South West Life

There’s no question we’ve got a lifestyle happening here in the South West.

I guess the standard picture is about summertime, the beach, afternoons at the winery, all those good things. The other day was father’s day though, and yes, I had a phat time.

At the risk of sounding un Australian, I’m not really a beer drinker. As it happens, there are one or two among my acquaintances though, and so there are times when a trip to a brewery is in order, and I’ve decided it’s another of the great moments that can be had around these parts.

The brewery has come into play as one of the genuinely nice venues for a pleasant afternoon. In so many cases, the scenery is great, and the ethic feels a little different, with a production facility, servings of food and beer, and always a different way of making the crowd feel welcome. All my favourite breweries have a family friendly atmosphere.

So what’s your favourite brewery? To get you started, I’ve put a few together of my own. I won’t claim these are the best, just that I’ve had a good time there. Your input is welcome, and we’ll publish some feedback before the weather heats up.

Bush Shack Brewery, Yallingup – If you like things relaxed and low key, this could be your spot. I visited in the heat, and found a bunch of German backpackers playing a bunch of Pommy backpackers at cricket. The conflict was epic, but ended without laying waste to most of Europe. The smell of gum trees and the chance to use the barbecue makes for a seriously Australian afternoon, and there’s plenty of space for the kids to wander, play, enjoy. I know it’s not really beer, but the ginger beer here is magnificent.

Colonial Brewery, Margaret River – I like the industrial feel of this, the place is clearly a shed, and the machinery of brewing is visible to give off the sense that you really get the local beer. Vintage vehicles in the carpark, and other links to the brewing past add to the atmosphere. The kids’ playground is secure and the scenery is great, it’s a little inland and the combination of farm and bush is really enjoyable. This brewery has recently changed hands, but the new owners promise that things will only get better.

Wild Bull, Ferguson Valley – Small and new, this is a place to sit and look over the valley and check out the vineyards. Just up the hill is a really great mountain bike track, and a cider and basket of wedges is a truly splendid way to finish off the day’s workout. Family owned is one of those labels that gets bandied around a bit, but I counted at least three generations at the operation in one afternoon, and the young blokes collecting glasses in the company uniform were happy, and added something to my sojourn.

Mash Brewery, Bunbury – Bang on the edge of the water, with food and of course the boutique beer available. As the closest brewery to our office it’s got a bit of a lead, too, and the marketing crew are working hard to understand what we want and how to give it to us. This is definitely my pick for an after work moment, and as summertime approaches tucker and a drink is always enhanced by the smell of salt water.

So there’s a few winners from how I see it, email us back with your picks and we’ll let everyone know.