Your Ultimate Guide to Buying Australian Beer in Perth

Discovering Perth’s Thriving Australian Beer Scene

G’day, fellow beer enthusiasts! If you’re in Perth, Western Australia, and have a hankering for some top-notch Australian brews, you’ve come to the right place. As a local who’s explored every nook and cranny of this sun-drenched city, I’m here to guide you through the vibrant world of Australian beer right here in Perth. From iconic lagers to innovative craft creations, the options are as diverse and exciting as our coastline.

Why Australian Beer in Perth?

Perth, with its relaxed lifestyle and abundance of sunshine, is the perfect backdrop for enjoying a cold one. We have a proud brewing heritage, and the craft beer movement has truly exploded here in recent years. When we talk about Australian beer, we’re talking about brews that reflect our unique terroir, our love for the outdoors, and our innovative spirit. Whether you’re after a classic stubby of a familiar favourite or looking to discover the next big thing from a local Perth brewery, there’s something for everyone.

Where to Buy Australian Beer in Perth: The Essential Spots

Navigating Perth’s beer landscape can be a delightful adventure. Here’s where you’ll find the best selection of Australian beers, from large-scale distributors to independent bottle shops:

Specialty Bottle Shops & Independent Retailers

For the true beer aficionado, these are your go-to destinations. They curate an impressive range of Australian beers, often focusing on craft and smaller breweries, and their staff are usually incredibly knowledgeable.

The Grumpy Sailor (South Fremantle): This gem in South Fremantle is a must-visit. They have an extensive and well-curated selection of Australian craft beers, with a particular love for Western Australian breweries. The staff are passionate and always ready with recommendations. You’ll find everything from crisp lagers to complex IPAs and rich stouts.
The Shorehouse Bottle Shop (Swanbourne): Located near the iconic Shorehouse restaurant, this bottle shop boasts a fantastic array of Australian brews, with a strong focus on quality and local producers. It’s a perfect spot to pick up beers to enjoy by the beach.
Old Bridge Cellars (North Fremantle): A long-standing favourite, Old Bridge Cellars offers a comprehensive selection of beers, including many sought-after Australian craft labels. They have a great range of styles and are known for their competitive pricing.
Cellarbrations Carlisle (Carlisle): While a chain, this particular Cellarbrations store has a reputation for stocking a surprisingly diverse and high-quality range of Australian craft beers. They often have limited releases and special offers.
Liquor Barons (Various Locations): Many independent Liquor Barons stores across Perth pride themselves on their craft beer selection. I’ve found great local Perth brews at stores in suburbs like Leederville and Subiaco. It’s always worth popping into your local Liquor Barons to see what they have.

Supermarkets & Mainstream Liquor Stores

For your everyday Australian beer needs, the major supermarkets and larger liquor store chains are your most convenient option. While their craft selection might be more limited, they offer the most popular and widely available Australian brands.

Coles & Woolworths Liquor: These supermarket liquor arms have a broad range of Australian beers, from the big names like Carlton Draught, VB, XXXX Gold, and Coopers, to some more widely distributed craft options. They are great for stocking up on essentials.
Dan Murphy’s: As Australia’s largest liquor retailer, Dan Murphy’s has an enormous selection. You’ll find an extensive range of Australian beers, including a decent craft section, often at very competitive prices. They are a reliable source for both mainstream and some of the more popular craft breweries.
BWS: Similar to Dan Murphy’s, BWS offers a good variety of Australian beers, with a focus on accessibility and convenience.

Direct from Perth Breweries

There’s no better way to experience Australian beer than by buying it directly from the source. Many Perth breweries have their own taprooms and bottle shops, offering the freshest brews and often exclusive releases.

Little Creatures Brewery (Fremantle): An iconic Perth brewery. While they are now a national brand, their original home in Fremantle is a must-visit. You can enjoy their Pale Ale and other favourites on tap and purchase bottles and cans to take home. The atmosphere here is fantastic, set in a converted boat-building shed.
Gage Roads Brew Co. Hospitality (Fremantle & Perth CBD): Gage Roads has a significant presence in Perth. Their brewery in Fremantle offers a great tasting experience, and their newer venue in the CBD is a fantastic spot to sample their range. They often have takeaway options available.
Otherside Brewing Co. (Myaree): Known for their approachable and flavourful beers, Otherside has a dedicated following. Visit their taproom in Myaree to sample their core range and seasonal specials, and purchase directly from their retail area.
Rocky Ridge Brewing Co. (Busselton – but widely available in Perth): While based down south in Busselton, Rocky Ridge has a strong distribution in Perth. You’ll find their innovative and high-quality beers in many bottle shops and on tap at various venues. They are a fantastic example of WA’s craft beer excellence.
Nowhereman Brewing Co. (West Leederville): A popular local brewery with a great taproom. They consistently produce excellent beers and offer takeaway sales. It’s a relaxed spot to try something new.

