Explore Parramatta's first craft brewery

Parramatta, meet Riverside Brewing Company

The year was 2012, and as far as local craft beer went, Parramatta was, unfortunately, running dry - that is until Riverside Brewing Company came along. 

What do you get when you mix an incisive businessman with a serious home brewer? Parramatta’s first craft beer company for starters. The businessman in question is Stephen Pan, and the home brewer is Dave Padden – the original two men behind the Riverside Brewing Company and the masterminds of one of the best brewhouses in the West.

The successful brewing company’s beginnings were humble, with Pan’s and Padden’s initial experimental batches concocted in Pan’s plastics factory. What started out as a few small batches of seriously tasty ales catapulted to a thriving empire and Parramatta’s most well-known craft beer company.

"Our motivation for setting up Riverside Brewing Company stemmed from what we saw as a gap in the market and an opportunity to bring some great home brews to market, for both locals and Sydneysiders to enjoy,” Pan said.

“That’s the heart of it and it’s really grown from there."

A new beginning

During the recent lockdown, a group of individuals with a love of beer found themselves with plenty of time on their hands and decided to explore the world of home brewing. What started as a hobby quickly blossomed into a dream. When the opportunity arose to take over Riverside Brewing Company, a beloved boutique craft beer brewery in Parramatta, they knew it was the perfect chance to turn their passion into a reality.

With a history spanning over a decade, Riverside Brewing Company has gained a reputation for producing excellent quality and delicious tasting beer. The team recognizes the importance of preserving the classic core range that everyone knows and loves, while also introducing exciting and fresh ideas along the way.

As one of the most well-established micro-breweries in the city, Riverside Brewing Company is all about creating good brews, fostering friendships, and embracing good times. Join us on our journey as we continue to craft exceptional beers that bring people together and make every moment memorable.

Brewed to perfection

And as for the beers? Some of Riverside’s most notable crafts include American pale ale styles like the 69 Summer Ale, 33 Golden Ale and 55 Pale Ale, to a slightly darker beer in the 44 American Amber. The dark beers on offer include the 88 Robust Porter, Under the Milky Way Milk Stout and Othello’s Curse. Signature beers include the 77 IPA and the 777 Imperial IPA with special small batch beers available in the Hop Hefner, Harvester of Sour and a 10% Black Peril Imperial Stout.

The secret to Riverside’s success lies in the assortment of aromas that go into each blend. Every flavour you’d want from a delicious craft is available, from sour to sweet, dark, fruity, and bitter. The diverse range of beers also has something to suit every mood and even every season, from tropical summer blends with hints of citrus to dark and robust porters with traces of chocolate that scream winter.  

If you don’t get the chance to pop in and see the boys at Riverside Brewing Company for a tipple, don’t fret, their iconic bounty is stocked in over 20 bottle shops and over 50 bars and restaurants across Sydney, and has even made an appearance at the Parramatta Lanes festival.