Sip & Savour: A Guide to the Blue Mountains Craft Beverage Scene
The Blue Mountains aren’t just about dramatic escarpments and eucalyptus-filled valleys - they’re also home to a thriving craft beverage scene. From small-batch breweries to boutique distilleries and cool-climate wineries, the Blue Mountains Craft Beverage Trail is the perfect way to sip your way through the region while soaking up its relaxed, creative vibe.
Mountain Culture Beer Co.
⦿ Katoomba
Located in a beautifully repurposed 1912 heritage building in Katoomba, Mountain Culture Beer Co. has rapidly ascended to become the crown jewel of the Australian craft beer scene.
They are famous for their flagship Status Quo Pale Ale, consistently voted the #1 beer in the country. Whether you’re grabbing a burger on the sun-drenched deck or sampling a limited-release sour, the vibe is quintessential Blue Mountains: relaxed, high-quality, and community-focused.
Image | Mountain Culture Beer Co.
Dryridge Estate
⦿ Megalong Valley
Perched on the edge of the spectacular Megalong Valley, Dryridge Estate is a boutique vineyard that boasts some of the best views of the Blue Mountains. Established in 2000 on deep granite soils - rare for the region - this estate specialises in cool-climate wines, including crisp Rieslings, elegant Pinot Noirs, and a deeply flavourful Shiraz.
Visitors can settle into the clear-walled marquee or grab a spot on the grass to enjoy a guided tasting while staring directly at the towering sandstone cliffs of the Narrow Neck Plateau. Enjoy a cheese plate or ploughman’s lunch while you relax and take in the beautiful scenery. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon in the Blue Mountains.
Image | Dryridge Estate
Blue Mountains Gin Company
⦿ Katoomba
Blue Mountains Gin Company is a boutique distillery that captures the rugged essence of the world heritage wilderness in every bottle. With their small-batch precision, they have become a staple of the region’s burgeoning craft beverage scene with a range of artisan gins and vodkas.
Their cellar door is also home to The Factory Bar, a cosy venue, offers a variety of experiences including gin tasting, distillery tours, craft cocktails and bar snacks. They also feature live music on the weekend, focussing on local jazz and folk acts.
Image | Blue Mountains Gin Company
Hillbilly Cider
⦿ Bilpin
Located on the historic Bells Line of Road in Bilpin, Hillbilly Cider is a celebration of apples with altitude. This award-winning cidery is famous for its ‘hillbillification’ philosophy - keeping things real with 100% crushed fruit, no added sugar, and minimal intervention.
The rustic Cider Shed is the heart of the operation, where you can sample their full range, enjoy a cider by the log fire in winter or lounging on the grass in summer, or pair perfectly with an authentic wood-fired pizzas. It’s a quintessential mountain pitstop that captures the bohemian, slow-lane spirit of Bilpin.
Image | Hillbilly Cider
Brew Mountains Brewery
⦿ Valley Heights
Located in Valley Heights, Brew Mountains Brewery is a bit of a hidden gem of the local craft scene, but a popular spot for those in the know. Originally a nanobrewery run out of a garage, it has evolved into a vibrant locals hang-out tucked away in an industrial pocket. The taproom is famously cozy and rustic, featuring a 4-meter bar hand-crafted from a storm-fallen stringy bark tree.
The brewery is known for its ‘Why not?’ approach to brewing, offering everything from crisp lagers to imperial stouts and unique seasonal releases.
Image | Brew Mountains Brewery
Megalong Creek Estate
⦿ Megalong Valley
Megalong Creek Estate is a boutique vineyard nestled in the breathtaking Megalong Valley. Established in 2002, this family-owned estate is unique for its rustic, barn style cellar door - the perfect spot to sip wine while overlooking the towering sandstone escarpments.
The estate specialises in single-vineyard, cool-climate wines, with their Prosecco and Viognier being local favourites. They also grow Pinot Grigio, Pinot, Grenache and Shiraz. The estate is popular for its relaxed, social atmosphere; visitors can enjoy a grazing plate on the grass while watching the resident alpacas roam the paddocks.
Image | Megalong Creek Estate
BM Coffee Roasters
⦿ Valley Heights
BM Coffee Roasters is a small, family business that's all about crafting boutique, specialty coffee. With a 29-year history, they’ve built a reputation for producing fresh, premium coffee blends, and unique single-origin coffees that pack a flavour punch. Locals can be seen each Saturday morning, lining up at their factory store to collect a bag of their favourite beans, plus a fresh brew in hand to-go.
Their beans are used by many cafes throughout the Blue Mountains, and you can enjoy their coffee home with beans available straight from the roaster.
Image | BM Coffee Roasters
