Day Trip for Newcastle’s Beer Lovers: Murray’s Brewery, Port Stephens

by Nick Turner on July 2, 2011

If you’re keen to get out of town and looking for something to do on a nice wintery afternoon, hop in the car and head up to Murray’s Brewery at Port Stephens. Situated on Nelson Bay Road at the Port Stephens Winery, Murray’s Brewery is a must see for anyone who doesn’t mind the odd ale or two.

The brewery was originally established on the North Coast of New South Wales at Taylors Arm, before moving to its current site at Port Stephens a few years ago. Murray’s are world renowned for their hand crafted, unconventional beers that are full of flavour and big on aroma. Whether it be their seasonal varieties or their more established products, Murray’s have a beer for just about anybody.

Weekends at Murray’s are hugely popular with tours of the brewery available at 2pm each day. On the tour you will get to check out the hop garden, wander through the Winery’s vines before the best part, the beer tasting at the conclusion.

As far as the beer goes, if the names are anything to go by you’re certainly in for a treat. The sedately named Murray’s Pilsner is crisp and refreshing, while the Port Stephens-inspired Whale Ale is light and fruity in flavour. Other favourites include the malty flavoured Retro Rocket Ale, Murray’s Punk Monk, their Sassy Belgian Blond and the Pumpkin Ale. By my count, which may well have been slightly impeded towards the end of the day, the brewery has 25 beautiful beers to choose from. And even if beer isn’t your thing, the brewery serves a number of the Port Stephens Winery’s tipples by the bottle and glass.

Make a day of it and stay for lunch at their popular restaurant, perched up on a beautiful verandah with views over the vineyard below. Live music is on offer if you’re there on the weekend and the restaurant gives you the option of choosing one of Murray’s boutique beers to compliment each menu selection.

The relaxed atmosphere and excellent variety of beer and wine available will make Murray’s a favourite with any Novocastrian. The only negative, nominating someone to be your designated driver.