Dark Beer Tour of Australia

Dark Beer Tour of Australia Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Dark Beer Tour of Australia, Wine, Beer & Spirits Store, Unit 4/6 Woodman Street Port Hedland WA 6721, Port Hedland.

Kicking off a mission I’ve been talking about for years: travelling pub to pub, brewery to brewery across Australia in search of the best dark beers the country has to offer.

🍻 WHYALLA – SUNSHINE, SMOOTH SEAS & BACK ON THE WATER! 🚤☀️G’day legends!We rolled into Whyalla yesterday and it was blow...
22/10/2026

🍻 WHYALLA – SUNSHINE, SMOOTH SEAS & BACK ON THE WATER! 🚤☀️

G’day legends!

We rolled into Whyalla yesterday and it was blowing a gale! 🌬️ But with the forecast looking good for today, we had our fingers crossed.

Hit the water early this morning (well, early for Jono anyway 😂) and what an absolute cracker of a day! Great to finally get the boat off the trailer and out on the Spencer Gulf.

Finished off the day with a couple of cold b**rs at the Eyre Hotel, with a Coopers Stout for me. Can’t go wrong with a good dark b**r! 🍻

Tomorrow we’re back on the road, heading to Ceduna before tackling the mighty Nullarbor and continuing our journey west! 🚙🇦🇺

Another cracking stop on our east-to-west adventure!

If you see us around, don’t be a stranger, come and have a yarn!

🍻 Dark B**r Tour of Australia

**rTourOfAustralia

🍻 BROKEN HILL, B**RS, PRISCILLA & A LEAKY SWAG! ⛺🌧️G’day legends!Well, we rolled into Broken Hill yesterday afternoon ju...
20/10/2026

🍻 BROKEN HILL, B**RS, PRISCILLA & A LEAKY SWAG! ⛺🌧️

G’day legends!

Well, we rolled into Broken Hill yesterday afternoon just in time for happy hour at the Broken Hill Pub! 🍻

Unfortunately, no independent craft b**rs on tap or in the fridge, so a Pirate Life Stout it was!

From there, it was off to the iconic Palace Hotel for a bit of history, everything Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and an Espresso Martini! 🍸 What a cracking old pub!

Meanwhile, the weather wasn’t looking too flash, so Maz ducked back to camp and threw a tarp over the swag. Just as well, because the heavens opened up and it bucketed down for most of the night! 🌧️

Turns out swag life isn’t all that glamorous! 😂 The seams started leaking, and before long my pillow and a few blankets were a little damp.

Surprisingly, still managed a decent sleep, although after two days behind the wheel and sleeping in the swag, the old body is feeling a bit worse for wear!

Thank goodness the sun’s out this morning and everything is drying out! ☀️

All part of the adventure crossing this great country. A few b**rs, some history, plenty of laughs and the occasional soggy pillow! 😂

🍻 Dark B**r Tour of Australia

If you see us around, don’t be a stranger. Come and have a yarn!

**rTourOfAustralia **r

🍻 NYNGAN, THE BIG BOGAN & ON TO BROKEN HILL! 🚙🍺G’day legends!Well, yesterday was a big day behind the wheel, but we mana...
19/10/2026

🍻 NYNGAN, THE BIG BOGAN & ON TO BROKEN HILL! 🚙🍺

G’day legends!

Well, yesterday was a big day behind the wheel, but we managed to make it all the way to Nyngan.

We found ourselves a cracking little campsite right on the banks of the Bogan River. Not a bad spot to pull up stumps after a long day on the road. 🏕️

It was also our first night sleeping in the swag in the back of the boat, while Jono had the luxury of his rooftop tent! 😂 And surprisingly, it actually went alright. Maybe this swag life won’t be so bad after all.

Once we were settled in, it was time to wander into town, grab some dinner and, of course, enjoy an absolute must on the Dark B**r Tour of Australia, a coldie at the bar of a good old fashioned Aussie pub. 🍻

This time it was the Australian Hotel, where we pulled up a stool and soaked up a bit of country pub atmosphere.

