Best Breweries in Perth: Local's Guide to Craft Beer in Western Australia

Despite what the eastern states might have you think, Western Australia is the birthplace of Australia’s modern beer movement.

When the country’s first genuine craft brewery, Matilda Bay, opened its brewpub doors in Fremantle back in 1983, it fired the starting pistol on a revolution. Fast-forward four decades, and what was once a handful of innovators is now a 120-strong industry across the state.

Western Australia's 'paddock to pint' philosophy is backed up by premium barley and hops recognised the world over. To get your hands on a pint or two, these are the best breweries Perth has to offer, in all their frothy golden goodness.

The Northbridge Brewing Company (or NBC, as the locals know it) will likely be your first port of call. It’s an easy stroll from the CBD into the lively Northbridge district, where this three-level inner-city brewpub dominates the piazza.

The sheer scale of the place, it can hold up to 500 people, is designed to be a good-time magnet. But the true draw is the SkyDeck, a spectacular rooftop bar that delivers a stunning panorama of the Perth skyline.

NBC are known as a brew pub, not a craft bar, which means they maintain a clear, drinkable core range (often marketed under the Beerland banner) that appeals to everyone, while still rolling out innovative seasonal releases. Ask about their beer tasting experiences or see if you can get a spot on the popular cooking-with-beer class.

What to order: Start with their staple Beerland Pale Ale for a reliably balanced brew, or if you’re chasing a skyline buzz, ask the bartender for their current seasonal IPA. They’re often experimental, punchy, and showcase exactly what the on-site 150,000-litre capacity brewery is capable of. 

Address: 44 Lake Street, Northbridge WA 6003

To truly appreciate craft beer Perth style, you need to head 30 minutes south-west to Fremantle, the spiritual home of the WA scene. This is where you’ll find Gage Roads, whose name is taken from the stretch of water that separates Fremantle from Rottnest Island.

This is no quaint taproom, but a cathedral of beer. Gage Roads is immense, with a 1500-capacity in a beautifully restored, heritage-listed cargo shed on the Walyalup Waterfront. Founded by two brothers in a former margarine factory, they achieved huge success and then, crucially, bought back the large corporate shareholding to return to being an independent, employee-owned operation. 

What to order: Try the classic Single Fin Summer Ale. It’s everywhere in Perth, but drinking it here, with the Indian Ocean breeze coming off the Gage Roads, is the definitive experience. It’s aromatic, light, and perfectly suited to the climate. If you want something with more clout, their New World Pale Ale, Little Dove, won the Champion Australian Beer trophy in 2016.

Address: A Shed, 1 Cliff Street, Fremantle WA 6160

Matilda Bay is a legendary landmark, the ground zero for the entire Australian craft beer movement. While the brand itself was re-established in Victoria’s Yarra Valley, its original spirit is pure Fremantle, and the namesake restaurant still occupies a beautiful slice of Perth real estate. An elegant waterfront restaurant on the Swan River, with breathtaking panoramic views of the city and Kings Park, it's now a place for fine dining.

To taste the spirit of the original Matilda Bay - the beer that introduced Australians to unfiltered, full-flavoured brews you’ll have to seek out their current core range on tap or in bottle-shops around Perth. But visiting the restaurant location on Hackett Drive is still an important callback. 

What to order: Today's Red Back Wheat Beer is a slightly modified, easier-drinking version of the brew that helped kickstart the movement over 30 years ago. 

Address: 3 Hackett Drive, Crawley WA 6009 

Located on the city fringe in Burswood, just across the river and conveniently close to Optus Stadium, the multi-award-winning Blasta Brewing is where Perth’s craft scene gets truly ambitious. The name 'Blasta' is Scottish Gaelic for 'delicious', and the founder's heritage is visible in the décor and the commitment to quality, traditional brewing.

