Gage Roads

Gage Roads might have grown to become one of the country’s largest independent brewing companies, but it’s one with humble beginnings. The WA based operation was established in 2004 by two brothers, John and Bill Hoedemaker, with their original brewery cobbled together from salvaged secondhand equipment and squeezed into a former margarine factory.

While that original kit has since been replaced with state-of-the-art German equipment (Krones CombiCube B brewhouse), Gage Roads still calls that margarine factory in Perth’s south home. It's just that, after taking one of the more idiosyncratic paths in the years since – rapid expansion with Woolworths as a part-owner before reclaiming independence by buying back shares in its listed ASX entity and setting about striking a series of eye-watering partnerships in the sporting arena – today they produce millions rather than thousands of litres every year.

Increasingly, it's beer bearing the Gage Roads name too. Where once, the brewery was known as much for producing beer for its contract partners, the "Returning to Craft" strategy launched in 2016 has seen an ever greater focus on its own beers, both in terms of driving the quality of existing beers, exploring new styles and pushing them into more venues and retailers all over Australia. It's a drive that's been helped in no small part by their success in their eyes of the country's beer judges, with a stack of medals topped off with various champion beer and champion brewery trophies.

As for the beers, they're typically designed as approachable, balanced and tight takes on their chosen style and namecheck Gage Roads' locale and the lifestyle that comes with it. The brewery itself is named after the stretch of water that separates Fremantle and Rottnest Island, while beers such as Single Fin – their aromatic, all Aussie hops summer ale – and Little Dove, the New World Pale Ale that won AIBA Champion Australian Beer in 2016, have been winning over drinkers after something craftier just as the Alby brand of lagers unveiled in 2017 have looked to cater to WA drinkers seeking a simple, locally brewed lager.

When it comes to success on the sporting field, Gage Roads is among a small but growing number of small brewing companies showing it is possible to challenge Big Beer's dominance. Indeed, it's arguably the most successful, winning pouring rights for Perth’s Optus and nib stadiums, as well as inking deals with Cricket Victoria, Rugby Australian and the Western Force in quick succession.

In 2018, in a further indication of the company's ambitions, it acquired Matso’s, bringing the Broome-based operation's famous Ginger and Mango Beer into the fold, and then rebranded its national sales and marketing team as Good Drinks. The intention, over time, is to bring more brands under that umbrella too, confirming Gage Roads development into its very own western force.

New brands have come from inside the business too, with Atomic spun off into its own operation with a brewpub home in the inner Sydney suburb of Redfern, and the Alby lagers taking on a life of their own.

And, as of January 2022, Gage Roads have a "spiritual home" of their own where beer lovers can visit. They took over the historic A Shed on the Walyalup Waterfront in Freo, creating a 1500-capacity venue complete with 25 hectolitre brewery enjoying views of the harbour 16 years on from launching their first beers.

Name
Gage Roads
Address

Peter Hughes Drive
Fremantle
WA 6160

Phone
(08) 9314 0000
Open Hours

9am to 5pm

Tours

By appointment


This is a directory listing. To find out more, head here

Gage Roads Regulars

Gage Roads Hazy As

Published September 12, 2022
Gage Roads' arrival in the realm of the soft and foggy is the result of months of playing with their new toys at the A Shed on Freo's waterfront. Five different recipes were trialled at the dockside venue, with ongoing punter feedback refining this modern hazy pale, which the Crafty team was treated to in sneak peek, tank sample form as the brewers found their happy place. Pouring – cough! – hazy as, Riwaka, Galaxy and Citra Cryo hops deliver tinned pineapple nostalgia and passionfruit in frozen… Read more
Style
Hazy Pale Ale
ABV
5.0%
Stockists

