Golden Hills Brewery

Things got off to a rocky start for Diamond Creek’s Golden Hills Brewery.

Ready to open the day before Victoria’s first lockdown in 2020, owner Tyson Chambers (also behind New Northcote Brewhouse and Mr Mister) quickly called in favours, canning beer that was never meant for anything but pints and pots and operating as a bottle shop.

Though the lockdown days are over, packaged beer has stuck – a win for visitors, because you’ll definitely want to take some home. Brewing is helmed by Steve Mathews (ex-Hargreaves Hill and Bridge Road Brewers) who balances the brewery's 11 taps between approachable, everyday styles and some more adventurous tilts.

The core range is straightforward – there’s a lager, a pale ale and a popular mid-strength – while crafty types will find a feijoa sour, ginger and lime gose, red rye IPA and an imperial stout. Tasting paddles are a great way to sample the lot, while non-beer drinkers will find classic cocktails and mostly Australian wine.

Though brewery by name, Golden Hills isn’t just about drinking. Doors open before midday for coffee while the all-day lunch and dinner menu starts soon after. Like the beer, food is broadly approachable but inventive where it needs to be. There’s classic pub fare like the chicken parma and fish and chips, while you might also find pork chop with mustard gravy and apple and fennel slaw, or half roast chicken with miso butter.