Ready to tap into the Coffs Coast’s craft culture? The Brewery & Distillery Trail is your ticket to an adventure full of flavour and fun.
Journey from the buzzing laneways of Coffs Harbour’s City Centre to the laid-back vibes of Woolgoolga, sipping and savouring your way through four standout venues. Raise a glass at King Tide Brewing, Critters Distillery, Woolgoolga Brewing Co, and Mogul Beer – each destination serving a unique blend of community spirit, innovative brews, and an authentic taste of the Coffs Coast.
All laneways lead to King Tide Brewing Coffs Harbour
Our trail starts at King Tide Brewing, an independent microbrewery in Coffs Harbour’s Studio Lane. This community-focused gem is more than just a place to enjoy a cold one—it’s a vibrant social hub to share stories, laughter, and, of course, a love of exceptional beer.
Drawing on European brewing traditions, founders Lucyna and Josh King have crafted a diverse beer range with clever branding that celebrates local culture. Whether you’re a fan of a crisp lager, hazy IPA, tasty pale ale, or prefer a smooth, malty stout, this brewpub caters to every palate. Grab a King Tide tasting paddle to sample a custom selection of different drops designed to wet your whistle if you want to mix it up.
Best served with beer: King Tide Brewery menu and trivia nights
King Tide’s all-weather beer garden, with its raised garden beds and kids’ play area, is the perfect spot to unwind and soak up the community spirit. You can even bring your furry friend! And if you’re hungry, the family-friendly kitchen boasts a menu of shared plates and a refreshing spin on all your favourite pub classics. Don’t miss out on King Tide’s regular events, which range from trivia nights, salsa and yoga classes to craft beer masterclasses and brewery tours—there’s always something happening at King Tide.
King Tide Brewing opening hours and location
Open Tuesday to Sunday, King Tide Brewing is at 1 Studio Ln, Coffs Harbour. Check their website for current opening hours, merch, upcoming events, and seasonal menus.
Beach vibes and high fives at Woolgoolga Brewing Co.
A short drive north, you will find a brewery that embodies the laid-back, beach-inspired culture that the Coffs Coast is known for. With its open taproom and sprawling beer garden, Woolgoolga Brewing Co. is the ideal spot to relax after exploring Coffs Coast’s hinterland and beaches.
Looking for a flagship beer to compliment your next mountain biking adventure? Inspired by the crew and tracks at Wedding Bells State Forest, Wedding Bells Pale Ale offers a soft bitterness with a bright, modern twist. Malted rolled oats and bold hops deliver tropical fruit, peach, grapefruit, and citrus notes. The Mr Miyagi Dry Larger is a must if you love a clean and crisp drop. And who doesn’t love an IPA? Malty, toasty, and caramel are noted, and the Road Trip’n IPA respects the style’s long history and will inspire your East Coast adventure. Whether sampling their flagship beers or trying one of their seasonal brews, you’ll taste the passion and creativity that goes into every pint. Woolgoolga Brewing Co. is a great place to enjoy live music and fun events and is even a popular venue for people hosting functions. Happy hour at Friday Sundowners and the Sunday session are great ways to get the party started and save a couple of bucks. The Taproom menu serves up some of the best Wood-Fired Pizzas on the Coffs Coast, and the small and larger share plates are popular when it’s time to gather with a group of friends
Woolgoolga Brewing Co. is the original champion of Coffs Coast craft culture
Being Coffs Coast’s first brewery, Woolgoolga Brewing Co. has always been committed to local craft culture, evident in every aspect of its operation. From the use of locally sourced ingredients to the friendly, welcoming vibe, Woolgoolga Brewing Co. truly reflects the diverse community it serves. Families, fur babies, friends, and solo adventurers will find a place where the beer is cold, the conversation is lively, and the atmosphere is always inviting.
Woolgoolga Brewing Co. opening hours and location
Woolgoolga Brewing Co. is located at 7 Willis Rd, Woolgoolga, and is open Thursday through Sunday. Check out their website for the latest opening times, membership information, and live music lineup
Mogul Beer for small-batch brews with big personality
There’s no need to get an Uber, as just around the corner is Mogul Beer Brewery—a hidden gem tucked away in a garage-style venue that exudes warmth and creativity. Founder Dave has built Mogul Beer, which focuses on small-batch, experimental brews that push the boundaries of traditional beer making. Each batch is carefully and lovingly crafted, resulting in unique flavours that are sure to surprise and delight.
