) offer the most comfortable temperatures for outdoor brewery visits. Summer brings festivals, live music, and the famous Beerfarm slip-and-slide. Winter is cosy, and the Cheeky Monkey’s roaring indoor fires are a genuine highlight on a cold afternoon.
Getting Around
Self-driving is the most flexible option, but a designated driver or a guided brewery tour is strongly recommended if you plan to taste at multiple venues. Several local operators run dedicated Margaret River beer trail tours with pickup from your accommodation. Taxis and rideshare options are available in the Margaret River township.
Drinking Responsibly
Always eat when you’re tasting, as brewery menus are designed for exactly this purpose. Pace yourself across a full-day trail, and if you’re self-driving between venues, stick to tasting portions rather than full serves. Many venues offer non-alcoholic options, soft drinks, and local juices, so designated drivers are very well catered for.
Where Should You Stay During Your Brewery and Distillery Visit?
A comfortable base makes all the difference on a food-and-drink trail. Exclusive Escapes offers a handpicked collection of Margaret River holiday homes, ideally positioned to explore the region’s breweries, distilleries, and wineries.
Whether you’re a couple looking for a romantic Margaret River getaway or a group of friends after something with plenty of space, there are options to suit.
If you’re planning to combine brewery visits with wine touring or beach time, the Yallingup and Dunsborough areas offer excellent access to the northern end of the brewery trail, including Eagle Bay Brewing Co and CBCo.
Start Your Margaret River Craft Beer & Spirits Trail
There’s no better way to explore things to do in Margaret River than following your nose (and your taste buds) through the region’s incredible craft beer and spirits scene. Look through our handpicked Margaret River holiday homes and secure your base for the ultimate brewery trail experience.
Frequently Asked Questions about Margaret River Breweries
How many breweries are in the Margaret River region?
The Margaret River region is home to more than a dozen craft breweries, including well-known names like Cheeky Monkey, Eagle Bay Brewing Co, CBCo, and Beerfarm.
Are Margaret River breweries family-friendly?
Yes, most of the major Margaret River breweries are designed with families in mind. Cheeky Monkey, CBCo, and Beerfarm all have playgrounds or open grassy areas for children. Several also offer dedicated kids’ menus alongside their food offerings.
What is the best way to do a Margaret River beer trail?
The best approach is to plan three to five stops in a logical geographic route along Caves Road and the Bussell Highway corridor. Book a guided tour if you’d like to taste freely without worrying about driving, or nominate a designated driver for a self-drive day.
What Margaret River spirits are worth trying?
West Winds Gin’s The Cutlass is a must. It won Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and is a benchmark Australian gin. Giniversity Gin at the Margaret River Distilling Company is another standout. And the Grove Distillery’s corn mash maple whisky is also a unique local spirit worth trying.
Do Margaret River distilleries offer experiences beyond tastings?
Yes. The Margaret River Distilling Company runs a popular Gin Blending Class where you design your own bespoke gin and take home a 500ml bottle. West Winds Gin offers group spirit flights and masterclasses. Beyond Distilling in nearby Busselton runs the Beyond Gin Academy, where you can create your own gin to take home.
Is food available at Margaret River breweries?
Yes, most venues serve food, ranging from casual bar snacks and pizza to full restaurant menus featuring local produce. Beerfarm is celebrated for its paddock-to-plate kitchen. Eagle Bay Brewing Co serves a seasonal share-plate menu.
Featured Photo credit: Lasthib, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikipedia Commons