What it is
The Torquay Taphouse is the Torquay home of Great Ocean Road Brewing, at 27 Baines Crescent in the surf industry precinct. The building was once the Boardriders headquarters, and it's among the factory outlets, around the corner from Surf City Plaza. Bells Beach Brewing is directly across the street, so two breweries face each other here.
Great Ocean Road Brewing is owned and run by a local family, and took over the old Sou'West Brewery site in 2024. They brew on site, so the beer on tap has travelled a few metres from the tanks, and you can see the brewhouse through the glass from the tasting room. There's wine and cocktails too, and a food menu that runs from snacks to proper meals.
It's a big, easy place. There's a front lawn beer garden, a playground, room for the dog, and enough space inside for a grey afternoon. That makes it one of the better brewery picks in town if you've got kids with you.
The beer
The brewing is led by Mattias Isaksson, who is originally from Sweden and brewed around Victoria before settling here. The range sticks mostly to easy-drinking styles, with a few bigger beers for the cold months. From the brewery's own list:
Pale ales
The Pale Ale (4.7%) is the everyday one. The Cockies Pale Ale (4.7%) has won awards and now comes in cans, and there's an XPA (4.8%) and a Passionfruit Pale Ale (4.8%) that's exactly what it sounds like.
Lagers and light beers
A Mexican Cerveza (4.4%) made with malted corn, a Summer Ale (4.4%), and a Hazy Mid (3.5%) for the driver. The Cockies Native Lager (4.9%) is brewed with Australian ingredients and saltbush from the coast.
IPA
The IPA (5.9%) is full of flavour without going too hard on the bitterness.
Stouts
A 6% stout, and sometimes a Raspberry Vanilla Stout (6.5%). Seasonal beers like the Hoppy Red Ale come and go, so what's pouring changes.
Photo: Ginger and Mint Photography,
used with permission 
Photo: Ginger and Mint Photography,
used with permission Kids, dogs and a rainy day
The front lawn is the main event in summer. It's a beer garden with a playground for the kids, and dogs are welcome on the lawn. Parents get a drink and the kids get to run around.
When the weather turns, there's pool and shuffleboard inside. Live music is on Friday and Saturday nights, so it gets livelier later in the week.
Tours, functions and the Tap Club
Brewery tours
Run on Saturdays, among the tanks. Book online through the Taphouse before you go.
Functions
There are three spaces to hire (the Tasting Room, the Sun Lounge and the Beer Hall), or you can take the whole venue. Birthdays, engagements and team days all come up on their enquiry form.
Tap Club
The brewery's members' club, which you can join from the Taphouse page.
Hours and bookings
When we checked in October 2026, the Taphouse was open for food and drinks from Wednesday to Sunday:
- Wednesday, 4pm to 9pm
- Thursday, 4pm to 10pm
- Friday and Saturday, midday till late
- Sunday, midday to 9pm
It's shut on Monday and Tuesday. Bookings are recommended, especially on summer weekends, and the easiest way is the online booking page. For the week's specials and events, see the Taphouse website.
Getting there and what's nearby
Baines Crescent is behind Surf City Plaza on the Surf Coast Highway, at the Geelong end of town. It's about five minutes' drive from north Torquay, and there's parking in the street and around the precinct. If you're drinking, sort out the trip home before you go: taxis are thin on the ground in Torquay and rideshare can be slow late at night. Our getting around without a car guide has the options.
It's easy to pair with the shops. The surf outlets are on the same street, and the surfing museum is at Surf City Plaza on the highway. Across the street, Bells Beach Brewing does burgers, gigs and a different range of beers, so you can try both in one afternoon.
Making a Saturday of it
Saturday is the best day for it, because that's when the tours run. Start at the Torquay farmers market in the morning, which our markets guide covers, then have a surf or a walk along the beach while the wind's still down. Wander the outlets after lunch, do the brewery tour, and finish on the lawn with a paddle while the kids are on the playground.
If it's blowing a gale, swap the beach for the surfing museum and save the lawn for another day. The inside of the Taphouse is big enough to sit out a squall.
Torquay Taphouse FAQ
Where is the Torquay Taphouse?
27 Baines Crescent, Torquay, in the old Boardriders headquarters behind the surf outlets. It's about five minutes' drive from north Torquay.
Is the beer brewed on site?
Yes. Great Ocean Road Brewing brews at the Taphouse, and you can see the brewhouse from the tasting room.
Is it good for kids?
Yes. There's a playground in the front lawn beer garden, plus pool and shuffleboard inside.
Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are welcome on the front lawn.
When are the brewery tours?
On Saturdays. Book online before you go.
What days is it open?
Wednesday to Sunday when we checked, from 4pm midweek and from midday Friday to Sunday. It's closed Monday and Tuesday.
The rest of the local beer is in our Torquay breweries guide, from Blackman's on Bell Street to Forrest in the Otways. For dinner, see the restaurants guide, and for more with the kids, our family holiday guide. Need somewhere 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 Taphouse — Great Ocean Road Brewing (official)
- Our range — Great Ocean Road Brewing (official)
- About us — Great Ocean Road Brewing (official)
- Function enquiry — Great Ocean Road Brewing (official)
- Taphouse details (email to Holyday House, 19 October 2026) — Torquay Taphouse
- Great Ocean Road Brewing expand into former Sou'West site in Torquay — The Crafty Pint
- Torquay Taphouse — Visit Great Ocean Road