On nationwide release

Gage Roads Yeah Buoy Non-Alcoholic XPA

Published January 28, 2022
Flavor Flav’s catchcry given a nautical twist may soon become a fav flavour in the no-lo beer realm courtesy of Gage Road’s sub-0.5 percent ABV debut. But it's not easy being low, as head brewer Ross Brown points out. “Producing a well-balanced non-alc beer is a real challenge," he says. "We had to approach recipe development and ingredient selection in a slightly unconventional way. Process and quality control need to be spot on as any small variations have a big impact on the finished… Read more
Style
Non-Alcoholic XPA
ABV
<0.5%
Bitterness
14 IBUs
Stockists

Available from Gage Roads stockists nationally

And at Gage Roads Freo

Gage Roads Pipe Dreams

Published August 11, 2020
Gage Road’s pipe dream of launching with a Vienna lager fifteen years ago continues to evolve as, in the same week they announce their grand plans for a Freo brewery venue, they've released another lager. Pipe Dreams, however, is a classic European pilsner-inspired beer, which head brewer Ross Brown describes as showing “some restraint which creates a better and more drinkable beer” – and comes adorned with their new logo too. Much like its ancestors, Pipe Dreams is designed for sessionability… Read more
Style
Pilsner
ABV
4.2%
Awards

First place – The Crafty Pint's Pale Lager Blind Tasting

Gage Roads Side Track All Day XPA

Published September 12, 2019
They've been getting plenty of practice when it comes to brewing mid-strengths at Gage Roads, what with having to supply ticket holders seated outside Perth Stadium's premium areas with lower ABV variants of their flagship beers since landing that primo deal. And now here's one for their core range, a beer to tuck in alongside their big-selling summer ale Single Fin. With sensibility at heart and a playful can design to boot, Side Track is what you might term a modern mid-strength: a beer that’s… Read more
Style
Mid-Strength XPA
ABV
3.5%

Gage Roads Single Fin

Published December 19, 2018
Within Australia's craftier beer circles, it's the likes of Little Dove and limited releases such as their IIPA and Sea Devil imperial stout that will have captured drinkers' attention. Yet it's been Single Fin that's been doing much of the heavy lifting as the brewery has enjoyed rapid growth since shedding Woolworths as a partner. The summer ale crashed the top five in the 2017 GABS Hottest 100 poll, in mid-strength form is one of the offerings for patrons at the new Perth Stadium and, according… Read more
Style
Summer Ale
ABV
4.5%

Gage Roads Alby Crisp Lager

Published January 1, 2018
One Day International Cricket. Teddy and Tay Tay. Rugby League. AFL... 2018’s biggest social celebrations are already locked in at Perth’s newly minted Flavian Amphitheatre or, as Sandgropers know it, the Craypot. For the brewery that scored the WA beer industry's coup of the decade to supply the 60,000 capacity, $1.6 billion dollar stadium with up to 5,000 kegs during a five-day test match, there's the question: what on earth do you brew for them? Despite winning AIBA Champion Australian Beer… Read more
Style
Mid-strength Lager
ABV
3.5%

Gage Roads Alby Draught

Published January 1, 2018
“WA’s newest, old beer” comes courtesy of Gage Roads with clean beer and marketing designed for mass appeal and, presumably, hoping for the sort of success enjoyed by Lion's Furphy. Along with its mid-strength fellow Alby – the Crisp Lager you're likely to find pouring at the new Perth Stadium – the beer takes its name from the city's original commercial brewery, the Albion. The Albion Brewery, which went on to become the Stanley, the Emu and finally the Swan Brewery, put out a beer nicknamed… Read more
Style
Lager
ABV
4.2%

Gage Roads Little Dove

Published September 30, 2016
When they look back over their history, the Gage Roads team will view 2016 as quite a year for the little brewery that grew large aided by Woolies investment before "Returning to Craft" by taking back the retail giant's 25 percent share. Mostly, it's likely to be remembered for an evening in May when eyebrows were raised and jaws dropped in equal measure when they took out Champion Australian Beer at the prestigious Australian International Beer Awards. Chances are not many in the room… Read more
Style
Pale Ale
ABV
6.2%