After a feed and a couple of refreshments, we took a leisurely stroll back to camp, making sure to stop off and say g’day to the famous Big Bogan! 😂

You’ve got to love some of the quirky attractions you come across travelling this great country of ours.

Today we’ve got a much easier day on the road as we continue west towards Broken Hill.

A couple more country pub visits are definitely on the agenda, followed by a bit of culture for Maz and me with a visit to the Pro Hart Museum. 🎨

Who says the Dark B**r Tour of Australia isn’t educational. 😂🍺

Another day, another stretch of highway and a few more stories to add to the adventure.

As always, if you see us around, don’t be a stranger, come and have a yarn! 🍻

**rTourOfAustralia

🍺 BLACK DUCK BREWERY – EXPORT STOUT 🍺G’day legends! 🍻Another brewery stop on our travels, this time dropping into Black ...
19/10/2026

🍺 BLACK DUCK BREWERY – EXPORT STOUT 🍺

G’day legends! 🍻

Another brewery stop on our travels, this time dropping into Black Duck Brewery, which reopened its doors approximately three months ago, with an online store coming soon!

Always great to see an independent brewery back up and running, and even better when there’s a dark b**r waiting to be sampled!

One thing that really adds to the experience is the setting. There’s a distinct Prohibition-era theme about the place, with a soundtrack to match. It’s got that old-school speakeasy feel, creating a relaxed atmosphere where it’s very easy to settle in for a few b**rs and lose track of time!

🏭 Brewery: Black Duck Brewery
🍺 Style: Export Stout
📊 ABV: 7.2%

👀 Appearance:
Pours a beautiful deep mahogany colour.

👃 Aroma:
An interesting combination of spice and bready malt aromas.

🍫 Palate:
Roasted barley takes centre stage, accompanied by distinctive cacao and burnt coffee notes. Plenty of roasted malt character coming through in this one.

💧 Mouthfeel:
Medium-bodied, delivering a good balance of richness without being overly heavy.

🔥 Finish:
Finishes with a medium acrid, roasted bitterness that lingers on the palate. It’s noticeable without being offensive, and personally, I don’t mind a bit of that character in a good stout!

🍺 Would we order it again?
Absolutely! A solid, roast-forward Export Stout with plenty of character. The cacao, burnt coffee and lingering bitterness make this an interesting dark b**r worth exploring.

Between the b**r, the Prohibition-inspired atmosphere and the accompanying tunes, Black Duck Brewery is certainly an easy place to settle in and enjoy a few.

Great to see the brewery welcoming visitors again, and we’re looking forward to seeing their online store launch!

🍻 Cheers from the Dark B**r Tour of Australia!

**rTourOfAustralia **r **rAustralia **r **rReview

🍺 BUCKET BREWING CO. – CHARLIE BUCKET CHOCOLATE STOUT 🍫🍺G’day legends!Another brewery revisit for the Dark B**r Tour of ...
19/10/2026

🍺 BUCKET BREWING CO. – CHARLIE BUCKET CHOCOLATE STOUT 🍫🍺

G’day legends!

Another brewery revisit for the Dark B**r Tour of Australia, this time dropping back into Bucket Brewing Co. in Kempsey, NSW, to catch up with Sam and see what he’s been brewing up.

We always enjoy revisiting independent breweries, catching up with the brewers and seeing what new creations they’ve been working on.

This time, the b**r that caught my attention was the Charlie Bucket Chocolate Stout. And you know me, when there’s a new dark b**r on offer, I’m not going to walk past it! 🍻

🏭 Brewery: Bucket Brewing Co.
🍺 B**r: Charlie Bucket
🍫 Style: Chocolate Stout
📍 Location: Kempsey, NSW

👀 Appearance:
Pours almost jet black with a rich, dark tan head that looks inviting but dissipates fairly early into the drinking experience.

