Slipstream Brewing Co

In 2017, Deale and Elisa Stanley-Hunt started Slipstream Brewing with a simple vision: to bring a taste of the US beer scene to Australia. They’d tripped over to the States a number of times to tour as many breweries, brewpubs and bars as they possibly could. And while other people returned home with souvenirs, they returned with the drive to open a brewery that reflects American beer.

They started with the flavours: without ever ignoring the role of malt and yeast, Slipstream have had hop-forward beers at the core of their DNA from the beginning. The regular lineup is chocked with hop character aplenty, from the citrusy ease of Billy Cart Pale Ale (balanced with rye) through the fruit salad notes of Laguna Tropical Pale Ale to the floral, fruity and resinous complexity of G-Force IPA. Even the can design of the core range evokes the American spirit of retro Pepsi cans and professional baseball uniforms.

When it comes to limited release IPAs, Slipstream often dedicate entire series to exploring the category, whether that’s digging into different hop varieties (like their Hop Hero series), different techniques (like their Hop Burst series) or different regions (like their West Coast Tour series).

It’s important not to overstate the focus on hops, though – the same attention to detail goes into every beer that comes out of the brewery. You see it in Slipstream’s core Regatta Lager, their ongoing Fruit Cart Sour series, and their yearly release of Anniversary Ale imperial stout. In fact, Slipstream has picked up a reputation for quality and consistency across the board, regardless of style.

As Elisa points out: “A lot of what we hear from people is, ‘You never have a bad beer from Slipstream.’.”

The American influence continues into the venue. Whenever the Stanley-Hunts were Stateside, they loved the breweries with large taprooms and full restaurant offerings they came across, and knew they wanted to create that same kind of space. So while they first opened with just a small cellar door attached to their brewery in Yeerongpilly, investment from Mighty Craft allowed them to expand the space to include a 250-person capacity hospitality venue.

It’s easy to get to, being just a 7km drive from the city or a 20 minute train from Central to Yeerongpilly Station. Out the front you’re met with a beer garden full of picnic tables: sunny but shaded during the day, and sparkling with festoon lighting at night.

But as lovely as the beer garden is, inside is where they both make and serve the beer, so it’s where you’ll find most of the punters. It’s also where you can lounge on a couch, perch on a barstool at raised tables or lean on a barrel. (There’s also the option to sit around an indoor tree. I don’t know why, but I love indoor trees.) If you’re having a full sit-down meal, you can make yourself comfortable on cushioned bench seating, or you and your group might prefer to book a long timber table for slow dining.

A sprawling food menu covers classic menu items like Spicy Buffalo wings, burgers and a New York style steak; CaliMex options including tortilla chips, fish tacos, Mexican street corn and a chilli con carne wood-fired pizza; or if you’d prefer, there’s always slow-smoked meats you can get as a share platter with chipotle coleslaw and BBQ sauce, on a brisket burger, or on a pizza with caramelised onion. The menu also includes gluten free and vegan options, and a handful of kids meals. Drinks wise, as well as the 20 taps of Slipstream beer, there’s a tiered wine list featuring mostly Aussie producers and a range of spirits and cocktails.

If it isn’t already clear, this is a place thoughtfully designed to make everyone feel welcome. Corporate crowd having a work function? Locals rocking up in shorts and thongs? Families with a pram and a couple of tots? Tradies in hi-vis knocking off with a few schooners? Glammed-up group of friends having a birthday celebration? There’s room for everyone at Slipstream.

They say everything’s bigger in America, so perhaps it shouldn’t be surprising this brewery is constantly expanding: the number of fermenters keeps growing, while the canning line and centrifuge allow the team to get more beer out into the world. But this isn’t a brewery that loses sight of its humble beginnings. Deale and Elisa always have room for their beloved locals, who have been with them from the very first day, whether that’s by sponsoring the local footy and cricket clubs, supporting not-for-profit organisation Sailability, or donating beer to school fêtes (for the parents, not the kids!).

Of course, you don’t have to be a local to enjoy Slipstream’s beer. After all, their whole ethos is about bringing the taste of American beer to Australia, so they’ll gladly go the extra mile to get it to your front door. You can order a mixed carton of Slipstream’s core range from their online store to taste your way through the range, or grab up some of their latest limited releases. But if you want to fill up a growler, or get a tasting paddle, or admire the stainless steel tanks and pipes that make all the magic happen, get yourself in for the proper Slipstream experience.

As the years tick on, Slipstream’s vision hasn’t changed. It’s not overdone, or gimmicky, or focused exclusively on US ingredients and styles. But there’s a definite streak of American beer running through the brewery; it’s effective, and it’s delicious.

And as the punters say: you’ll never get a bad beer from Slipstream.

