Australia is scattered with dozens of fantastic breweries and microbreweries - it’s a difficult task to single out a forerunner. Western Australia alone is home to numerous impressive breweries, sprinkled across the State from the far north to far south.

Froth Craft

Located along the Ningaloo coastline in the town of Exmouth is a hidden gem in the form of a microbrewery named Froth Craft Brewery. Owned by Pete Firth, Tyler Little and Phil Gray, Froth Craft Brewery prides itself in being a family-friendly restaurant with some of the best customer service around, all whilst providing a collection of impressive and carefully crafted beers. It’s for this reason that Froth Craft Brewery last year took out the award for Best Start-Up Business at the Western Australian Regional Business awards.

Froth Craft Brewery began after a notable gap was identified, with great prices being paid in Exmouth for craft beers from around Australia. With the production of beers from Froth Craft Brewery, owners Tyler Little, Pete Firth and Phil Gray are changing the game.

Easily identifiable by its quirky label artwork (by Sadie James), Froth’s newest addition to the shelf, Little Phete Amber Ale, is a drop that is gaining momentum. Little Phete is a witty combination of the three owners’ names, and is a homage to malt, malt and more malt. This refreshing, full bodied mid-strength beer is classed as an American Red Ale, and sees Froth Craft Brewery using a variety of specialty grains that really bring to life the magnificence of malt. This ale has been met by a fantastic response, with the design of the can alone positioning Little Phete as a fantastic Exmouth souvenir. A 375ml can of Little Phete will only set you back $4.50, with a six-pack coming in at $24. Not only does this serve as a very affordable take-home beverage for visitors, but also for Coral Coast locals seeking craft beer at an affordable price.

Now that Froth Craft Brewery has firmly established themselves in Exmouth, the trio are looking to spread their wings (and their tasty beverages) further afield. They have begun canning three of their regular beers in addition to the new Little Phete; Koa Kölsh, Nor’Esther Pale Ale, and the You’re Driving I.P.A. It’s hoped that these cans will make their way statewide within the year, with the long-term goal of opening a commercial brewery near to Perth (but that’s much further down the track!). 

Illegal Tender Rum Co

Also in the Coral Coast Region, Illegal Tender Rum Co. are making waves with their production of award winning rums. Located just out of Dongara, Illegal Tender Rum Co. was founded by Codie Palmer, with the ultimate goal of producing the finest all Australian small batch rum. An alliance was struck between Illegal Tender Rum Co. and Froth Craft Brewery, whereby Froth Craft Brewery use Illegal Tender Rum Co.’s old barrels in their brewing process. Considering the quality of the alcohol produced by each of these businesses, you can’t help but be blown away by the level of expertise in the Coral Coast region.

Last year, Illegal Tender Rum Co bought home gold from the Chinese Wine and Spirit Value Awards, as well as bronze from the World Rum Awards. Not bad at all!  Illegal Tender is only a young enterprise, with its team receiving worldwide recognition and acclaim in a short time. All spirits are distilled twice at their purpose built distillery in Dongara, where they produce their popular Spiced and 1808 Barely Legal, as well as their recently released barrel aged rum.

Stop in at Illegal Tender Rum Co for a distillery tour and rum tasting, or else score yourself an award-winning bottle of rum at the cellar door.  Check out Commonplace, their restaurant on site featuring local produce.

Currently, you can get your hands on a Froth Craft Brewery beer from the brewery itself in Exmouth, but we are sure it won’t be long before these wondrous beverages make themselves at home on the shelves in the metropolitan market.

If the beautiful scenery, fantastic wildlife and amazing adventures weren’t enough to get you to Exmouth, maybe an ice cold Froth Craft Brewery beer straight from the tap will get you on the road.

Finlay's Kalbarri

A well-established family-favourite, Finlay’s is renowned for serving up delicious seafood and meals with a focus on sourcing all things locally. They have recently undergone massive renovations to their kitchen, and have added their own onsite microbrewery. Finlay’s is serving up three of their own beers; a Pale Ale, I.P.A. and Lager – and the reviews have been glowing! When in Kalbarri, you can’t go past an ice cold beer alongside a fresh seafood meal.