There are so many Mornington Peninsula breweries that it seems more are popping up each year. The Mornington Peninsula is quickly becoming a hot spot for all things alcohol, with wineries and breweries around every corner. I don’t mean just beer, either – there are also cider breweries alongside many more classic beer breweries.
These 10 crafty Mornington Peninsula breweries each make different kinds of their own beer and cider and draw in crowds not only from the Mornington Peninsula but also from around Victoria. So if you’re looking to find some good places for a freshly brewed drink in Victoria, keep reading!
If you’re looking for wineries, I have a whole article on Mornington Peninsula Wineries as well. You can visit both wineries and breweries on a well-rounded day trip from Melbourne!
Beer Breweries on the Mornington Peninsula
Red Hill Brewery
While Red Hill is better known for wine, Red Hill Brewery is a must-see of the Mornington Peninsula Breweries and makes for a beautiful drive even if it is a bit out of the way.
With beers ranging from classic lagers, pale ales, and stouts to seasonal varieties (the Christmas Ale is a favorite) and limited edition beers, there really is something for everyone.
It also features Sarah’s authentic Barbecue, serving up sandwiches, chicken wings, and loaded tater tots on Thursdays and Fridays, and the Southern Style Texan Barbecue every weekend. If that’s not a perfect companion to a cold beer, I don’t know what is!
If you truly can’t get enough (to the point you want to stay the night at the brewery), you actually can! Book a stay in the three-bedroom Brewers Cottage at Red Hill Brewery for the full experience.
St Andrews Beach Brewery
Located a little further out than most of the other Mornington Peninsula Breweries, you’ll find St Andrews Brewery on your way to the surf beaches of the Mornington Peninsula. Located between St Andrew’s Beach and Fingal, it’s actually really close to one of the most popular tourist attractions of the area, the Peninsula Hot Springs.
The location itself is lovely and secluded, but can be an issue if you plan on having a few, as taxis and Ubers are a little more difficult to get in the area.
To be completely honest with you, this Mornington Peninsula Brewery was quite disappointing for us. There was a very limited selection of basic beers, none of which stood out enough to write home about. Out of the tasting paddle, I would recommend the Pale Ale the most if any!
St Andrews Brewery does have an amazing atmosphere; however, it is essentially a huge beer garden with small side booths for reservations called the ‘stables.’ It has a family-friendly live band, delicious pizza, and pub styled foods, which make up for the beer a little! The milk fried chicken burger was our favourite.
Mornington Brewery (Now Tar Barrel Brewery & Distillery)
One of the first Mornington Peninsula Breweries was the aptly named Mornington Peninsula Brewery, which was sold to and reopened in the same venue by the same owners as Tar Barrel Brewery and Distillery with the same authentic taste and vibe – with a focus on craft beers and pizza!
Small but with a really nice outdoor area and an intimate upstairs that overlooks the brewing tanks themselves, it is also known to have a few bands or the odd DJ play. The brewery is dog-friendly and I couldn’t help but pat every pup I saw.
Located on Watt Road in the industrial area of Mornington, the brewery is located near one of my favorite cafes in Mornington, Common Folk, and has really contributed to turning this once-avoided area into a really trendy place.
With a very wide range of specialty beers, we couldn’t help but go back again and again for four different sour beers, which were perfect in summer. They also serve a selection of wood-fired pizzas for when you need to soak up the alcohol a bit.
Dainton Brewery
Whilst Dainton Brewery is not technically one of the Mornington Peninsula Breweries, I had to put it on the list as it is located just before the Mornington Peninsula in Carrum Downs, and absolutely amazing!
Owing to the fact it had a really weird and wonderful variety of beers, like an Aperol smash, sangria sour, peach iced tea NEIPA or a margarita flavoured beer, it was really one of the most creative for beer choices. We purchased 4×4 packs to take home because they were so good!
With a generous outdoor beer garden, the shed-like brewery is located in the industrial area just off the start of the Peninsula Link. Whilst the location was a little secluded and could prove troublesome to get to and from, it was well worth popping into on the way down to the Mornington Peninsula. For these interesting and amazing beers, I’d do it again and again!
TWOBAYS Brewing Co (Gluten Free Beer)
Whilst Two Bays Brewery is not exactly my first option for Mornington Peninsula Breweries, it is unique that it is the only gluten free brewery on the Mornington Peninsula (if not in Melbourne?).
They have a few gluten-free beers, including an IPA, a lager, and a Pale Ale, and serve gluten-free pizza also, making it a must for any celiacs who have been missing or never tasted a nice cold beer.
Located on Trewhith Court in Dromana, it is fairly close to the shops and the beach in Dromana and has a range of imported boutique beers from all over the world too.
Jetty Road Brewery
Probably the closest of the Mornington Peninsula Breweries to the beach, Jetty Road Brewery is located on Brasser Avenue in the Industrial area of Dromana, right near the Dromana 3 Drive-in Cinemas.
With a range of specialty beers on tap and a selection of standard beers, most people find it very reasonably priced. It’s definitely popular with the younger crowd, but it’s still entirely likely you’ll find a few local regulars who don’t mind having a few too many and a bit of a dance to the music.
Jetty Road Brewery is also popular on the weekends and during the summer holidays, as it is much easier to get to than some of the other more remote Mornington Peninsula Breweries.
With a menu of grazing plates for the afternoon snacks and larger servings of slow-cooked share style meats from the ‘Butchers Block’ for dinner, it’s basically a one-stop-shop for eats AND drinks.
Banks Brewery
Banks Brewery is located in Frankston, so not quite one of the Mornington Peninsula Breweries, but at least worthy of an honorable mention. Starting back in the owner’s house in 2016, the beer selection is highly regarded and the menu has something for most people.
Whilst Frankston is certainly not a place I would recommend going out, this brewery is worthy of popping into for a quick drink. Keep your guard up though, this part of Frankston does have a reputation. Don’t say I didn’t I warn you!
Cider Breweries on the Mornington Peninsula
Mock Red Hill
Mock Red Hill does well rounding out the beer, wine, and cider trifecta in the area! The farm has grown apples for 5 generations, and produces other products as well as cider such as apple cider vinegar and sparkling juice.
Keeping with the Mornington Peninsula Breweries theme, however, you must try the apple (3 different kinds) and pear cider! The fruit is all organic and sustainably sourced in a lovely family-owned farm.
Mr Little Cider
Located directly next door to Jetty Road Brewery just outside Dromana, it would be rude not to check out one of the most awesome local crafty cider breweries on the Mornington Peninsula – Mr. Little Cider.
Mr Little doesn’t only brew apple cider, but MANY different fun kinds of cider as well! Imagine fun cider flavors like blackcurrant, strawberry lime, pear, or ginger apple… or a paddle to try them all (which to me is the obvious choice :P)
It’s won many different kinds of awards, so make sure to check it out. They do not serve food, however, so you’ll have to pop next door to Jetty Road if you get hungry!
Plan Your Trip
If you’d like to visit some of these Mornington Peninsula breweries, there are lots of ways!
Day Trip from Melbourne:
The best way to check out these breweries if you are staying in Melbourne is to take a day trip. This tour here visits a selection of breweries and wineries to make a well-rounded day trip from the city.
Check out more of my favorite day trips from Melbourne here.
Stay in the Area
If you will be staying in Mornington, there are some amazing places to stay to make a true getaway.
Remote Winery Hotel SPLURGE – Jackalope Hotel
Luxury Near the Beach – Carmel at Sorrento
Read more about Melbourne Weekend Getaways here.
Thanks for reading about these awesome Mornington Peninsula Breweries! Which one was your favorite?
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