You’ve heard the saying, ‘to beer, or not to beer, that is the question.’ Hold on. Is that even the saying? 

Oh dear, we can’t quite recall at this stage as the Guardian & Tribune have just travelled across the Scenic Rim and Ipswich to taste test all of the breweries in the region (designated driver in tow, of course). 

We’ve mapped out a route from Boonah and back so ‘hops’ to it ‘brew’…

Because as you know, love is ‘ale’ we need. 

Scenic Rim Brewery Mount Alford

Only a short 10-minute drive from Boonah’s High street, you’ll find the village of Mount Alford with the Scenic Rim Brewery perfectly positioned on the main road. This little gem has ‘country brewery’ written all over it and as each label says, “serve bloody cold, come to your senses, grab a glass for an enhanced flavour,” you can see why. The ‘Ginger extra dry’, ginger beer is a delicious pale ale mixed with local hints of honey and ginger whereas the ‘Beauy and Blue’ dives into all things pumpkin and spice. 

In honour of those who fought for our country, the ‘Digga’ is a deliciously fruity pale ale which stems from Belgium yeast used and the ‘Fat man’ is a dark, malted grain beer with a ruby colour, perfect for any Maroon supporters. 

‘Giddy Gout,’ milk stout, delivers a decadent, dark, smooth, creamy taste where-as the ‘phar-que’ beer is more for those after a strong yet sweet flavour. 

Last but not least, our favourite, ‘Shazza’ a mid-strength beer perfect for those designated drivers among us.

Fortitude Brewing Co - Tamborine Mountain

A delightful one hour drive high on the mountain and one word, elegance, comes to mind. 

This is not just a brewery but an entire experience. Take yourself up the magnificent staircase toward Fortitude Brewing Co, past the friendly cheesemakers on site and straight toward what we’ve all been waiting for … the beer. 

At the counter, you’ll find Fortitude’s Brewing Co manager, Trish who is willing to tell you anything and everything you need to know.  

The ‘Pacer’ is your light, tropical ale with hints of citrus and passionfruit whereas the Summer ale is a hop in the right direction if it’s more of a wheat beer that you’re after here. While the ‘stout’ and the ‘Golden’ speak for themselves and the fruitiness of the pale ale was indeed tempting however, it was the German lager which got our vote of the day, with hints of citrus and floral aromas. Deliciously ‘Crafty’.

Ballistic Beer Co - Springfield

A further 50-minute car ride will be worth your while when you arrive at Ballistic Beer Co in Springfield. 

With ten beers to choose from you would have to believe it’s your ‘beer-day’. The oaked XPA offered the ‘full-bodied,’ mango-vibes whereas the Ballistic IPA was exactly what we needed to hit the spot. 

With hints of fruitiness yet earthiness, this flavour was a real party on the tastebuds, we can assure you. While the ‘Mexican Hot Choc Stout’ screams all things cocoa and extreme, the ‘cold one’ is a delicate drinkable, topical yet complex beer. 

The pale ale, lager and IPA however were all on par for us and, well …let’s just say we got a good dose of ‘vitamin B’ here. 

4 Hearts Brewing Company - Ipswich CBD

Last but not least was the 4 Hearts Brewing Company, nestled in the Ipswich CBD and only a 20-minute drive from Ballistic Beer Co. 

Here we were lucky enough to meet up with head brewer, Kenneth Friend, whose last name describes his nature perfectly. 

With countless beers brewed on site to choose from, Ken said we couldn’t go past the ‘Ipswich Challenger’ and with its hints of mandarin and green tea, boy was he right. 

For those conscious of a beer belly however, the 4 Hearts Brewing Company have a top of the range Gluten-free beer available. Ken said it is rapidly becoming their best seller. 

According to Ken, “it’s the passion and the love,” behind their beverages, which make 4 Hearts Brewing Co  an absolute must hangout whenever you’re in the Ipswich CBD.