1952
Grafton opened its very own state-of-the-art brewery in North Street — but not without a hard-fought battle, with community spirit triumphing over government bureaucracy.
Grafton Brewing Co.
Our Story
Every good country town needs its own brewery.
How do you honour a brewery that helped define a town?
It’s the question behind everything we do at Grafton Heritage Brewing Co. — restoring a landmark, brewing with pride, and welcoming locals and visitors alike.
In 1952 Grafton opened its very own state-of-the-art brewery in North Street, but it didn’t come without a hard-fought battle with community spirit triumphing over government bureaucracy. The following year the local paper proudly announced that unlike the rest of NSW, Grafton would have sufficient supplies of beer for the upcoming summer — the “El Dorado of beer lovers in NSW”.
Key events along the way
1953
The local paper proudly announced that unlike the rest of NSW, Grafton would have sufficient supplies of beer for the upcoming summer — the “El Dorado of beer lovers in NSW”.
1958
Sydney-based breweries flooded the northern market with inferior product using cheap rail freight, causing substantial staff cuts. A debate even came to blows in State Parliament when the premier, John Joseph Cahill, had to be dragged off a colleague by the member for Lismore, Jack Easter.
1961
The brewery was bought by Tooheys and would spend most of its working days under that label.
1997
After decades of service to the Clarence Valley, the brewery eventually closed — leaving a gap in Grafton’s identity that locals never forgot.
2019
The historic complex was purchased by Rick Firth and his family, who set out to bring it into the 21st century — investing in overdue maintenance, a 300kW solar system, and recycling and repurposing the old timbers from the original brewery throughout the site.
Taking the beer seriously — and the town even more so.
Grafton Heritage Brewing Co. is an extension of this place: its history, its people, and a cold beer shared after a long day.
Crafted here
Our beers
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