What it is
Bells Beach Brewing is a small independent brewery with a taproom at Unit 2, 22 Baines Crescent, in Torquay's surf industry precinct. It's behind the Rip Curl headquarters and across the road from the Torquay Taphouse, in a converted industrial shed with the tanks looming over the bar.
Like a lot of good laneway bars, it can be a little hard to find the first time. Look for the high tables and blue umbrellas outside and the burger truck parked out the front. Inside, it's part taproom and part band room, with sport on the big screen when there's no gig on.
How it started
The founders, Jono Moscrop and Adam Smith, were automotive engineers who worked for Ford in the UK, the US and Bavaria. They came home to the Surf Coast, liked the surf and didn't think much of what was on tap locally, so they started brewing their own. The brewery says the idea was hatched at Bird Rock, the right-hander at Jan Juc. Surf photographer Jeff Crow joined them early on.
Their first beer, the Southside Saison, came out in 2015 and won a silver medal at the Craft Beer Awards. The Torquay taproom opened in December 2018. In 2020, despite the lockdowns, they opened a second taproom in Geelong's Little Malop Street precinct, and later took over a second building in Torquay to expand the brewery. It's now been going for ten years and is still independent, which is harder than it sounds in the beer business.
The beer
Plenty of the beers are named after local surf breaks, which is a nice way to learn the coast. The taps change regularly, but these are the regulars:
Endless Summer Draught
A clean, crisp Aussie draught lager. The easy one.
Addis Pale Ale
An American-style pale named after the break past Bells, with American and New Zealand hops.
Bird Rock Brown
A coffee brown ale made with coffee from Mikro Coffee Roasters, a local roaster. Smooth and malty.
Layback Hazy Pale
The newer favourite: a hazy pale with tropical, coconut and lychee flavours.
Hells Bells XPA and Posso's IPA
The XPA was first brewed for the 2020 Rip Curl Pro. Posso's is named after Point Impossible, the long reef break east of town.
And the rest
Bells Session Ale, Kanagawa Japanese Lager, Raglan Haze, No Swell alcohol-free pale ale, Sea Cider and Goofy's Hard Lemonade. There are seasonals, limited releases and the odd collab too.
Head brewer Kevan and the team have won medals at the Australian International Beer Awards. Behind the bar there are local wines, sparkling, spirits and non-alcoholic drinks for anyone who'd rather not have a beer.
Burgers and gigs
Food comes from the Gypsy Burger truck on site: burgers and brewery snacks. You're also welcome to order in from somewhere else.
The music is a big part of it. The taproom has grown into a proper band room, with better lighting and sound, and it's hosted everyone from dub legend Mad Professor to Ash Grunwald and Bob Log III, plus all-day dance parties. Check the gig guide on the brewery's website or socials before you go. Some nights are quiet pints and some are loud.
"Bring your mates, bring your kids, bring your dog," says the brewery, so it's family and dog friendly. It's relaxed in the afternoon. The brewery also hires out its F-100, a mobile bar in an old Ford truck, for weddings and parties.
Hours
The taproom is open Thursday to Sunday: from 4pm till late on Thursday and Friday, midday till late on Saturday, and midday to 8pm on Sunday. From Monday to Wednesday it's open for takeaway. Call (03) 7019 8161, or check the Bells Beach Brewing website before you go.
Getting there and what's nearby
Baines Crescent is behind Surf City Plaza on the Surf Coast Highway, at the Geelong end of town, about five minutes' drive from north Torquay. The surf outlets are on the same street, so it's an easy reward after a bit of shopping. If you're drinking, book your lift home ahead, because taxis and rideshare are thin on the ground late.
The Torquay Taphouse is across the road, with a lawn and playground, so one of you can do the kids and the other can do the band. And if a few of the beer names mean nothing yet, our surfing guide covers the local breaks.
Bells Beach Brewing FAQ
Is Bells Beach Brewing at Bells Beach?
No. The taproom is in Torquay, at Unit 2, 22 Baines Crescent. Bells Beach itself is about 10 minutes' drive away.
When is it open?
Thursday to Sunday, from 4pm on Thursday and Friday and from midday on the weekend. Monday to Wednesday is takeaway only.
Is there food?
Yes. The Gypsy Burger truck is on site, and you can order in from elsewhere.
Is there live music?
Regularly. The taproom doubles as a band room. Check the gig guide for what's on.
Who owns it?
It's independent, founded by Jono Moscrop and Adam Smith. It's been brewing for ten years.
Is there a Bells Beach Brewing in Geelong?
It opened a second taproom in Geelong's Little Malop Street precinct in 2020. The brewery's website doesn't list Geelong hours, so check before you go.
For the rest of the local beer, see our Torquay breweries guide, including Blackman's on Bell Street. The real Bells is in our Bells Beach guide. For gin rather than beer, see our guide to Great Ocean Road Distillery. Staying in north Torquay? Check dates at Holyday House.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on 19 October 2026. Opening hours, patrols, rules and closures change — check with the source before you go.
- Torquay taproom — Bells Beach Brewing (official)
- Our story — Bells Beach Brewing (official)
- Bells Beach Brewing — Bells Beach Brewing (official)
- Contact — Bells Beach Brewing (official)
- Bells Beach Brewing — Independent Brewers Association (indiebeer.com.au)
- Bells Beach Brewing — Broadsheet
- Bells Beach Brewing Turns Ten — Forte Magazine
- Bells Beach Brewing — Visit Great Ocean Road
- Bells Beach Brewing — The Crafty Pint
- From the coast to the city, Bells Beach Brewing is bringing craft beer back to Geelong's most-loved laneway — Forte Magazine