Yes, the Hills are famous for wine, but we've also got a serious knack for beer. From tiny sheds with cult followings to big, bold brew halls, here's my hit list of local spots where the beer is fresh, the stories are rich, and the scenery makes you want to stay for just one more.
HOP YOUR WAY THROUGH THE HILLS
Seven breweries worth the drive
1. Lobethal Bierhaus (Lobethal)
You can smell the malt before you even step inside. Housed in the old Onkaparinga Woollen Mill, a nod to Lobethal's German heritage, the Bierhaus has been pouring pints since 2007. The tasting paddles are generous, the food is hearty, and if you sit in the beer garden on a sunny afternoon, you can almost picture the mill workers from a century ago clocking off for a beer.
Where: Lobethal
Perfect for: A long lunch with a tasting paddle and a bit of history.
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2. Prancing Pony Brewery (Totness)
This one's got a bit of a wild streak. Using a rare Southern German fire brewing method, the beer takes on a richer, more caramelised depth. They've won awards all over the world, but the vibe in the brewshed is still unpretentious: long tables, clinking glasses and a strong local following. Legend has it the name came from the idea of a place where everyone is welcome, and it's true.
Where: Totness, near Mount Barker
Perfect for: Award-winning beer without a scrap of pretension.
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3. Uraidla Brewery (Uraidla)
Beside the Uraidla Hotel, this small but mighty brewery made national headlines when its Vampiric Throne Red IPA was crowned Champion Independent Beer in Australia. The brewery is set inside a former post office and bakery, so the bones of the building have plenty of history. Pair your pint with a wander through Uraidla's eclectic main street and you'll understand why this place has such a loyal fanbase.
Where: Uraidla
Perfect for: A pint and a wander through one of the Hills' best main streets.
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4. Grünthal Brew (Verdun)
Grünthal is a triple (actually, quadruple) threat: beer, cheese from Udder Delights, wine from Hesketh, and gin. The site itself has a fascinating history, starting life as a woollen mill in the 1890s before becoming a cheese factory. Now it's where locals gather for lazy afternoons in the backyard that overlooks the Onkaparinga River, grazing boards stacked high, and a beer list that caters to both easy drinkers and hop chasers.
Where: Verdun
Perfect for: Beer, cheese, wine and gin in one riverside backyard.
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5. Union Bridge Brewery (Cudlee Creek)
A little off the beaten track, Union Bridge is set in a lovingly restored cold store that dates back to the early 20th century, when Cudlee Creek was a hub for apple and pear growers. The name honours the nearby bridge, a local landmark. Expect beers that are approachable but full of character, much like the people pouring them.
Where: Cudlee Creek
Perfect for: Getting properly off the main road for the afternoon.
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6. Hahndorf Brewing Co. (Hahndorf)
One of the newer names in town, Hahndorf Brewing Co. has already made its mark with bold, flavoursome beers and a relaxed, social vibe. Their taproom feels like the kind of place you can wander into after a stroll through the village and stay for hours. Keep an eye out for their seasonal brews, they love to experiment.
Where: Hahndorf
Perfect for: A stop you can walk to after wandering the village.
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7. Lot 100 (Hay Valley)
This is where the Adelaide Hills beer, wine and spirits worlds collide. Home to Mismatch Brewing Co., Adelaide Hills Distillery, Hills Cider Company, and a kitchen doing beautiful share plates, it sits on a working farm just outside Nairne. The collective was built with sustainability in mind, and even the spent grain from brewing goes to local cattle.
Where: Hay Valley, just outside Nairne
Perfect for: One stop when you want beer, wine, cider and gin together.
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PLAN YOUR BREWERY DAY
The trail spreads right across the Hills, so pick a pocket rather than trying to tick off all seven in one go. Hahndorf Brewing Co. sits right in the middle of town if you want a stop you can walk to. Verdun and Totness sit close together for an easy Grünthal and Prancing Pony pairing. And if you want the full beer, wine and spirits spread in one stop, Lot 100 near Nairne has it covered. Line up a driver, take it slow, and let the scenery do the rest.
Header photo: Grunthal Brew. Body photo: State Government Photographer, State Library of South Australia, via Wikimedia Commons, CC0.