Bells Beach Brewing Turns Ten: Still Independent, Still Thirsty, Still Raising a Ruckus

Our local craft creators hit the double digits on their drinking journey!

There are birthdays and then there are brewer-versaries; the kind that call for raising a glass, raising the roof, and maybe even raising a few eyebrows.

This year, Bells Beach Brewing hits the big 1-0, which in human years is a child who knows how to pour milk without spilling it, and in craft beer years is practically a wizard. A decade of independent brewing on the Surf Coast is no small feat, especially when the industry’s been more rollercoaster than cruisy right-hand break.

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It all started when founders Jono and Adam were spending their days soaking up the Bells Beach lifestyle but were distinctly not soaking up the beer options. Inspired by the surf, the coast and the lacklustre lagers of the local fridges, the pair made the only logical decision: fix the problem themselves. What began as small, garage-level passion projects has grown into a Torquay taproom, a beer range locals will passionately defend with the intensity of footy finals, and a constant churn of limited releases that vanish faster than a car park at Jan Juc on a public holiday.

The legends of the core range—Bird Rock Brown, Endless Summer Lager and Addis Pale Ale—are the brews that carried Bells from backyard batches to craft-scene contenders. They’re no-nonsense crowd-pleasers flavoured to be approachable but never bland, drinkable but never dumbed down. These are the beers you confidently take to a BBQ, a beach day or a tasting with your beer-enthusiast mates. Over the years, some originals have retired, a few new flavours have stepped up, and Layback Hazy Pale has cemented itself as the new kid who immediately becomes everyone’s best friend.

But Bells’ story isn’t just about what pours out of the taps. It’s about staying independent in a brewing landscape where buy-outs, sell-offs and sudden partnerships are everywhere. Jono and Adam have kept their footing, backing local producers wherever possible, from the coffee used in their dark beers to the hops and grain across the range. It’s Surf Coast spirit, but brewed, canned and shipped nationwide. These days you’ll spot Bells Beach beers far beyond Torquay, filling fridges in bars and bottle shops around Australia without losing an ounce of their coastal DNA.

Somewhere along the road, the taproom evolved into something even more chaotic and delightful, embracing their surround sound soaked shores and integrating a full-blown bandroom. We’re talking upgraded lighting, boosted sound, acoustic tweaks, and a roster that now includes not only local legends but international acts who probably didn’t expect to find themselves shredding between fermenters at a craft brewery by the sea. Name a genre and Bells has probably hosted it. Punk? Yep. Alt-folk? For sure. Metal? You bet someone has screamed into a mic while people sipped pale ale. THeir space has drawn in international names along with local favourites and has become a venue where beer lovers mingle with gig rats, and that is exactly the kind of crossover the world needs more of.

Across ten years there have been weddings, messy parties, emotional send-offs, raucous launches, questionable dance moves and more than a few people discovering the hard way that hazy pales are stronger than they look. Through it all, Bells’ team, community and die-hard supporters have kept the taps flowing and the dream alive.

As for the founders? Well, they’re feeling it—in the best and most relatable ways. “It’s cost me my hair, my wife, time with my kids and I’ve put 20kgs on. Would I do it again? Fuck yeah!!” says co-owner Adam, delivering what might be the most brutally honest brewery birthday speech in history. Jono is only slightly more diplomatic: “It’s been a tough few years in the world of independent brewers. Thanks to everyone that keeps backing us and keeping the spirit of Bells alive.”

Ten years in, they’ve nearly been wiped out more than once, but they’re still here. Still brewing. Still independent. Still chaotic in the best possible way.

So crack a tin, raise a toast and celebrate a decade of coastal craft greatness. Here’s to Bells Beach Brewing—and to the next ten years of surfing the highs, lows and very frothy middles. Cheers to that!

Find out more about Bells Beach Brewing here.