Gage Roads Sleeping Giant IPA

There are IPAs aplenty being brewed across Australia these days but few that look to the UK rather than the US for inspiration. The Sleeping Giant goes back to the style's roots, resulting in a beer with a slow-building but big and broad, earthy bitterness. It opens with distinctly earthy and faintly floral hop aromas and offers up orange marmalade hop flavours that sit alongside nutty, burnt caramel and woody malts to offer IPA lovers an alternative from the punchy US-inspired hop bombs.… Read more
Style
English IPA
ABV
5.4%

Gage Roads Specials

Gage Roads Sunset State WA IPA

Published March 8, 2023
Now in its fourth year, Gage Roads’ International Women’s Day release once again celebrates women in beer with proceeds from the beer's funding a Pink Boots Australia $10K scholarship program. This year’s all-female brewing team have drawn from the WA native Geraldton Wax – part of the myrtle family – in creating their Sunset State "WA IPA". As Gage Roads Fremantle’s head brewer Simone Clements explains: "Jambinu Zest Geraldton Wax is a West Australian native plant and… Read more
Style
West Coast IPA with Geraldton Wax
ABV
6.0%

Gage Roads Cheeky Pash

Published October 5, 2022
With can art reminiscent of Ken Done fabric swatches, and contents a mere slug of white rum and West Coast Wine Cooler away from an 80s party punch, Cheeky Pash is a beer simply begging you enjoy the moment. Picking up from 2021's well-received Party Wave, here Gage Roads allow the Philly Sour yeast strain’s lightly acidic nature to weave its way through Australian mango cheeks and passionfruit; the fruity pair’s tartness carry much of the depth of character, leaving Cheeky Pash blushing with… Read more
Style
Fruited Sour
ABV
4.0%

Gage Roads After Hours

Published June 3, 2022
In what’s becoming an annual affair, earlier this year Gage Roads held a public vote to guide what would become their cool weather limited release. Last year’s winning choice led them to brew a breakfast stout infused with coffee from Twin Peaks Coffee Roasters, now set for rerelease; 2022’s digital show of hands, however, landed upon "hoppy winter ale". It’s a result that had this writer wondering what on earth that would lead to in terms of beer style, and just a little miffed… Read more
Style
Hoppy Winter Ale
ABV
6.0%

Gage Roads Party Wave

Published October 14, 2021
Gage Roads' entrance into kettle sours surfs a vibrant, stone fruit rush that’s very likely to feature in beachside activity as the weather warms. Party Wave sees them ready to bathe in the session sour space that shows no signs of slowing. Using Philly Sour – a yeast that produces moderate lactic acid notes – the beer hits with a natural zing which has its own stone fruit character on display. But the festivities are really all about Australian apricot and peach (lots of them too) and they… Read more
Style
Fruited Sour
ABV
4.2%
Stockists

Available nationally

Gage Roads Dawn Patrol

Published June 3, 2021
The caffeinated ritual signals the start of many days, not least the early risers chasing an elusive, uncrowded surf break. After winning a public vote, Gage Road’s winter limited release – the Dawn Patrol breakfast stout – may well be the reward for many after a morning in cool water. Breakfast stouts are an adjunct-assisted extension of the familiar coffee and chocolate malt-derived characters found in many darker beers. For Dawn Patrol, the brewery collaborated with Perth coffee roasters… Read more
Style
Breakfast Stout
ABV
6.0%
Stockists

Available nationally from Gage Roads stockists

In limited release

Gage Roads Rock Dance IPA

Published April 8, 2021
Building upon 2020’s well received limited release Loop The Lupe, Gage Roads' Rock Dance IPA – a core range release in their home state of WA, a seasonal in the eastern states – captures the coastal vibe of Injidup’s natural spa, a location that’s become an West Australian Instagram hotspot. As summer in WA endures, the baked ancient ochre forms offer no respite for the unprepared: it’s a rock dance to reach the alluring the turquoise water, the ballet of which is all movement, energy… Read more
Style
West Coast IPA
ABV
6.5%

