This is another one of those popular pubs, but then again that probably has a lot to do with the…read morefact that we ended up here during the Christmas break, and it was evening as well, so I guess that is also something to consider. Look, the pub wasn't really all that bad, and it certainly did have some charm, and a nice beer on tap as well, but in my mind it really wasn't anything all that special. Then again, it really wasn't all that bad either. Yeah, I liked it. Oh, and there was live music as well, but it was only a cover band.

The Old Bush Inn, or "the top pub" as it is known to locals, is a true country pub whilst not being…read moreall that far from metropolitan Adelaide and only 20 minutes on the Southern Expressway. On my last visit to almond country (Willunga) I made a bee line straight for this pub, located on the top of the main road. Packed with locals during dinner, to avoid the cold my friends and I chose to sit at one of the only remaining indoor tables--bar tables near the pool table and juke box. Service was good and fast and the traditional pub fare that I and one of my mates chose, Salt and Pepper Squid and Surf and Turf were hearty and tasty. My other friend chose the salad however and was punished as all health conscious vegetarians should be in a place like this, and her food was gross. The salad was covered in a grey gruel that looked like the weird nutrient food people eat in the Matrix, and half of an Avocado sat on her plate as if to say "cut it yourself you hippie". What we had really come to see was the open mic night where anyone can just get up and perform. This starts from about 9pm on a Thursday and for the most part was awesome. On the night I was there, there were several solo artists of varying degrees of talent, and a bagpiper. Of those I got to see, the best performer was one young local called Aiden who played an awesome mellow indy version of the theme song of Fresh Prince of Belair. It was a mate of mine's birthday and the bagpiper struck up the whole "Happy Birthday" and the entire bar serenaded my mate. The place also stocks my favourite cider, South Australia's own Aussie Cider.

This is a hard place to rate as I'm not quite sure which category to rate it against. to me, it's a…read morevery casual wine bar with great wine. I tried the sparkling shiraz and it was simply wonderful! They serve a small selection of wine, cider and beer - you don't need lot's of options of they're really good choices - as well as simple snacks but nothing from a kitchen or any food off a menu. It's the perfect place to come for a relaxing drink by the water when visiting Goolwa. I suggest planning your next move if you need lunch or dinner though. they charged $10 entry on NYE to view the fireworks from here.

Great destination to have a relaxing afternoon with a fine wine and great staff. In addition you…read morehave fantastic views and parking is easy.

I've been to Sunset Bar a couple of times. The first time was when I was looking for a 21st venue…read moreand decided to see what they had to offer. Unfortunately they don't have a private function room, but they offered the back end of the bar for us, which wasn't what I was looking for but they were very helpful and accommodating to what I said I liked and wanted etc. The second time I came here was a Sunday night with a few of the girls. We decided to have a couple of quiet drinks and to splurge on a cocktail. I chose the Snickers cocktail which was delish!! It cost about $16 but it was huge. That night Sunset Bar wasn't overly busy and there were a few very drunk girls making fools of themselves (but I guess you can get this anywhere), but apart from that the location of Sunset Bar is great, it's got a large bar and plenty of seating and dance floor space. You can also sit outside on the Marina side or beach side. A perfect summer spot!

Really nice place! Unfortunately we didn't get to see the view as the back half of the bar was…read moreroped off for a function. We came here for a couple of drinks and this bar is the perfect place for it. The wine list is nice with a a good amount of options by the glass and a "wine of the month". There's a good selection of craft beer and cocktails also - I had the snickers one which was amazingly delicious. We also tried some wedges which were perfect and crispy. I found the staff really helpful and friendly (although maybe it was because we were mainly served by a bearded bartender and had an equally bearded friend with us!) and they cleared our empty glasses really quickly which was good as we had limited space on our table. My only complaint was that the live music on the night was way too loud, it was much louder than the normal music playing over the speakers and forced us to yell at eachother to have a conversation. Note: They also accept paywave and credit on bar.

Set in the world famous McLaren Vale, the aptly named McLaren Vale Beer Co. is set in a perfect…read morelocation amongst vineyards and between some of the worlds best wineries. Their tap house and kitchen makes delicious gourmet pub foods including wood oven pizzas, burgers and salads. But it is the setting that brings you here. I chose this place for my 25th birthday lunch amidst a wine tour and we were all impressed. The bright, rustic, unique and trendy interior brings a young crowd interested in boutique beers and local wines. The ales are refreshing and not too much and have won numerous awards around the country for taste and design. The wine cellar is small and rustic, but hey - you're here for the beer and the socialising!!

The McLaren Vale Beer company is certainly a favourite of mine to visit while in the region…read morenormally famous for its wines!! They produce around 5 beers - an indian pale ale, dark ale, lager, a new cider and their flagship Vale Ale. They are all very drinkable...and can be sampled in a paddle featuring small measures of them. Also available are the traditional pints, handles and stubbies for takeaway. The food served at cellar door is fantastic, a favourite side is always the Duck Fat Chips.... something very special. They are all reasonably priced for the area. They is plenty of parking here, but on busy periods its gets quickly filled up. There is an ample beer garden with some outdoor seats. A very nice place to visit after a few wines of just on its own!

