Just thought I would update this thread with some of my recent findings, rather than creating a new one. At some point someone will be visiting the Gold Coast and hopefully find this. Also, any additions welcome.
+ Bottle Shop At Ferry Road Markets (Ferry Road Wine & Beer): 107 Ferry Road, Southport 4218
Some good boutique beers, and a few I had not seen previously. The owner was not there when I visited, and the person there at the time did not appear to be overly passionate about beer (but the cricket was on the telly). Be sure to look at the unrefridgerated shelf to the right for most of the unusual beers. There were a few I was going to purchase, but the date on one had a BBE from early 2012, and another did not have a date at all, so I passed altogether (not intended to be a critisism, just a little tired of purchasing out of date beer at full price). If I am in the area again, will definitely drop in for another visit.
[There is a kitchen shop next door across the carpark called the Wheel&Barrow that has a decent selection of Beer glasses including a modern double walled type that I have only seen on coffee glasses - worth a look if you like your beer glasses].
+ Vintage Cellars: 2721 Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach 4218
Small bottleshop, but usually has a shelf or two in the fridge of boutique beer. The staff I have met don't appear to have much interested in beer, but someone there must be ordering it in (and customers buying it...).
+ Pickled Pig - A Brew On Premise Brewery: 18 Industry Drive, Tweed Heads 2486
They also have a licence to sell beer without having to make it yourself. While they do not brew from grain (use liquid extract to my knowledge), I have enjoyed a few of their beers which are generally aimed at being clones of commercial beers. The owner Paul is always happy to provide samples to taste.
+ Kingscliff Bottle Shop - This is the bottle shop at the main shopping centre. The different shop assistants I have spoken to all appear to have an interest in beer, and they do stock some craft beers that you wont find elsewhere. Worth a visit if you a looking for something a little bit different, and the area is a nice one to visit.
+ German Club Carrara - I visited this venue during Octoberfest 2012 and found they had 3 or so beers on tap that I had not seen on tap before. I have been told it pays to check in advance what beers they have if you are making a special trip, as non Octoberfest times may not have the same beer range. The food was good, though I was hoping to try things like Bretzels (big pretzels), which they had, but they were brought in frozen & not made on the premises (were still enjoyable though). The club has been around for ages, and must have been out there all alone before development of the area occurred.
+ Burleigh Brewery - I quite enjoy their beers, and they have a little bar were you can try there permanent range, and a special release of two depending on when you visit. Pricing is quite attractive, and if you buy a glass, you get it filled for free which makes a cool souveneir. Despite the bar being quite small, they did have a live band playing next to the brewing equipment, and amazingly have turnouts of 200 - 300 hundred at times. Staff are friendly, and know almost everything about their range of beers. Ask them to remake Aunt Gertrudes Bickkie Beer (which I have heard was good).
+ First Choice Liquor (Tweed Heads). Much like Dan Murphys (there are probably a few DM's on the Gold Coast as well). If you don't have a large Woolies or Coles owned bottleshop nearby, is worth a look. They keep a few isles of beer, but I find it gets a little boring if you are a beer hunter looking for variety through changing stock. Otherwise, a very large selection to choose from, and sometimes you will find a few specials (though Coles are saying beer discounting is being tightened if you listen to their latest press releases). Staff usually will not know much about beer, though I am sure there are exceptions to this rule - just havent encountered any yet!
Well that is all I have got - I forgot to mention the brewery at Mount Tamborine (MT Brewery) which has a great atmosphere (as well as a cheesery, and a separate higher end restaurant in addition to the outdoor bistro. They have a beer sampler where you can try 6 200ml glasses of their beer. I beleive there is a new brewery that has opened (or is opening) in the area, and also there is a brewery that has closed down a few years ago (in case you google it and get disappointed when you arrive).
Of course you have the Stone & Wood Brewery & the Byron Bay Brewery (Buddha Bar) 50 minutes south of Tweed. Stone and Wood run a full brewery, Byron Bay brew through a Sydney contract, but perhaps do some small scale brewing for local visitors??? (as I know they have brewing equipment at the back of the restaurant).
There must be a few I have missed, so feel free to add. I have not included anything North of the Gold Coast, as this should have a separate thread.
Happy hunting!