Gage Roads The Bay XPA

Published October 9, 2020
Three things should be clear from this release. Firstly, Gage Roads like XPAs. Secondly, Sabro hops have a strong personality. And thirdly, judging by the label, surfing may give you green hair. Alas, one of these things is not true, and it’s not the first two. For this release, Gage Roads have partnered with SurfVisuals, which will see part of the proceeds from sales of The Bay go to the Australian Marine Debris Initiative (AMDI), a Taronga Blue not for profit program which focuses on marine waste,… Read more
Style
XPA
ABV
5.0%
Stockists

Making its way around the nation in October

Gage Roads Loop The Lupe Cryo Hop IPA

Published May 19, 2020
Earlier last decade, Gage Roads were on a roll with their regular limited releases; The Convict Australian strong ale and Changing Tides barleywine were two of the more memorable. However, as their Returning To Craft strategy dominated affairs in the second half of the 2010s, somewhat ironically these craftier releases became less of a concern. So it’s with interest that a pair of on-trend Cryo hop IPAs arrive from brands under their Good Drinks banner: one from Gage Roads and the other from hop-exploring… Read more
Style
West Coast IPA
ABV
6.8%
Stockists

Available nationwide from Good Drinks stockists

Gage Roads Small Batch Lager

Published November 21, 2019
West Coast brewers Gage Roads celebrate their crystal brewing anniversary with a throwback to their debut beer from 2004. They've released many lagers over the years; however, this return offers a window into Australia’s early Y2K beer landscape, one in which Euro-inspired lagers dominated consumption and which might be something of a curiosity for many recent converts to craftier drinking: wait, there’s no lactose in this? No DDH? No fruit? Nope, but that might be a nice change … and it does… Read more
Style
Vienna Lager
ABV
4.7%

Gage Roads VHA (Very Hoppy Ale)

Published November 6, 2019
Gage Roads' VHA (Very Hoppy Ale) has been quietly winning medals for the best part of 2019. Kicking off with gold at May’s Australian International Beer Awards then the Sydney Royal Beer and Cider Show and, finally, the Perth Royal Beer Awards, it was easy to start to wonder if this accolade-grabbing beer would actually be made available for punters or just people in white coats faced with the arduous task of evaluating hundreds of beers each day. Well, reader, the beer with the initialised sobriquet… Read more
Style
Pale Ale
ABV
5.2%
Stockists

Available in limited release – draught and cans – from Gage Roads stockists nationally

Gage Roads Red Rye IPA

Published April 5, 2018
While plenty of beers might start out as one-off releases, when awards are bestowed upon them it’s always worth considering a return. Gage Road’s Red Rye IPA is just such a beer and, having taken out Best In Show at the 2017 Sydney Royal Beer & Cider Show, it's returned in time for autumn 2018. It also happens to be the brewery’s first limited run package release since its separation from Woolworths. As for the flavours which impressed the judges, it’s a beer with prominent tropical hop… Read more
Style
Red Rye IPA
ABV
6.1%

Gage Roads Sea Devil Imperial Stout

Published June 23, 2017
Those who'd been paying attention closely for a while would have noticed something afoot. With Gage Roads' last rebrand of a few years ago came reworked recipes and a couple of new beers, none of which might have set a beer geek's world on fire, but were nonetheless fine examples of their styles, and were augmented by well received limited releases. Yet the surprise that many experienced when the WA brewery was called onstage to collect the 2016 Champion Australian Beer trophy was both palpable and… Read more
Style
Imperial Stout
ABV
9.0%
Bitterness
70 IBU
Stockists

