New Brewery Alert

Four new breweries for the Sunshine Coast!

I’m always excited to hear a whisper, rumour or speculation about a new brewery opening and adding to the fine list we already have here on the Sunshine Coast, or Australia’s Craft Beer Capital as it’s also known.

It’s even more exciting when those rumours are confirmed, venues locked in, brewing equipment delivered, and the first batch brewed and ready to consume!

So, you can imagine how my excitement levels peaked when I heard that not 1, but 4 breweries were opening in the second half of 2023. With the head count previously at 20 breweries you might ask how this is even possible. I’ve been asked a million times if the market is already saturated, but the short answer is that the demand is still growing for venues that offer a great food and drink experience, and the parochial Sunshine Coast community wanting the chance to claim somewhere as their ‘local’.

Ok so let’s get down to who is behind these 4 new venues by starting with one that is already open, has beer in bottle, and is also doing things a little differently in producing barrel aged beers. Wild Barrel is the brainchild of Shane Kent (formerly at Terella Brewing) and is based in the Noosa Hinterland region outside of Cooroy. While there is no taproom or options to visit just yet (watch this space), these barrel aged beauties add a new dimension to the local beer offering and are available to purchase online. I can vouch that they are well worth getting your hands on and highly recommend checking out their Pilsner and Wild Thing.

The second brewery about to open its doors is already well established locally with an existing venue in Alexandra Headlands that they have well and truly outgrown. So, it’s no surprise that the crew from 10 Toes Brewing are opening a new production site, taproom and restaurant scheduled to open early November. Based in North Buderim in the site of an old IGA, this new venue is perfectly positioned in a high catchment area for beer thirsty patrons and the large footprint gives them space for live music, functions and of course the capacity to produce significantly larger quantities of beer. The original site will remain open which is great news as I know it holds countless memories for many locals including myself.

The third brewery which is also scheduled to open in November is from newcomers Coolum Beer Co who will set up shop in the Coolum Industrial area as neighbours to Blackflag Brewing and Dacelo Distillery. Head brewer Jesse is no stranger to the local scene and was formerly based out at Noosa Hinterland Brewing Co. The new brewery is planned to have relaxed and cosy brewpub feel with a small brewery and canning line with a focus on taproom sales.

The fourth has taken up residence in an old iconic pub in Eumundi called Joe’s Waterhole. Famous for their ginger beer, Matso’s are in the process of installing a brewery and building out a full taproom and restaurant experience that will give visitors and locals of Eumundi the choice between Matso’s and Eumundi Brewery at the Imperial Hotel.

It might sound hard to believe but that takes the total number of breweries to 24 on the Sunshine Coast, with distilleries hot on their tail coming it at 11 with a few more on the horizon. Is there something in the water or just the lure of the relaxed lifestyle? Whatever it is, there really is no excuse not to support local business when you want to head out for a drink with family or friends, or to stock the fridge at home.