If you’re someone who enjoys craft beer or locally made cider, Northern Tasmania has some treats in store! The region is home to plenty of relaxed destinations where you can sample drinks made with Tasmanian ingredients (and meet the people behind the products), from Launceston’s urban brewpubs to apple orchards on the North West Coast.
As locals, we’ve got a few insider tips when it comes to finding the best breweries and cideries in Northern Tasmania, whether you’re planning a weekend in Launceston or exploring the towns around Devonport and Deloraine.
All of the following venues can be visited independently or incorporated into a tasting road trip. Many also serve meals, making them ideal places to stop for a leisurely lunch, and some also host live music and trivia nights.
If you’re planning a brewery or cidery road trip in Northern Tasmania, it’s best to group your visits geographically, rather than trying to fit everything into one afternoon. Not sure where to start? We can help you plan an itinerary visiting some of the region’s best, all with the benefit of a designated driver.
While we’ve included current opening hours with each of the below listings, please remember that these can change. We’d recommend checking the venue’s official website or socials before setting out - this is also where you’ll find seasonal and special events, such as food truck sessions and live music nights.
1. Du Cane Brewing, Launceston
Located on Elizabeth Street in central Launceston, Du Cane Brewing is a welcoming brewpub inspired by Tasmania’s wilderness and outdoor culture. The brewery produces a changing selection of styles ranging from easy-drinking pale ales to hop-forward IPAs and darker seasonal brews.
In the dining hall, you can feast on wood-fired pizzas featuring interesting ingredients like wallaby salami and local truffles. In keeping with the brewpub’s “outdoorsy”theme, National Parks passes and Tasmanian fishing licenses can also be purchased at the bar.
Opening hours: 12:00 to 20:00 daily (until 22:00 on Friday and Saturday).
2. James Boag Brewhouse, Launceston
James Boag is one of Tasmania’s best-known beer names, with a brewing history closely associated with Launceston. The James Boag Brewhouse on William Street is a great place to stop if you’re interested in the local brewing traditions, with guided tours showcasing the brand’s state-of-the-art facility.
Within the historic site is a newly renovated tasting room where you can sample James Boag’s Draught, XXX Ale, Premium and St. George beers. Pair your visit with a wander through Launceston’s heritage streets or a meal at one of the city’s nearby restaurants.
Opening hours: 10:45 to 18:00 daily (until 19:00 on Friday and Saturday). Brewery tours cost $47.45 and are free for Tasmanian residents.
3. Spreyton Cider Co, Aberdeen
For a taste of Tasmania’s apple-growing heritage, head to Spreyton Cider Co, around 10 minutes’ drive south of Devonport. This family-owned business has been growing apples in the region since 1908, and its cider is made using fruit grown in its own orchard.
At the cider bar, you can order tasting paddles featuring seasonal releases, along with ginger beer and non-alcoholic options. There’s also a kitchen serving locally inspired meals, making Spreyton an excellent lunch stop on a road trip between Devonport and Cradle Mountain.
Opening hours: 10:00 to 17:00 daily.
4. Island State Brewing, Devonport
Located on Oldaker Street in Devonport, Island State Brewing is a great place to discover the beer scene of Tassie’s North West. This independent brewery has an on-site taproom, complete with stainless-steel brewing equipment that provides a glimpse into the production process.
The beer range includes Island State Lager, Ranga Red Ale, Boomshaklaka Imperial IPA and Clu Tropicana Hazy IPA, with other brews available depending on the season. The heated beer garden adds to Island State Brewing’s appeal, as do the pizzas and visiting food trucks.
Opening hours: 15:00 to 21:00 Wednesday and Thursday; 12:00 to 22:00 Friday and Saturday; 12:00 to 20:00 Sunday.
5. Penguin Beer Co, Penguin
Situated on Main Road in the coastal town of Penguin, this waterfront tap house and diner offers wonderful views across Bass Strait. Its motto, “Brews, Chews & Views”, really does capture the experience: locally brewed beer, satisfying food and a coastal setting.
The brewery’s range includes Little Penguin Session Ale, King Penguin Pale Ale and Emperor Penguin IPA - we’d recommend grabbing a tasting paddle to compare the beers. Alternatively, you can pair a pint of your favourite with everything from burgers to Mexican-inspired dishes. Live music, trivia nights and other events make this a popular local haunt.
Opening hours: 12:00 to 20:00 daily (until 21:00 Friday and Saturday).
6. Red Brick Road Ciderworks & Distillery, Deloraine
Set on the banks of the Meander River in historic Deloraine, Red Brick Road Ciderworks & Distillery offers a different take on Tasmania’s craft beverage scene. The venue combines cider-making with small-batch distilling - it’s a great stop if you’re visiting with a gin drinker.
Drop in to sample the available ciders, perries and spirits, which are produced using locally sourced fruit and traditional methods. The experience here is all very laidback - you can chat with the people behind the drinks, put on a vinyl record or challenge your travel companions to a board game.
Opening hours: 12:00 to 18:00 Wednesday to Sunday (until 20:00 on Friday).
7. Bush Inn Brewhouse, Deloraine
This historic, family-owned pub brews small batches of beer, with a focus on creative flavours and Tasmanian ingredients. Its range changes over time, and previous creations have included distinctive options such as the Truffle Hound Stout.
There’s plenty to enjoy beyond the beer. The kitchen (which cooks all day) serves sourdough pizzas, traditional pub favourites and Asian-inspired dishes. If you’re in Deloraine on a sunny day, the patio/beer garden is the perfect place to spend a leisurely afternoon.
Opening hours: 12:00 to 21:00 Wednesday to Saturday
8. Little Green Men Brewing, Deloraine
Located at the British Hotel on Deloraine’s main street, this traditional country pub has been serving the community since 1859. Its small-batch brewing operation brings a modern craft beer focus to the venue, with a range that includes everything from sour beers and wheat beers to IPAs, porters and traditional real ale.
Little Green Men Brewing has a really laidback atmosphere - kids and well-behaved dogs are welcome too! The kitchen serves lunch and dinner, with a menu that features burgers, seafood dishes and pub classics like parmis, BBQ ribs and bangers and mash.
Opening hours: 11:00 to 21:00 daily.
9. Communion Brewing Co, Burnie
Located on Wilmot Street, Communion Brewing Co brings craft beer and a contemporary pub atmosphere to Burnie’s dining scene. It combines house-brewed beer (IPAs, lagers and stouts) with a menu that includes everything from freshly shucked oysters to Vietnamese pho and Philly steak sangas.
In our opinion, Communion Brewing Co is a great place for date nights, with cosy booths, sofas and a tree table where you can settle in with your significant other. The venue also hosts live music and trivia nights if you’re looking for evening entertainment in Burnie.
Opening hours: 12:00 to 21:00 daily (until 22:30 on Friday and Saturday).
10. Buttons Brewing, Ulverstone
What began as a home-brewing project has grown into a small commercial operation, and we love to see it! Based in the coastal town of Ulverstone, Buttons Brewing produces beers with a distinctly local identity, including its Hazard Pale Ale and North West Draught Kölsch-style ale. Generally speaking, the range is brewed in small batches, although popular recipes are produced in larger quantities to meet demand.
While you can find the Buttons Brewing brand at select local pubs and craft beer venues, there’s also the opportunity to visit the taproom. Coincide your visit with a Friday or Sunday afternoon to sample the core range (and some sneaky new releases) or keep an eye on their socials for special events and food truck nights.
Opening hours: 16:00 to 19:00 on Friday and Sunday