👃 Aroma:
Roasted malts lead the way, accompanied by inviting hints of chocolate.

🍫 Palate:
Beautiful dark roasted barley flavours up front, followed by a generous amount of chocolate. A well-balanced bitterness keeps the sweetness in check, while a mild vanilla character develops and lingers nicely in the background.

💧 Mouthfeel:
Smooth and sweet, making for a very enjoyable drinking experience.

🔥 Finish:
A lingering chocolate sweetness rounds things out, leaving those lovely roasted malt flavours in the background.

🍺 Would we order it again?
Absolutely! This is right in my wheelhouse. A chocolate stout that delivers plenty of roasted malt character, a generous helping of chocolate and just enough bitterness to keep everything nicely balanced. So I took a 6 pack with us, keep an eye out for it throughout or travels.

Another great reason to drop back into Bucket Brewing Co. and see what Sam has been creating.

If you’re travelling through the Macleay Valley, make sure you call in, support a local independent brewery and see what’s pouring.

Cheers legends, and keep chasing those dark b**rs! 🍻

**rTourOfAustralia **rLovers **rAustralia **rReview **r

🍻 GRAFTON BREWING CO. – PART 2: BRINGING HISTORY BACK TO LIFE! 🍻G’day legends!As promised, here’s Part 2 of our visit to...
18/10/2026

🍻 GRAFTON BREWING CO. – PART 2: BRINGING HISTORY BACK TO LIFE! 🍻

G’day legends!

As promised, here’s Part 2 of our visit to Grafton Brewing Co, and this time it’s not just about the b**r, it’s about the history, the passion and the people breathing life back into a piece of Grafton’s brewing heritage.

During our visit, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Rick and Jamie, chatting about the brewery’s fascinating past, its connection to Tooheys and the journey to bring brewing back to this historic location.

The brewery has a rich history dating back to the days when regional breweries were an important part of their communities, before the big brewing companies like Tooheys became such a dominant force in the industry.

Fast forward to 2020, when the Frith family set about bringing this piece of Grafton’s history back to life.

Of course, as we all know, 2020 wasn’t exactly the easiest year to kick off a new venture. Between COVID and a few other challenges along the way, it has been quite the journey. But their persistence has paid off, with the brewery now having been open for almost a year.

🍺 MORE THAN JUST A BREWERY

One thing that really stood out during our visit was Rick’s passion for preserving the history.

Listening to him talk about tracking down old brewery artefacts, memorabilia and pieces of the past was fantastic. You could genuinely see how much it means to him.

And then there’s Memory Lane, a wonderful collection of historic items and memorabilia that takes visitors on a trip back through time.

They’ve even incorporated a kids’ play centre, making this a fantastic destination for families, not just b**r enthusiasts.

For us, this is exactly what we love discovering on the Dark B**r Tour of Australia. Independent breweries that are about so much more than just pouring a good b**r. They’re preserving history, creating experiences and bringing people together.

👏 A massive thank you to Rick and Jamie for taking the time to share your story with us. Your passion and commitment to what you’re building is something special.

🚗 If you’re travelling past Grafton, do yourself a favour, divert off the highway and pay Grafton Brewing Co. a visit. Grab a b**r, explore Memory Lane and soak up a little local history. It’s well worth the detour.

And if you missed Part 1, head back and check out our review of their cracking Old Ale! 🍺

Support independent breweries. Support local history. Drink good b**r! 🍻

**rTourOfAustralia **rAustralia **r **rTourAustralia

🍻 🍻 A CRACKING DAY IN THE MACLEAY VALLEY! 🚤☀️G’day legends!What an absolute ripper of a day exploring the beautiful Macl...
17/10/2026

🍻 🍻 A CRACKING DAY IN THE MACLEAY VALLEY! 🚤☀️

G’day legends!