The brewing gear is showcased proudly behind the bar, with shiny stainless steel tanks. Blasta are known for pushing the boundaries, especially in the sour and IPA categories. Their Raspberry Rampant Sour is a cult classic for being a beer that tastes like a proper dessert without being cloying.

What to order: Beyond the sour, ask for their flagship Unleash The Beast NEIPA (New England IPA). It’s hazy, juicy, and a testament to their modern brewing prowess. For food, forget the standard pub fare. The menu is focused on seasonal, local produce, often integrating their own beer into marinades and sauces.

Address: 84/88 Goodwood Parade, Burswood WA 6100

For those who prefer their craft beer Perth experience with a side of music and art, then this one is for you. Once known as Nowhereman, the revamped Otherside of Nowhere is the local expression of a brewery born from the music festival scene.

Housed in a converted warehouse with concrete floors, exposed duct-work, and walls covered in rotating art installations from local WA artists, the vibe is laid-back, community-focused, and unpretentious. The team behind Otherside originally built a successful career in the music industry so they know good culture, and contribute a percentage of all beer sales back into their "Tapped by Otherside" fund to support WA creatives.

What to Order: Locals rave about the Boilermakers: small, perfectly paired beer and spirit combos that elevate the tasting experience. On the beer front, look for the Rhapsody XPA (Tropical XPA). It’s the beloved, award-winning core range beer they acquired during their merger, and it remains a tropical, sessionable, and utterly delicious staple. 

Address: 25 Harrogate Street, West Leederville WA 6007

Tucked away in the light industrial pockets of East Perth, just a short hop from the city centre, Bright Tank is the kind of brewery that quietly gets on with the business of making excellent beer and even better food. Huge, shimmering stainless steel fermentation vessels dominate the room, giving you a full, unvarnished view into the brewing process. It's an industrial yet inviting space centered around long, communal tables. 

The kitchen here is powered by the Brown Street Grill, famous for its wood-fired oven and grill. They use flame and smoke to create sophisticated, share-style snacks and small plates. 

What to order: Ask for a beer that showcases their brewing tanks’ hard work. Try the East Perth Lager, a crisp, clean antidote to a hot day. To sample the true range of their expertise, however, order a tasting paddle alongside something wood-fired from the grill—the Pork Belly Bites with burnt apple puree are a non-negotiable. 

Address: 100 Brown Street, East Perth WA 6004

No successful beer tour is complete without a solid base camp. Mercure Perth offers a central location that is both easily accessible and perfectly situated to launch your brewing adventures. Being in the CBD means you can walk directly to inner-city gems like Northbridge Brewing Company and catch easy transport to the Fremantle and Burswood locations, eliminating the need to drive - a huge advantage when sampling high-quality craft beer. 

If you only have time for two, you should balance the classic and the modern. Gage Roads Fremantle is a must-visit for the sheer scale, the spectacular waterfront view inside the historic A Shed, and for tasting the iconic Single Fin where it belongs. Secondly, visit a CBD-accessible brewpub like Northbridge Brewing Company Perth to get a true taste of inner-city WA brewing with a stunning rooftop view of the skyline. 

Yes, many do. Most of the larger venues and independent brewpubs offer structured tasting paddles as standard. Northbridge Brewing Company is known for running specific beer-centric events, including tastings and cooking classes. For a true "behind the curtain" tour experience, it's best to check the websites of Gage Roads and Blasta Brewing directly for scheduled tour days, as these tend to run less frequently than in wine regions but offer deep insight into large-scale production.

For a casual drop-in to sample a tasting paddle at a CBD location like Otherside or NBC, allocate 1.5 to 2 hours. This is enough time for a flight of five beers and a quick snack. For a full destination experience at Gage Roads Fremantle or Blasta Brewing Burswood where you’ll be ordering a full meal and soaking up the atmosphere, plan for a comfortable 2.5 to 3 hours. If you book a formal tour or class, allocate the full-time slot specified by the brewery, usually 1.5 hours just for the guided portion.