The Cascade Brewery is Australia's oldest brewery (established in 1824) and an iconic Tasmanian brand. It produces a range of beers and alcoholic ciders that can be enjoyed in Cascade Brewery Bar, which was previously the brewery manager’s house. The surrounding gardens can be explored by visitors as well and are a beautiful place to take a walk on a warm day.
Cascade uses Tasmanian barley and hops for its mainstream beers and combines it with fresh mountain water to create beer that has been celebrated for well over a century. Cascade Pale Ale holds the distinction of being Australia’s oldest continuously brewed beer (since 1832).
Some of the more popular beers include Cascade Draught (Tasmania’s best-selling beer), Cascade Bitter (Red), Cascade Lager (Blue), Cascade Stout, and Cascade Premium Light (Australia’s favorite light beer). Several other active beers are produced and seasonal beers are released on a limited basis.
The brewery is only a 5 minute drive from downtown Hobart and is situated in the foothills of Mount Wellington. The address is 140 Cascade Road, South Hobart, Tasmania.
Open 10am to 5pm every day of the week. Closed Christmas Day and Good Friday.
Tours are the perfect way to learn about the proud tradition of the brewery and develop a deep appreciation for its special Tasmanian brew. They are available to anyone over the age of 16 and depart from the Cascade Brewery Bar multiple times throughout the day (book in advance to secure a spot).
The Brewery Tours lasts approximately 1.5 hours and includes a tasting. Attendees learn about the ingredients and how the beer is made. Because it includes entering a working production facility, it is for over 16's only and all skin must be covered from the waist down, enclosed, flat shoes must be worn, and no loose jewelry is permitted. Photography is restricted to outside the brewery. The tasting is for all guests over 18 years of age.
The Cascade Story Tour is an 'all ages' tour that is 45 minutes in duration and a terrific way to learn about the history of the Cascade Brewery. The Story Tour does not enter the brewery worksite and no tastings are included.
Cascade’s Beer School is a quick 30 minute tour that introduces guests to food matching and how to pour the perfect beer. It is open to all ages and will teach guests about the history of Australia’s oldest brewery. Adults receive 2 beer/cider tokens and children are offered a soft drink.
The historical play “In the Shadow” gives guests the chance to meet the wife of Peter Degraves, Sophia Degraves, and learn about the trials and tribulations of being Degrave’s wife. The play lasts 45 minutes and is on every Saturday. No tastings are included.
The Cascade Brewhouse is not only home to an array of delicious beverage options, but hosts a restaurant as well. The menu is specially crafted to match the beers and ciders and food can be enjoyed in the bar, dining room, or outside gardens. The menu provides full meals, as well as snacks, smaller places, and desserts, and features local produce and ingredients.
The Cascade Brewery was founded by English settlers Peter Degraves and his brother-in-law, Major McIntosh. Originally a saw milling operation, the vision for the brewery was established while Peter Degraves was serving a 5-year prison sentence in Hobart for debts incurred in England. Upon his release in 1832, Degraves took over running and expanding the brewery.
After Macintosh's death in 1834, Degraves continued to expand both the milling and brewing operations at the Cascade, exporting both timber and beer to mainland Australia. The business stayed in the family for several generations and is now owned by SAB Miller. Image thanks to Tourism Tasmania & Kathryn Leahy. The image adopted for its label in 1987, H. C. Richter's nineteenth-century illustration of the now extinct Tasmanian tiger (Thylacinus cynocephalus), is from Gould's The Mammals of Australia. To learn more, tours are an excellent way to get educated on the rich history of The Cascade Brewery and its players. Image thanks to Tourism Tasmania & Kathryn Leahy.