It's a funny little brewery this one. It's a funny little business…read more They don't do food. Their beer is good, but not great. They are a long way away from anything. It's cold in Goolwa, and it reminds me of bland childhood holidays with my mother standing on hilltops with crossed arms staring wordless and grim into the icy wind, braced against the elements and the powerlessness of childhood. The fit out is nice, I suppose, and there are interesting beer facts plastered around the place which are educational if you're into that kind of thing. And yet I've been there many times. Why would one return to such a place? The Truffles. The Truffles is a "double-chocolate vanilla-bourbon porter" that was brewed by Thor whilst being ceaselessly fellated by a procession of the most physically gifted noblewomen of antiquity. It is the alpha and omega, all things to all men, the product of millennia of evolution and development, the pinnacle of human achievement. Helen of Troy is a cheap slag. The Truffles, in true Steam Exchange fashion, is rarely available on tap, always sold out, and no information exists as to when it is due to reappear. But when it does reappear each year, by jove, go and drink some. The Truffles makes all other shortcomings trivial. The Truffles gets five stars. It may just be as good as Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout.

All aboard! Chugga, chugga, chugga, chugga…read more Set in a large warehouse style shed on the Goolwa marina, smack bang next to where the Steam Ranger docks every couple of hours, this working brewery and bar is worth a day's drive to get to. We walked in and headed straight for the small brewing and bottling facility at the back of the shed (aware we didn't want to look too eager to have a brew or two) for the educational bit first. They had stuff to read on the wall about how beer is brewed and the history of Steam Exchange brewery but it was all a bit too hard to concentrate on when we were bubbling with excitement to try some beer. The bar and ordering process is a tad confusing and service is very limited/not too knowledgeable. Maybe they don't have out-of-towners often? But they didn't really give us any options to do tastings, which beer to start with or anything. However, we eventually found out the following: - 110mL tastings are $2-3 - Schooners & pints are $6-9 There is a list on the bar and it is best to make your way down from Steam, to Indian and Dark Ale and then their specials at the time. And if it is on tap, you must have the truffle beer. You can't get these beers hardly anywhere in Adelaide by the bottle but you definitely can't ever get the truffle beer - as it is always sold out. A huge warning: This place doesn't have ANY food or toilets. You are welcome to bring your own food and needless to say after a tastings we were hoppy little vegemites and I went on the search for food. Don't go to the cafe on the marina, 5 minutes up the hill you can get take away wedges and burgers. 5 stars for the beer 2 stars for the lack of facilities, 4 stars for the atmosphere on a sunny day = 4 stars overall (trust me it does).

I have heard nothing but good things about Ekhinda Wines. We stopped of here at lunch to grab a…read morebite to eat and I was dying to try out the cider and the ginger beer. We ordered the Ploughman's share platter between 3 of us and it was enough. It came with cold sliced meats like salami & ham, chargrilled chorizo, cheese, rocket salad and toasted ciabatta with a spicy tomato relish. The ginger beer is delish!!! Not as sweet as you would expect from a non-alcoholic ginger beer as it has wheaty overtones, but it was one of the best I've tried. And on a warm summers day it went down a treat. Can't wait to go back and stock out on more of the ginger beer. And try out more of the menu items. They all sounded mouthwatering.

Check out the ginger beer and the 50/50!!! An awesome winery/brewery!! This place is great to check…read moreout while on a wine trip or just with a few mates (don't volunteer to drive!!) on any day. While the tasting area is quite small and you will only get 5/6 at the counter we have crammed 20 ppl in before! The staff are very friendly and will tall you all about the wines and brews on offer. The highlight is when you get to the Ginger beer though....it really is something else!! You can buy both wines and the brews by the bottle to take away....of take a sit and admire the views with a pint of Ginger ale from the ice cold tap...or even a glass of wine!! Unfortunately i have never tasted the food here but i have seen dishes bought out and it looks mighty fine.... its on my list!!

I'm not entirely sure whether I can call this place a country pub or an outer suburban pub, but I…read moreguess the atmosphere is sort of a cross between both. Still, I wouldn't necessarily consider this to be any thing all that great. In fact, it was rather disappointing as far as pubs are concerned, though I probably shouldn't be too surprised. Like, yeah, the beer selection was pretty limited, but that was probably to be expected, and the service wasn't particularly great either. Yeah, it really isn't one of those places I'd be returning to in a hurry.

This is one great pub, great value meals, good service and a very clean establishment. Staff bend…read moreover backwards to ensure your looked after, fit for even Mr Trump to come for a non COVID meal

Huge portions, you get your mineys worth and shoooo tasty. Really lovely staff great atmosphere,…read moredefinitely worth visiting and trying their menu.

Very good food, I got recommended this place by my friend and it is the best thing I've ever tried.read more

Great brewpub. My wife and I stopped in for lunch. Pizza and beers were good and the staff was…read morefriendly. The rooftop seating was comfortable with a nice breeze and view.

Open to the public!…read more They have a really cool beer bar, the pirate behind the bar is eager to chat and educate us about beers and the reason behind them having canned beer instead of bottled! All the brewing action happens on site out the back. Try the tasting paddles. They have basic beer snacks available to purchase and filtered water to cleanse your palate between tastes. They also have coffee by common ground roasters and a merchandise area! Come check it out! x