Cascade Brewery

Cascade Brewery in Hobart is Australia’s oldest continually operating brewery. Its location at the foot of Mount Wellington offers a striking backdrop to this well-known landmark, making it one of the most scenic spots for a brewery tour. Visitors can enjoy tours, tastings and the surrounding gardens, exploring the brewery’s long-standing traditions and the production processes that have kept it operating since the early 1800s.

The brewery’s distinct Gothic-style building, with its sandstone facade and ivy-covered walls, is now a significant architectural landmark in Hobart. This aesthetic and its heritage value make Cascade a favoured attraction for locals and visitors alike. Tours at Cascade provide a glimpse into its storied past, connecting Tasmania’s natural assets to the long-standing art of brewing.

What to see at Cascade Brewery

A visit to Cascade Brewery can include a variety of experiences, from guided tours to leisurely strolls in the surrounding gardens and a drink or two in the brewery bar; however, the two main options are either the brewery tour or the historic tour.

The brewery tour

Most visitors opt for the guided brewery tour, which explains the history of the building and the brewing process from start to finish. Beginning with a walk through the original brew house, you can see Cascade’s vintage equipment and learn about ingredients such as hops, barley and fresh mountain water used in the beers. Knowledgeable guides explain each step of the brewing process, adding context with stories of the brewery’s history.

Tours conclude with a tasting paddle of four different Cascade beers that you can enjoy in the Cascade Brewery Bar and most people stay on for a few more beers.

The historic tour

The historic tour is an option if you have more of an interest in history rather than beer. This one-hour-long tour provides an insight into the brewery’s history without touching on the details of the brewing process.

It is important to note that this tour does not enter the brewery and it does not include any tastings.

The gardens

The brewery’s heritage gardens, adjacent to the main building, offer a peaceful setting for a leisurely walk. These gardens contain an assortment of plants, including hops and barley, linking to Cascade’s brewing practices. Benches and picnic areas allow guests to relax and enjoy the scenic views of Mount Wellington, making it a suitable spot for unwinding after a tour. Throughout the year, the gardens host seasonal events and displays, providing additional interest for repeat visitors.

Visiting Cascade Brewery

Cascade Brewery is in South Hobart, around a 10-minute drive from Hobart’s city centre. Local bus route 446 runs here from the city centre and you can also walk here from the city in around an hour. Nearby points of interest include the Cascades Female Factory, which is just a 10-minute walk from the brewery.

Brewery tours and historic tours run daily and it’s a good idea to book your tickets in advance, particularly if you’re visiting during a busy period.

Brewery tours are restricted to visitors aged 18 and over and you must wear flat closed-toed shoes for safety (no thongs, sandals or high heels). It is also a requirement that visitors taking the brewery tour do so while sober, although the tour finishes off at the Cascade Brewery Bar where you have a paddle of beer to taste, and the option to buy more, so there’s a good chance that you won’t be sober when you leave.

In contrast to the brewery tours, historic tours are open to all ages.

Both tours include steps, which mean that they’re not wheelchair accessible and, as the brewery tour includes food preparation areas, guide dogs are not allowed due to food safety regulations. However, guide dogs are welcome on the historic tour.

The Cascade Brewery Bar is a good spot to grab something to eat or drink at the end of your tour.

Visitor facilities also include a gift shop.

Both tours run for an hour, although you should allow at least 1½ hours if you’re taking the brewery tour to give yourself some time to enjoy your complimentary tasting paddle.

140 Cascade Road, South Hobart TAS 7004
Website www.cascadebreweryco.com.au
Brewery tour $38–40
Historic tour $23, children (under 12) $12
Open 10am–5pm daily