As the sun starts to bear down on our waterfront town and thirsts begin to thicken, craft beer and cider are a popular source for a satisfying quenching. Thankfully Geelong and The Bellarine is stacked with breweries and even a cidery.

From the humble family-owned establishments, and dedicated microbreweries, to the flagship fathers of the brew industry, Geelong boasts award-winning entries in the craft beer and cider world. Whether you’re into the crisp lager or you want to expand your flavour palette with an experimental sour, here you’ll find tap houses and breweries are flowing with options.

Read on for some of the best spots to grab a craft beer or cider this summer.

FarmDog Brewing

Covering weekend trading from Friday through Sunday, the family-operated FarmDog Brewing is a microbrewery located at McGlashan’s Estate cellar door.

Their flagship four craft beers range is likened to man’s best friend, offering playfulness with their pale ale through to fierceness with their trusty IPA. Their range of gin is an added bonus for the bold.

Blackman’s Brewery Geelong

The Blackman’s Brewery brand is no stranger to the Geelong and Surf Coast beer and cider community. Their newest Geelong location is an industrial bar with a vibrant atmosphere and 16 crisp beers on tap. Partnering with Il Capo Wood Fire Pizza Truck, this family-friendly brewery is open Thursday through Sunday. Keep an eye out for special events to enjoy with your loved ones.

Flying Brick Cider House

Quenching thirst seven days a week, Flying Brick Cider House is the staple cider of the region with one of the best locations on The Bellarine.

Situated directly across from the family affair of Adventure Park, the rolling hill of Flying Brick has a picturesque view overlooking the lake of the theme park, perfect for a warm summer’s day.

With retro-inspired venue with a restaurant on site offering a tasting paddle of ciders, exceptional food, Bellarine wines, and live music, their ciders are traditionally crafted from 100% fresh fruit and free from added sugars, colours or concentrates, setting them apart from mainstream alternatives.

Little Creatures Brewery

Little Creatures exploded in Geelong over the course of the last decade, bringing their self-proclaimed Willy Wonka-style beer factory to life through brewery tours, dining, functions, markets and festivals. While the flagship Little Creatures brew is a national name founded from their Fremantle barrels, the frosty Furphy proudly calls this brewery location home.

Mt Pleasant Rd Taproom

A teacher and a paramedic partnership, Mt Pleasant Rd Taproom was a passion project to create quality craft beers from local ingredients. Fast forward, the company has set up shop at the top of town with a 10-tap Taproom, with seven dedicated to the brand. From Friday through to Sunday, this is a solid spot to grab a cold one and a bite, especially when their food trucks are on site.