What an absolute ripper of a day exploring the beautiful Macleay Valley! 🇦🇺

We kicked things off with a quick visit to the iconic Akubra Hats factory in Kempsey, where Maz couldn’t resist picking herself up a brand new hat! 🤠 So keep an eye out for the latest addition to her Dark B**r Tour wardrobe. She’s going full country on me! 😂

Then it was time to drop the boat into the Macleay River and take the old fella for a cruise downstream, past the old Nestlé factory, and on towards The Heritage Hotel at Gladstone. 🚤🍺

There’s something pretty special about cruising down the river, soaking up the scenery and a bit of local history, before pulling up at a country pub for a couple of cold b**rs and a good yarn.

And just to top off an already cracking afternoon, we had a surprise visit from our cousin Leighton at the Heritage Hotel! Nothing better than an unexpected family catch up over a few frothies!

After a couple of b**rs and plenty of laughs, it was back up the river, boat out of the water and home in time to settle in and watch the rugby! 🏉

Not every day on the Dark B**r Tour of Australia has to be about chasing down the next stout or porter. Sometimes it’s about slowing down, spending time with family and enjoying the incredible places this country has to offer.

Good company, cold b**rs, family, a boat and a beautiful river. What more could you ask for? 🍻

Have you explored the Macleay Valley? It’s definitely a little slice of paradise worth checking out!

Cheers legends! 🍻

**rTourOfAustralia

🍺 GRAFTON BREWING CO. – OLD ALE 🍺G’day legends! 🍻Continuing our visit to Grafton Heritage Brewing Co, it’s time to get s...
16/10/2026

🍺 GRAFTON BREWING CO. – OLD ALE 🍺

G’day legends! 🍻

Continuing our visit to Grafton Heritage Brewing Co, it’s time to get stuck into one of their traditional dark b**rs – Old.

Now this is a style of b**r that I regularly chase down on our travels! A good old ale with plenty of malt character, a touch of sweetness and a balanced bitterness is right up my alley.

🏭 Brewery: Grafton Heritage Brewing Co.
📍 Location: Grafton, NSW
🍺 Style: Old Ale

👀 Appearance:
Pours a beautiful dark mahogany brown with a lovely golden head that holds its own throughout the entire drinking experience.

👃 Aroma:
Inviting malty aromas with a gentle hint of sweetness.

🍫 Palate:
Malt forward from the first sip, delivering lovely chocolate notes and a biscuity sweetness. A well balanced bitterness brings everything together without overpowering the rich malt character.

💧 Mouthfeel:
Smooth on the opening sip, transitioning into a crisp, dry finish that makes this b**r incredibly enjoyable.

🔥 Finish:
Clean, crisp and dry, with just enough lingering malt character and bitterness to have you reaching for another sip.

🍺 Would we order it again?
Absolutely! And I did take some home with me! This is very much the style of dark b**r I regularly seek out. Nothing overcomplicated, just a beautifully balanced, malt driven old ale that delivers exactly what I’m looking for.

There’s something special about breweries keeping these traditional Australian dark b**r styles alive, and Grafton has done a cracking job with this one!

🍻 What’s your favourite traditional Australian Old? Are you a fan of the classics, or do you prefer the bigger, bolder modern dark b**rs?

**rTourOfAustralia **r **rAustralia **rReview **r **r

🍻 GRAFTON HERITAGE BREWING CO. – MORE THAN JUST GREAT B**R! 🍻G’day legends! 🍺Yesterday Maz, Jono and I had the absolute ...
15/10/2026

🍻 GRAFTON HERITAGE BREWING CO. – MORE THAN JUST GREAT B**R! 🍻

G’day legends! 🍺

Yesterday Maz, Jono and I had the absolute pleasure of dropping into Grafton Heritage Brewing Co, where we met Rick and Jamie and spent some time talking all things b**r, brewing history and, surprisingly, even discovered a connection through our families logging history!