Mogul Beer mastering the art of craft beer
At Mogul Beer, the brews are a true testament to the art of craft beer. From the smooth, caramel-berry notes of the Velvet Hammer IPA to the fruity, full-bodied Empire Hazy Pale, there’s a flavour to satisfy every palate. The Hammered Auctioneer Pale Ale, with its balanced American style, kick-started the Mogul journey. It also comes in a seasonal, dry-hopped IPA version, affectionately known as The Sledgehammer. For something a bit different, the Black Magic Black IPA offers a rich blend of dark chocolate and roasted coffee notes, while the Rouge de Blush Sour delivers a tart, raspberry-infused kick. You can’t go past one of Dave’s tasting paddles to explore the latest and greatest small-batch beers Mogul offers. If you’re feeling a little hungry, Mogul has partnered with local food truck ‘A Taste of Aloha’, which serves up Hawaiian-inspired brewery burgers, wraps and tacos.
Hanging with Dave, the brewing genius at Mogul Beer Woolgoolga
Mogul Beer’s intimate atmosphere makes it feel like you’re stepping into a friend’s garage—if that friend was a brewing genius. Regarding craft beer, founder and master brewer Dave knows his stuff. A true creative, he’s always experimenting with new recipes and creating new flavours, many of which are inspired by his travels. Whether you’re chatting with Dave about his latest creation or enjoying a pint in the cosy space, Mogul Beer offers a unique experience you won’t find anywhere else on the Coffs Coast.
Mogul beer opening hours and location
Mogul Beer is open Thursday through Sunday at 20C Featherstone Dr, Woolgoolga. Check its website for all the details, including opening hours and the latest food menu.
Critters Distillery Woolgoolga celebrates
paddock to glass
After all that craft beer, we’re transitioning to craft spirits, with our final stop being the world-class Critters Distillery. Located a stone’s throw from Woolgoolga Brewing Co. and Mogul Beer, Critters stands out with its ‘paddock to glass’ approach and award-winning selection. Here, every drop supports sustainable farming practices; spent grains are repurposed as animal feed, and other byproducts are used for land irrigation and cleaning, reflecting their commitment to minimising waste and protecting the local environment.
The artisans making spirits here are masters of their craft. They manage their own ferments onsite so they can keep their yeast in the ideal conditions necessary to make the purest alcohol. Their 200-litre modular 8-plate column further refines the alcohol, producing a remarkably pure spirit. This unique and ‘slow-crafted’ process has produced some award-winning results.
Inspired by the mysterious Angler Fish, Critters’ Original Vodka is double-distilled and left unfiltered to preserve its unique character, offering a pure and richly flavoured experience that lovers of whisky will appreciate. And for those seeking a contemporary twist on the classic dry gin, the Critters Distillery Original Gin is a super smooth, floral gin crafted entirely in-house from small-batch single-origin ingredients and infused with locally sourced botanicals.
Critters Distillery tours, masterclasses and tastings
The passionate team at Critters also offers a range of immersive tasting experiences to guide you through the art of distillation and connect you to the very roots of Australian distilling. Book one of their informative and enjoyable cocktail masterclass experiences. Learn how to craft the perfect cocktail using their spirits, and impress your friends with your newfound skills.
Critters Distillery opening hours and location
Open Wedesday through Sunday, Critters Distillery is located at 3/24a Hawke Drive, Woolgoolga. Visit its website for more information about distillery tours, opening hours, and where to find its award-winning spirits.
Navigate the trail and embrace the craft culture with the Coffs Coast Explorer App
Download the Coffs Coast Explorer App to make the most of your Brewery & Distillery Trail adventure. Whether you’re planning the route, looking for nearby things to do, or checking out the latest events along the trail, the Coffs Coast Explorer App is the perfect companion for exploring the Coffs Coast’s vibrant craft scene.
