Hop On Brewery Tours

Hop On Brewery Tours offers guided brewery and distillery experiences departing from Brisbane and the Gold Coast, with the Brisbane CBD listing providing a base for exploring the region’s independent beer scene. Rather than a simple pub crawl, the tours combine tastings with an introduction to how beer is made, visits to working breweries and behind-the-scenes access to at least one production site. Guides explain the role of beer’s four main ingredients, share the stories of the venues and, where possible, introduce guests to the brewers themselves.

There is a broad choice of itineraries. The half-day Dash of Brisbane visits three Brisbane breweries, while the full-day Best of Brisbane takes in four inner-city breweries and includes lunch. Other Brisbane options explore the north, south, east or Ipswich areas, and there are dedicated distillery tours for guests interested in gin, rum and whisky. Combo tours add activities such as virtual reality gaming, detective work or go-karting. Tour inclusions vary, but the business says tastings are included, transport is provided in a private air-conditioned van, and every tour includes snacks on the van. Public tours require at least four guests.

The experience is designed to be informative without feeling like formal study. Hop On says its aim is to help people understand their own tastes, making the tours suitable for experienced craft beer drinkers, home brewers and people who do not usually choose beer. The team positions the day around trying better beer rather than simply drinking more, with guides offering context about different styles and flavours. Central pick-up points near public transport, licensed and accredited guides, and an emphasis on responsible touring add practical appeal.

The company was established in 2016 by Matt Farrelly and Joslyn Erickson. Matt moved into the business after a career in finance, while Joslyn brought a background in tourism and travel and a longstanding interest in craft beer. Their relationships with breweries across Brisbane and the Gold Coast are central to the experience, and the business says it is even used by brewery teams for their own outings. Tours can be arranged for date days, corporate events, team-building, birthdays, bucks and hens parties, end-of-year celebrations or a catch-up with friends. Gift vouchers are also available, with tour and dollar-value options.