Mick Wüst

Name
Slipstream Brewing Co
Address

94 Wilkie Street
Yeerongpilly
QLD 4105

Phone
(07) 3892 4582
Open Hours

Wed to Sun: 11am to 10pm


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Slipstream Brewing Co Regulars

Slipstream Brewing Hazy XPA

Published December 7, 2022
Slipstream have always described themselves as being a hop-focused brewery, but their preferences could be described as even more specific than this; take a closer look at their lineup and you’ll see they prefer bitter American pale ales and West Coast IPAs to hazy pales and East Coast IPAs. This is the reason they went five whole years of operating before they put out a hazy beer in cans. I say this because when you taste Hazy XPA, you’ll probably think: “Why on earth haven’t Slipstream… Read more
Style
Hazy XPA
ABV
5.0%

Slipstream Brewing Co Regatta Lager

I’ve never been to one, but regattas strike me as quite hoity-toity. The Regatta Hotel in Brisbane, on the other hand, always struck me as quite working class. I don’t know which one Slipstream is evoking with the name of this beer, but I’m not sure it matters; this is surely a beer anyone could get behind. A sweet smell of grain wafts out of the glass, filling me with the impression of fresh produce and making me feel vaguely agricultural; somehow it’s like I’m at a harvest festival surrounded… Read more
Style
Lager
ABV
4.5%

Slipstream Brewing Co Billy Cart Pale Ale

My brother and I had a rockin’ billy cart when we were kids. I don’t remember if we made it or we found it, but it was a great little machine: proper rubber wheels, a rope for steering, and one of those plastic chairs you get in school halls (but with the legs removed) as our own racing car bucket seat. We used to pick up some serious speed in that bad boy, and if I’m being honest as a guy in my 30s I think I’d be scared to ride it today lest I get thrown and break a hip or something. I’ve… Read more
Style
Mid-Strength Pale Ale
ABV
3.4%

Slipstream Brewing Co Magic Mile XPA

On the south side of Brisbane, in the suburb of Moorooka, there’s a spot known as the Magic Mile. It’s not as exciting as it sounds – at its best, it was a stretch of car yards, and for decades it was the place in Brisbane to go when you wanted to buy a car. When car dealerships ads interrupted your viewing of The Nanny or Home Improvement, they’d mention that they were on the Moorooka Magic Mile. Today, the precinct is largely defunct since so many people buy cars on something called the… Read more
Style
XPA
ABV
5.5%

Slipstream Brewing Co Laguna Tropical Pale Ale

A hazy yellow on the eyes, alluring on the nose, and easier than the riddles on the back of a cereal box. While tinned pineapple aromas hit you with a heady rush, the flavours that meet you on the palate are quite soft: there’s pineapple and mango, but with a restrained sweetness and a smooth pale malt ride to the finish. The flavour profile of Laguna is distinctly tropical (as opposed to, say, citrus or pine), but don’t expect a giant fruity cocktail. Having said that, I don’t think anyone… Read more
Style
Tropical Pale Ale
ABV
4.1%

Slipstream Brewing Co G-Force IPA

How can an IPA be simultaneously so simple and so complex? Take a whiff, have a sip, and it’s tempting to just say, "citrus and resin". The hops aren’t coy; they’re jumping at you from the glass and presenting themselves from the first taste. Nothing left to discover, right? Until you realise the smooth malt base is doing some great work at holding those hops steady, like a firm yet comfortable mattress you can jump on and your glass of wine won’t spill at all. (Seriously, I could… Read more
Style
IPA
ABV
6.5%

Slipstream Brewing Co Scooter American Red Ale

Fun fact: The first Vespa wasn’t named so because of the buzzing sound of its motor (Vespa is Italian for wasp), but because of its big-bottomed shape. I heartily recommend watching this video of how Vespas are made.† Eight minutes well spent. Coincidentally, eight minutes is about the maximum amount of time you’d take to drink a Scooter American Red Ale. This moped doesn’t waste any time – it’ll duck between the bollards of your teeth, race over your tongue and zip down your throat before… Read more
Style
American Red Ale
ABV
4.5%

Slipstream Brewing Co Pale Ale

While most of Slipstream’s beers are designed with a focus on big flavour – even the not-so-big beers – this pale is designed with a focus on big approachability. A gentle tropical hop presence on the nose leads into a palate of citrus and soft, grainy malt. The carbonation keeps things smooth on the tongue, and the slight bitterness exists to keep you moving on to the next tinnie. The goal is for anyone and everyone to be able to enjoy this beer, whether they’re new to hop-forward beers… Read more
Style
Pale Ale
ABV
4.2%

Slipstream Brewing Co Specials

Slipstream Brewing Uncharted Oat Cream IPA HBC-630

Published April 2, 2023
When I first saw this instalment of Slipstream’s Uncharted series, I wondered why it was an oat cream IPA. The point of the series is to showcase experimental hop varieties; why add oats and lactose? Then I read a little about HBC 630, the experimental hop in question. Specifically, I read: “HBC 630 is complex and fruity, with sweet fruits and berries like raspberry and cherry, along with sweet candy-like esters and lactones giving creamy notes of peach and banana.” So, OK, it’s already halfway… Read more
Style
Single Hop Oat Cream IPA
ABV
7.3%