And other good beer stockists

Gage Roads Rhubarb Gose

Published March 7, 2017
It's fair to say that those who'd been following the Gage Roads story up until a year or two ago wouldn't have expected to see a gose leaving the brewery anytime soon. Then again, who would have put money on them taking out Champion Australian Beer at last year's Australian International Beer Awards? Thus it is that Gage Roads continues its merry path of expectation puncturing with its first limited release of 2017. The Rhubarb Gose is a draught only release brewed with rhubarb roasted in house at… Read more
Style
Rhubarb Gose
ABV
4.5%
Stockists

Jimmy's Tap & Barrel

Gage Roads Dale's Saison

Published September 3, 2015
Thanks to the backing of Woolies, Gage Roads has gone in the past few years from small WA startup to the state's biggest brewer by volume. Yet for its latest limited release batch it's shining a light on brewing's grassroots. For its "Backyard to Bottleshop" venture, the brewery invites home brewers to compete for the right to have their recipe brewed on a large, commercial scale and sold nationwide. The 2015 contest invited entrants to come up with the perfect summer beer and the beer… Read more
Style
Saison
ABV
5.8%
Stockists

On tap and in good bottleshops around WA

Outside WA, all sales are being directed through BeerBud

Gage Roads & Jeremy Sambrooks Rapid Fire IPA

Published June 2, 2014
If WA brewers have a habit of produce repeat winners at the annual Australian International Beer Awards, it would seem that the state's home brewers aren't too dissimilar. At the 2012 and 2013 Perth Royal Beer Show, Jeremy Sambrooks - avid home brewer and occasional contributor to this and other beer media - took out titles in the amateur brewing championships and then added the Battle of the Brew title at a competition to brew US-inspired IPAs held at Freo's Sail & Anchor. His prize for the… Read more
Style
American IPA
ABV
6.3%
Bitterness
60 IBU

Gage Roads Small Batch Lager – RETIRED

One of two green bottled lagers in the Gage range with the more mainstream drinker in mind, the Small Batch Lager is the bigger and marginally deeper in hue of the pair. And like its little sibling, the Mid Pils, it clearly takes European lagers as it's starting point, with the faintest touch of soft, floral hops blending with sweet pale malts. A spritzy carbonation ensures it lives up to the "Crisp" claim on the bottle, while any bitterness is kept to a minimum.… Read more
Style
Lager
ABV
4.7%

Gage Roads Premium Mid Pils – RETIRED

When you're brewing for the frequently sweltering and bone dry Western Australian beer market, chances are you're going to want a midstrength in your lineup and this is where Gage Roads' Mid comes in. The brewers aim to combine midstrength with a Czech pilsner, something WA stablemates The Monk do with panache, with the result an insanely, brilliantly bright pale lager with hints of malt sweetness, lemon hop aromas and esters upfront. They all disappear off the palate in the sort of quick clean up… Read more
Style
Midstrength Pilsner
ABV
3.5%

Gage Roads Breakwater Australian Pale – RETIRED

As the Gage Roads range has expanded, it has been – as one might expect given the brewery's ethos – a case of moving in shades or semi-tones rather than leaping from one bold statement to another. The Australian Pale Ale sits ABV and style wise between the Narrow Neck Session Ale and long-established Atomic US Pale but in character is probably more a halfway point between the Lager and Atomic. For while it bears the tag Australian Pale, it's such a restrained beer that one might put it alongside… Read more
Style
Australian Pale Ale
ABV
4.5%

Gage Roads Narrow Neck Session Ale – RETIRED

Narrow Neck is one of the new additions to the Gage Roads range that appeared towards the end of 2014 and our pick of the brewery's core range. The tag "Session Ale" is likely to make the one-two punch of piney and marmaladey US hops that hits you straight up come as quite the surprise. Similar hop flavours, leaning more towards the pine, follow alongside some welcome caramel malts. "So where's the session side of things?" you might ask. It comes in two ways: for a start, there's… Read more
Style
Session Ale
ABV
3.9%