Craft beer in the southern highlands is a movement that is growing

Craft beer is booming in the Southern Highlands. From Mittagong’s Eden Brewery to Moss Vale’s Southern Highlands Brewing Company, we’ve got you covered.

The Southern Highlands is referred to by many in the wine industry are referring to as “the new Hunter Valley”, because of the exciting array of wineries here. But there’s also a buzzing craft beer scene that you simply must check out.

Craft Beer At Eden Brewery

This Mittagong watering hole has making a name for its incredible and unique brews. There’s the ever-popular Birch Wheat, a Belgian wheat beer with sunflower seeds in the mix. Blueberry Sour is brewed with over 100kg of blueberries and boasts a beautiful pink blush. Joshua Tree Lager is a lighter ale that harks back to owner Jacob Newman’s USA roots.

Beer That Gives Back

But Eden Brewery serves more than just beer. It also delivers plenty of good will.

Owners Jacob Newman and wife Deb donate 10 percent of all profits to Oxfam. Oxfam is a charity that works to provide clean drinking water to underdeveloped societies. If that isn’t a good enough reason to stop by and sample their eight-beer tasting paddles, a taster glass, middy or schooner, then I don’t know what is.

The interior is fitted out with long picnic tables, which sit adjacent to the enormous brewing vats. There’s also plenty of outdoor, do-friendly seating, perfect for a sunny afternoon. Jacob and Deb encourage punters to bring their own picnic basket, buy a beer and enjoy both at their leisure.

Chow Down

Don’t want to pack a picnic basket? Never fear. Chef Nathan from permanent on-site food truck Boozy Burgers serves up some of the best burgers in the district. All burgers are inspired by the beers. The same grains made to use the buns are used to make the beers. The pickles are even made using beer. Furthermore, there’s the beer-inspired BBQ sauce that makes your burger all the more tasty and indeed, moreish.

The communal picnic tables inside Eden Brewery sit alongside the enormous brewing vats

Follow their Instagram page for innovative weekly specials!

Take it home

Finally, don’t leave without a ‘Growler’. Choose from a one or two litre container that will keep the beer of your choice chilled for 24hours. Incidentally, they also own and operate Renegade Spirits, which produces a line of locally-inspired liquors such as Limecello and Orangecello, with ingredients sourced from local producers. Sip a nip on ice during your visit, or take a bottle home to mix your own cocktails.

Be sure to take home a Growler from Eden Brewery

Southern Highlands Brewing Company Taphouse and Kitchen

Meanwhile, over in Moss Vale, the elegance of The Southern Highlands tap House will draw you in, indeed, making every visit feel like a special occasion.

The Taphouse on Argyle Street in Moss Vale is always bustling

It was conceived in 2015 over a Bowral Blacks rugby game. The brewery is a collaboration between Head Brewer Cameron James and his good mate Ben Twomey who certainly know a great beer when they taste one.

The two launched Taphouse in 2017 to resounding success with both locals and tourists alike. The carefully crafted menu of ‘beer cuisine’ perfectly accompanies your lager. Just as well, as there are nine locally brewed choices to work your way through. So, you’ll want to line your stomach with something truly delicious! I also love that this list of lagers includes an “invitational” tap, which is provided on a rotational basis for like-minded breweries to sell their comparably delicious sips.

The ‘beer cuisine’ at the Taphouse does not disappoint

Don’t Forget The Decor

I just adore the spacious interior with its quirky wallpaper, Euro feel and large group tables, which fit up to 14 people. My don’t-miss suggestions include Naked Harvest Australian Blonde, which is a light, easy drinking brew that’s fabulous with their fish and chips (ale-battered, of course). Celtic Red Ale, with flavours of raisin, roast and nutmeg, is best enjoyed grass-fed T-bone steak or confit of duck.