HILLS BREWERY TRAIL
Hop Your Way Through

Breweries to Hop Between in the Adelaide Hills

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.”

🍺 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. Check it out.

🍺 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. Check it out.

🍺 Uraidla Brewery – Uraidla
Tucked 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’s 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. Check it out.

🍺 Grünthal Brew – Verdun
Grünthal is a triple (actually, quadruple) threat: beer, cheese (Udder Delights), wine (Hesketh), and gin. The site itself has a fascinating history: it started 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. Check it out

🍺 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. Check it out.

🍺 Gulf Brewery – Hahndorf
Right in the thick of Hahndorf’s main street, Gulf Brewery has been keeping visitors refreshed for nearly two decades. The space feels like a cross between a cosy pub and a tasting room, and the beers range from crisp lagers to seasonal specials. Fun fact: the brewer often uses local produce in small-batch brews, so you might just taste the Hills in your glass. Check it out.

🍺 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. Check it out.

🍺 Lot 100 – Nairne
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, even the spent grain from brewing goes to local cattle. Check it out.