Bar
Breakfast Creek Hotel
A heritage-listed 1890 pub at the meeting of Breakfast Creek and the Brisbane River, famous as the only Brisbane hotel still pouring beer off the wood.
Felons Brewing Co.
A riverside brewery and beer hall at Howard Smith Wharves, brewing lagers, IPAs, sours and barrel-aged stouts beneath the Story Bridge.
At a glance
- Type
- Brewery and beer hall
- Area
- Brisbane City (Howard Smith Wharves), Brisbane, Australia
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
- Official site
- felonsbrewingco.com.au
Good to know
- On-site brewery
- Barrel Hall
- Walk-ins and bookings
- Riverside setting
Why we recommend it
Felons Brewing Co. is the brewery at Howard Smith Wharves, and its own tagline sums up the setting: brewed down under the Story Bridge, on the banks of the Brisbane River. The brewery and beer hall occupy part of the heritage-listed wharf precinct, built between 1934 and 1942, where the bridge's northern pylons rise from the site and cliffs enclose it on the land side. Air-raid shelters built in 1941 and 1942 still sit along the base of those cliffs, a reminder of the site's wartime importance.
The beer list covers a broad range. The core line-up includes a Crisp Lager and Crisp Light, an Australian Pale Ale, an IPA, a Paradise IPA, Galaxy Haze and a Blueberry IPA, along with a sparkling cider, a ginger beer called JINGA and a Felons Cerveza. Limited releases add depth, from sour ales such as a Margarita Sour Ale and a Paloma Sour to vintage imperial stouts, and the brewery has collaborated with other brewers, artists and venues, including Firestone Walker and Yoko, its neighbour at the wharves.
Next door, Felons Barrel Hall is dedicated to barrel-aged beers, and it is worth a look if you prefer richer, more complex styles. Felons also runs venues at Manly Wharf in Sydney, including a seafood restaurant and a barrel room, but the Brisbane site is the one beneath the Story Bridge.
Walk-ins are welcome at any time, and tables can also be booked online, which is worth doing for larger groups or on busy weekends. The setting suits long afternoons with friends, after-work drinks, and groups who want to combine beer with the precinct's other venues, such as Greca and Stanley for dinner or the Story Bridge Adventure Climb beforehand.
Howard Smith Wharves is entered from Boundary Street at the eastern edge of the CBD. There is an on-site car park and a ferry terminal on the site, so arriving by river is a good option, and you can walk on into Fortitude Valley afterwards. For beer lovers, combining Felons with a pint off the wood at the Breakfast Creek Hotel makes for a varied tour of Brisbane drinking.
Felons Brewing Co. FAQs
Where is Felons Brewing Co.?
At Howard Smith Wharves, 5 Boundary Street, Brisbane City, beneath the Story Bridge.
What beers does Felons brew?
A core range including Crisp Lager, Australian Pale Ale, IPA, Paradise IPA and Galaxy Haze, plus sours and imperial stouts.
Do I need to book?
No. Walk-ins are welcome, but you can book online.
What is Felons Barrel Hall?
A separate venue at Howard Smith Wharves focused on barrel-aged beers.
Is the beer brewed on site?
Felons describes its beer as brewed under the Story Bridge on the banks of the Brisbane River.
Does Felons have other venues?
Yes, at Manly Wharf in Sydney.
How do I get there?
Walk from the CBD along Boundary Street, use the on-site car park, or take a ferry to Howard Smith Wharves.
How do I contact Felons?
Call (07) 3188 9090.