What it is
Blackman's is the hometown brewery, at 26 Bell Street in the middle of Torquay, about 500 metres from the beach. It's a brewpub: the beer is made out the back and poured at the bar, and there's a kitchen doing wood-fired pizza and burgers. The original brewhouse is still on site, making beer for the venue.
It's relaxed but busy, and people know the name well beyond the Surf Coast. There's room inside and out, with more outdoor space next door that has its own entrance from the street. It's an easy place to bring a mixed group, because there's always a lager for the ones who just want a beer and something odd on the board for the ones who don't.
How it started
Renn and Jess opened the brewpub in August 2014, with what they call a "wild dream of bringing craft beer to Torquay". It went into the old Surfrider restaurant on Bell Street, which Renn called "a bit of an institution here". Renn had been head brewer at True South in Black Rock, and the brewing kit from there came down the coast with him. They started with two taps, an IPA and a golden ale, and Renn brewed and packaged everything himself, up to about 1,000 litres a week.
It grew from there, a tank and a shed at a time. Blackman's was one of the first breweries in Australia to put an IPA in a can (the Reginald), and it was named Champion Small Australian Brewery at the 2019 Australian International Beer Awards. It's still family owned and independent.
By 2021 they'd run out of room on Bell Street, so they built a second, much bigger brewery in Grovedale, on the way to Geelong, which they call Blackman's Brewery Geelong. They kept the Torquay brewhouse going rather than moving it, so there's still fresh beer brewed on Bell Street. There's also a Blackman's Beer and Burger Bar in Ocean Grove.
The beer
Blackman's says it has 22 rotating taps in Torquay. A tasting paddle is the easy way in: "Keeping it core" was $23 and "Create your own" $25 on the 2026 menu.
The everyday beers
The core range is the Pivot City Lager ("beer for everyone"), Mervyn Pale Ale, Local Pacific Ale, Torquay XPA, Ernie Tropical Hazy, Juicy Banger, the Reginald IPA, Arthur Smoked Porter and a Patsy Wildberry Sour.
Not beer
The Winnie cider, made with Australian apples, a ginger beer, Coast Seltzer (their own seltzer brand) and a zero-alcohol lager for the driver.
The odd ones
This is where Blackman's has fun. Past seasonals have included an espresso martini kölsch and a blackberry gose. The Juicy Banger took gold at the 2018 Independent Brewers Association awards and is now in the core range. For this summer, Blackman's says Bell Street will be "Spritzville & Euro Beer Garden".
To take home
Cans are sold to take away, which is handy for a barbecue later.
Food, kids and dogs
The kitchen does wood-fired pizzas and burgers, the kind of food that goes with a pint, and there's a kids' menu for 12 and under. You can order food for pickup online, and takeaway beer is available. A 20% surcharge applies on public holidays.
Families come in for an early dinner, and it gets louder and more of a bar later on. Blackman's doesn't publish a dog policy for Bell Street, so ask the venue first. On Sundays there are Fireside BBQ Sessions, and live music under the "Tanks & Tunes" banner across the venues.
Hours and bookings
Bell Street is open Wednesday to Sunday from midday till late, and closed on Monday and Tuesday. Call (03) 5261 5310, or check the Blackman's website before you go. You can book a table through OpenTable, and on a summer weekend or a long weekend it's worth doing.
If Bell Street is full, the Grovedale brewery is about 20 minutes away at 29/8 Lewalan Street, in a warehouse in the industrial area. It has 16 taps among the tanks and the Gypsy Burger truck, and it's family friendly. It's open Thursday and Friday from 3pm and weekends from midday, closed Monday to Wednesday. Brewery tours run there: $25 a head with a tasting paddle, for up to 10 people, and you have to book. The Ocean Grove Beer and Burger Bar, at 82 The Terrace, has 12 taps and is open Wednesday to Sunday.
Getting there and what's nearby
Bell Street is in the old centre of Torquay, close to the beach. From north Torquay it's about five minutes in the car, and parking along Bell Street and the side streets can be tight in January. If anyone's drinking, plan the lift home first. Taxis are scarce, and rideshare can be slow late at night.
Being in the middle of town is the best thing about it. Walk down to the beach before or after, or get a feed at one of the places along the Esplanade. The Torquay Hotel is on Bell Street too, and so is Samesyn if you want something fancier.
Blackman's Brewery FAQ
Where is Blackman's Brewery?
26 Bell Street, Torquay, in the middle of town. There's a second, bigger brewery and taproom on Lewalan Street in Grovedale.
Is the beer brewed in Torquay?
Yes. The original brewhouse on Bell Street still makes beer for the venue, and the bigger Grovedale brewery has the canning line.
What days is it open?
Wednesday to Sunday from midday till late. It's closed on Monday and Tuesday.
Can I book?
Yes, through OpenTable from the Blackman's website.
What food is there?
Wood-fired pizza and burgers, a kids' menu, and pickup orders online.
Is there anything for non-beer drinkers?
Yes: the Winnie cider, a ginger beer, Coast Seltzer and a zero-alcohol lager.
For the other taprooms in town, see our Torquay breweries guide, including Bells Beach Brewing and the Torquay Taphouse on Baines Crescent. Our restaurants guide covers the rest of Bell Street and the Esplanade. Looking for a place to stay 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 brewery — Blackman's Brewery (official)
- About us — Blackman's Brewery (official)
- Geelong brewery — Blackman's Brewery (official)
- Ocean Grove Beer and Burger Bar — Blackman's Brewery (official)
- Contact us — Blackman's Brewery (official)
- Torquay menu 2026 — Blackman's Brewery (official)
- Blackman's Brewery Torquay — Visit Great Ocean Road
- Blackman's Brewery — SeaRoad Ferries
- Bloody ripper, the new Blackman's Brewery officially opens in Grovedale — Forte Magazine
- Blackman's Brewery is the ideal summer drinking destination — Forte Magazine
- Surf Coast Suds — The Crafty Pint