Exploring Perth’s Craft Beer Scene: Beyond the Bottle Shop

Buying beer is one thing, but experiencing it is another. Perth’s pub and bar scene is incredibly strong, with many venues dedicated to showcasing Australian craft beers, especially those from Western Australia.

Must-Visit Perth Pubs & Bars for Australian Beer Lovers

The Dutch Inn (Fremantle): A classic pub with a surprisingly good selection of Australian craft beers on tap and in the fridge. It’s a no-fuss place to enjoy a quality pint.
The National Hotel (Fremantle): Another Fremantle institution, known for its great atmosphere and a solid rotating tap list featuring local and Australian brews.
The Leederville Hotel (Leederville): This iconic pub always has a fantastic range of craft beers on tap, with a strong emphasis on local WA breweries. They often host brewery showcases.
The Flour Factory (Perth CBD): Located in the heart of the city, this venue is known for its gin selection, but it also boasts an impressive and carefully curated list of Australian craft beers on tap.
El Publico (Highgate): While primarily a Mexican restaurant, El Publico has an excellent and often surprising selection of Australian craft beers that pair wonderfully with their food.

What Australian Beers to Look For in Perth

When you’re browsing the shelves or perusing tap lists, keep an eye out for these categories and specific examples that are popular and readily available in Perth:

Iconic Australian Lagers & Pale Ales

These are the beers that have defined Australian drinking culture for decades. While craft has taken over for many, these remain staples.

Carlton Draught: A classic full-flavoured lager, often referred to as ‘The Draught’.
Victoria Bitter (VB): An Australian icon. Known for its strength and bitterness.
XXXX Gold: A popular mid-strength lager from Queensland.
Coopers Pale Ale: Brewed using a secondary fermentation process, giving it a distinctive cloudy appearance and a slightly fruity flavour. Coopers is a beloved Australian brewery.
Tooheys New: A well-known Australian lager.

Western Australian Craft Beer Stars

WA is a powerhouse of craft brewing, and Perth is the perfect place to sample its best. You’ll find these widely distributed and highly recommended:

Little Creatures Pale Ale: A benchmark for Australian craft pale ales, known for its fruity hop aroma and balanced bitterness.
Gage Roads Single Fin Summer Ale: Light, crisp, and refreshing, perfect for the Perth climate.
Otherside Brewing Co. IPA: Their core range IPA is a great example of modern hop-forward brewing.
Nowhereman Brewing Co. XPA: Often a crowd-pleaser, balancing easy drinking with hop character.
Eagle Bay Brewing Co. Pale Ale: Another fantastic brewery from the South West of WA, their Pale Ale is consistently excellent.
Pirate Life Brewing (SA – but massive presence in WA): While not a WA brewery, Pirate Life has made a huge impact. Their Pale Ale and Hop Session IPA are ubiquitous and highly regarded.

Emerging & Independent Breweries to Discover

The beauty of Perth’s beer scene is the constant innovation. Look out for beers from:

Brendan’s Brews
Beerfarm (SA – widely available)
Feral Brewing Co. (WA – now owned by Lion, but their Hop Hog IPA is a legend)
Others: Keep an eye on the shelves at specialty shops for new releases from smaller, up-and-coming WA breweries. Many focus on limited runs and unique styles.

Insider Tips for Buying Beer in Perth

As a local, I’ve picked up a few tricks to make your Australian beer buying experience in Perth even better:

Visit on weekdays: Bottle shops are often less crowded during the week, giving you more time to chat with staff and explore the selection.
Ask for recommendations: Don’t be shy! The staff at specialty bottle shops are usually passionate about beer and love sharing their favourites.
Check out brewery taprooms: If you’re visiting a brewery, buy your beer directly from them. You’ll often find the freshest product and unique growler fills or limited-edition cans.
Embrace the WA brews: While you can find beers from all over Australia, make an effort to try as many Western Australian breweries as possible. We’re incredibly proud of our local talent.
Consider seasonal releases: Many Australian breweries release special beers for different seasons (e.g., lighter, crisper beers for summer; richer, darker beers for winter).
Keep up with the news: The craft beer scene moves fast! Follow your favourite Perth breweries and bottle shops on social media, and check out resources like dropt.beer for the latest news, reviews, and release information.

The Future of Australian Beer in Perth

Perth’s beer culture is dynamic and ever-evolving. We’re seeing a continued rise in innovative brewing, a growing appreciation for diverse beer styles, and a strong community supporting local producers. Whether you’re a seasoned beer connoisseur or just looking for a refreshing Australian lager to enjoy by the Swan River, Perth offers an abundance of choices. So, grab a stubby, a schooner, or a pint, and cheers to the incredible Australian beer you can find right here!

For more insights into the beer world, from reviews to industry news, be sure to explore dropt.beer. And if you’re looking to purchase a wide variety of beers online for delivery across Australia, check out the selection at dropt.beer/shop/.