Slipstream Brewing Batch #1000 Quadruple IPA

Published December 7, 2022
A thousand batches of beer. That is a lot of beer. I don’t mind admitting I haven’t made that much beer. But Slipstream have reached this milestone, and they decided to celebrate by brewing a IIIIPA as their thousandth batch. In the theme of celebration, I’m picturing a glamorous awards night. Come on the journey with me. The guest of honour steps out of a limousine and onto the red carpet. Batch #1000 is wearing a satin dress the colour of nectarine flesh. Everything is smooth and flowing.… Read more
Style
Quadruple IPA
ABV
12.0%
Bitterness
100 IBU

Slipstream Brewing West Coast Tour: Washington

Published September 13, 2022
Who can say where the road goes? Where the day flows? Only time. These are the words that washed over me like a dirge as I cracked open the final entry in the Slipstream’s West Coast Tour series.† I’m sad it’s time for this series to reach its final destination. But it’s a strong finish [One that gained a top five finish at our Queensland vs Australia IPA Blind Tasting event too – Editor]. Washington, the state that gave rise to Hendrix, Nirvana and Macklemore, is also the home of Yakima… Read more
Style
West Coast IPA
ABV
6.6%
Bitterness
70 IBU

Slipstream Brewing Co Vienna Lager

Published August 25, 2022
It’s no secret Slipstream love hops. They love making punchy IPAs, and experimenting with new varieties, and showcasing big flavours. But since they’re always talking about their passion for hops, it almost is a secret that they love exploring the world of lagers, too. These lagers are usually keg-only small batches at their venue, but this one has made it into tinnies. Slipstream’s Vienna Lager is paler than many other examples, pouring more of a gold than a deeper copper colour. The malt… Read more
Style
Vienna Lager
ABV
5.0%
Stockists

From the brewery

And online here

Slipstream & Almanac Coffee Roasters Mocha Stout

Published July 14, 2022
Each winter, Slipstream brew up their Mocha Stout with coffee beans from a local roaster. This year’s stout contains coffee from Almanac Coffee Roasters, a little Brisbane roaster putting out some excellent specialty beans. Give a hearty pour and Mocha Stout will treat you with a thick brown head, but in time it drifts away to leave the stout looking like a glass of cold brew coffee. But that’s fair enough, considering this beer is is all about the long, smooth coffee taste. There’s some sweetness,… Read more
Style
Mocha Stout
ABV
6.5%

Slipstream Brewing Uncharted IPA HBC 586 & Fruit Cart Mulberry Sour

Published June 26, 2022
Slipstream have started another IPA series. This is wonderful news. Their Uncharted series is about exploring experimental hop varieties to see what flavours they can wring from them, and I don’t think anyone will have a problem with that. The first IPA out of the gate is a West Coast featuring HBC 586, a variety cultivated by the Hop Breeding Company in Yakima, Washington. And woof... There is a lot of intense flavour going on here; it’s hard to believe it’s all from a single hop variety. At… Read more
Style
Single Hop IPA & Fruit Sour
ABV
6.5% & 3.5%

Slipstream Brewing Co Anniversary Ale V & BA Anniversary Ale IV

Published June 6, 2022
And just like that, Slipstream Brewing hit their fifth birthday. They grow up so quickly, don’t they? With birthday number five comes Anniversary Ale number five, although we’ll use fancy Roman numerals along with Slipstream, and call it Anniversary Ale V. It has a classy new can design, yet is made with the same recipe as 2021’s release, and 2019’s, and 2018’s; the 2020 version was an exploration of a softer, more chocolatey flavour, but the recipe then reverted back to this bold, roasty… Read more
Style
Imperial Stouts
ABV
Both 10.0%

Slipstream Brewing Co West Coast Tour: Oregon

The inspiration for Slipstream came when Deale and Elisa Stanley-Hunt visited the US, touring from brewery to brewery, until they got a sense of each region they explored. So when they started the West Coast Tour series, it was almost a coming home for them. After starting the tour with California and Idaho, they moved on to Oregon. This beer showcases the character of the Beaver State (lol) with a base of Oregon malt that lets Willamette hops express their distinctive taste. Bred from English Fuggles,… Read more
Style
West Coast IPA
ABV
6.6%

Slipstream Brewing Co Maximum G-Force Imperial IPA

What? Nine percent? But it’s so easy to drink! Slipstream’s G-Force IPA has always been a crowd pleaser, and for good reason: as far as core range IPAs go, it’s a force to be reckoned with. In 2020, the Slipstream crew decided to one-up themselves by brewing an imperial version. And since it turned out to be just as popular, they brought it back again the next year, and again the next year… The brief for Maximum G-Force was simple: “We wanted to try to retain all the aroma and balance of… Read more
Style
Imperial IPA
ABV
9.0%

Slipstream Brewing Co Fruit Cart Cherry Sour

Slipstream’s Fruit Cart series is a simple concept: a base sour beer with each entry in the series containing a different fruit, bringing different a flavour and usually a different colour. (It took me an embarrassingly long time to realise the fruit vendor on the label also has different facial hair for each flavour.) They’re meant to be uncomplicated, refreshing and fun. The Cherry Sour hits the glass with the colour of cherry juice and the cloudiness of guava nectar.† On the nose, it’s… Read more
Style
Cherry Sour
ABV
3.5%