It’s these sorts of experiences that make the Dark B**r Tour of Australia so much more than just travelling around sampling great b**rs.

We love getting behind the scenes, meeting the people who make it all happen and hearing the stories that make these independent breweries so special.

And Grafton Brewing Co certainly has a story worth telling!

The original Grafton Brewery opened back in December 1952 and operated until 1997. Thankfully, the Firth family have brought this piece of local brewing history back to life, keeping the spirit of the original brewery alive.

We had such a great time chatting with Rick and Jamie that there’s simply too much to squeeze into one post!

So we’re going to make this a two part feature:

🍺 Part 1 – The B**r: We’ll be diving into their Brewhouse Old, a traditional dark malty ale inspired by the brewing traditions of the 1950s, along with our tasting notes and thoughts.

🏭 Part 2 – The History: The fascinating story behind Grafton Brewery, its heritage, the people involved and how this iconic piece of Grafton’s brewing history has been brought back to life.

A massive thanks to Rick and Jamie for taking the time to have a yarn with us. It’s people like you who make this journey so bloody enjoyable!

Stay tuned legends, there’s plenty more to come from Grafton Heritage Brewing Co.

And remember, when you’re travelling through these regional towns, take the time to call into the local breweries. This one is worth diverting off the highway to visit. You never know what great b**rs, interesting characters or unexpected connections you’ll discover!

Have any of you got memories of the original Grafton Brewery? We’d love to hear your stories! 🍻

**rTourOfAustralia **rAustralia **r **rWithHistory

🍻 THAT’S A WRAP ON BRISBANE — TIME TO HIT THE ROAD AGAIN! 🍻 G’day legends!Well, that’s a wrap on our Brisbane visit! 🍻We...
15/10/2026

🍻 THAT’S A WRAP ON BRISBANE — TIME TO HIT THE ROAD AGAIN! 🍻

G’day legends!

Well, that’s a wrap on our Brisbane visit! 🍻

We didn’t quite manage to squeeze in as many breweries as I’d hoped, but we certainly made up for it with plenty of family and friend catch ups, a few good b**rs and loads of laughs!

But the wheels are turning again, and the Dark B**r Tour of Australia is back on the road!

🍺 FIRST STOP — GRAFTON BREWING CO.

We’re calling in to sample their Bostock Stout and Czech Dark L***r. Two dark b**rs I’m pretty keen to get stuck into, so stay tuned for our thoughts!

🏉 NEXT STOP — SAFETY BEACH!

We’re heading down to catch up with our good mates Kel and Collette for a bit of Rugby League World Cup footy!

Now, Kel being a Kiwi, he’s made it VERY clear that if Australia wins, Maz and I will be sleeping outside in the swag! 🇦🇺🇳🇿😂

So, with that in mind, I reckon tonight might just be our first night in the swag! 🤣

🍻 THEN IT’S ON TO KEMPSEY!

From there we’re heading to the old man’s place in Kempsey for another family catch up before dropping into Bucket Brewery tomorrow afternoon to see what Sam’s been brewing up!

I’ve already spotted a few interesting releases, so I’m looking forward to seeing what’s pouring! 🍺

After that, the big journey west begins again as we make our way back across this awesome country towards Port Hedland!

There’s plenty of road ahead, a few brewery stops to discover and no doubt a story or two along the way.

🍻 AND AS ALWAYS…

If you see the D Max and boat rolling through your town, or spot us propping up the bar at a local brewery, don’t be a stranger!

Come say g’day, grab a b**r and have a yarn! That’s what this adventure is all about, good b**r, great people and exploring this bloody awesome country of ours! 🇦🇺

Cheers legends! 🍻

Eric, Maz and now Jono
Dark B**r Tour of Australia

**rTourOfAustralia **rAustralia **rLovers ***r

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Unit 4/6 Woodman Street Port Hedland WA 6721
Port Hedland, WA
6721

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