Rusty Water Brewery: Which are the best Phillip Island Brewing Company beers?
The Rusty Water Brewery on Phillip Island is the best place to taste Phillip Island Brewing Company beers. Interesting options include the Shipwreck IPA, Chicory Stout and Mango Guava Sour.
The Rusty Water Brewery in Cowes, Phillip Island, acts as more of a restaurant than a brewery. But it is possible to taste the Phillip Island Brewing Company’s beer there.
The Phillip Island Brewing Company makes strong efforts to produce distinctive-tasting beers. Sometimes that’s through playing with malts, yeasts and hops. But this Victorian brewery also uses native Australia fruits and plants to bring through different flavours.
Shipwreck IPA at Rusty Water Brewery
Perhaps the most popular beer at the Rusty Water Brewery is the Shipwreck IPA. It is medium-bodied, but has big hop flavours driven by a mix of American hops. The punch hits up front, with tropical fruit and citrus flavours.
Which Phillip Island tour from Melbourne should I choose?
- For wildlife: Small group tour including Penguin Parade 🐧, Moonlit Sanctuary and Brighton Beach bathing boxes.
- For koalas: Phillip Island Penguin Parade 🐧 trip including Koala Conservation Reserve 🐨.
- For value: Full day tour including Penguin Parade and seals at the Nobbies Centre.
Also worth tasting is the Koala Pale Ale. Part of the profits from this go into preserving koalas on Phillip Island, but that’s not the only reason to drink it. The crisp, light-bodied pale ale starts subtly dry, but has a malty, almost nutty finish. It has an ABV of 4.8%.
Other core beers in the Phillip Island Brewing Company range include the Pure Pilsner, Sunset Golden Ale and Pinnacle Amber.
Distinctive Phillip Island Brewing Company beers
More unusual beers in the collection include the Chicory Stout, which uses chicory grown on Phillip Island to give it an unusual flavour. There’s also the Black Cockie Shiraz Porter, a collaboration with Phillip Island winemaker, the Purple Hen Winery. Perhaps the most distinctive brew of the lot, however, is the Mango Guava Sour, which manages to be both tart and refreshing. For more information, visit the brewery website.
Phillip Island is one of the most popular day trips from Melbourne. Most visitors come to see the internationally-famous Penguin Parade. However, other things to do on Phillip Island include taking a Phillip Island whale-watching cruise or visiting the Koala Conservation Reserve. You can also go tasting at the Phillip Island Chocolate Factory or go walking at Cape Woolamai.
More Victoria travel
How long is the drive from Bendigo to Shepparton?
Go swimming at Dromana Beach in Dromana.
Stay at the art deco Fish Creek Hotel in Fish Creek, South Gippsland.
What are the best stops on the Albury to Wangaratta drive?
Stop at the Benalla Art Gallery in Benalla on the Melbourne to Wangaratta drive.