TASTING NOTES

Northern Rivers Beer

Introducing you to the Northern Rivers Beer, our take on a Northern Rivers Lager. Taking inspiration from the region surrounding us and the people within. At 4.0% ABV this beer is the perfect drop to wet the whistle. A bright, crisp beer that’s easy to drink and have yarn over. And the best part of this local brew, other than its taste, is that it’s made from at least 70% Certified Sustainable malt and 100% Certified Sustainable hops, crops that take things easier on the soil and water they're produced from. Northern Rivers Beer has a subtle malt flavour and low bitterness and to put it bluntly: it’s a beer that is simply good to drink, with no fuss.

What makes this lager different?

A beer that gives back to the community: Community has always been at the heart of our mission. We strive to forge meaningful connections by collaborating with kindred businesses and organisations in our area. NRB is another avenue through which we can achieve this. Since 2018, we’ve contributed $2.1 million to local grassroots, environmental and social charities, both near and far, all through the Ingrained Foundation. For every 100 litres of beer sold from our portfolio, Stone & Wood donates $1, and NRB will proudly continue this tradition. 

70% certified sustainable malt

To date, Northern Rivers Beer is the most sustainable and green beer we’ve made: This beer is made using at least 70% regenerative malt. sourced from our friends at Voyager Malt in Whitton, NSW.

Through an independent verifier called Certified Sustainable, the farmers we get our malt and grains from are held to a higher standard, verifying real environment, social and governance achievements. Think more sustainable practices like using less water, looking after the soil these plants are grown in, the runoff from these areas and using less energy overall.

100% CERTIFIED SUSTAINABLE HOPS

We're also very proud to announce that we are using 100% Certified Sustainable hops in NRB sourced from our friends at Ryefield Hops, a family owned and run business in Bemboka, NSW.

Ryefield use farming methods to promote and build healthy soils, biodiversity, natural predators and enhanced water quality and retention.

Ryefield Hops are also accredited by Independent verifier, Certified Sustainable.

  • Save the date: Festival of the Stone 2026

    Music and beer lovers of Byron and beyond, mark your calendars! 🍻

    We’re thrilled to share that Festival of the Stone is returning for its 12th year, welcoming everyone back to the brewery for a winter celebration filled with great music, good company and the age-old tradition of stone brewing.

    Taking place on Saturday 20 June from 3pm to 10pm at our brewery in Byron Bay, this much-loved festival marks the ceremonial tapping of our annual Stone Beer, brewed using glowing hot stones in homage to ancient brewing methods.

    Each year, a month before the festival, our brewing team and local community gather for Stone Brew Day — a ceremonial moment where stones are heated over a woodfire before being lowered into the kettle. The result? Rich, smoky flavours that make Stone Beer so distinctive and so eagerly awaited.

    After another hugely successful event in 2025, Festival of the Stone 2026 is shaping up to deliver another unforgettable day of top-notch Australian talent, freshly poured brews and delicious bites from local food vendors.

    And as always, it’s all for a great cause.

    The latest NSW Street Count figures show Byron Shire continues to face one of the highest rates of rough sleeping in the state, with 291 people recorded sleeping rough in 2025 — second only to the City of Sydney. In response, Festival of the Stone 2026 will once again proudly support Fletcher Street Cottage through the Ingrained Foundation, helping raise vital funds for essential services, advocacy and practical support for people experiencing homelessness across the Northern Rivers.

    Festival of the Stone 2026 is set to be one of winter’s must-attend events — all for a worthy cause. Save the date, book your leave and keep an eye on our website and socials for lineup reveals and ticket releases.

    FESTIVAL OF THE STONE
    Saturday 20 June, 2026
    Stone & Wood Brewery
    100 Centennial Cct, Byron Bay

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    Save the date: Festival of the Stone 2026

    Music | Community | Tradition

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  • A Long Weekend, The Stone & Wood Way

    There’s something about a long weekend that slows the pulse of the country. Friday knock-off comes a little earlier. The esky gets dusted off. Someone messages the group chat with “road trip?” and suddenly the weekend’s got a rhythm of its own.

    That’s where we like to live, in those in-between moments. Barefoot afternoons. Shared tables. The sound of ice cracking in an esky and a beer being passed from hand to hand before you’ve even had a chance to sit down.

    Because at the end of the day, that’s what we’re about. Good beer. Good people. And making the most of the time you’ve got.

    Born From Place, Brewed For Everywhere

    Here at Stone & Wood, we’re proudly Australian to our core. Raised in the Northern Rivers, shaped by salt air, river swims and long afternoons that blur into evenings. That sense of place still runs through everything we do, the way we brew, the way we gather, the way we show up for our community.

    These days, we brew Australia-wide, bringing the same care, curiosity and craftsmanship to every batch, no matter where it’s made. Different towns, same approach: take your time, do it properly, and don’t lose sight of why you started in the first place.

    It means wherever you are, coastal, country or somewhere in between, there’s a Stone & Wood within arm’s reach, ready for whatever the weekend throws up.

    Beer For The Moments That Matter

    Long weekends don’t need much planning. They just need room to breathe.

    Maybe it’s a Friday arvo catch-up at the local, sun slanting through the windows as the first Pacific Ale hits the table, that familiar hit of citrus and haze that tastes like summer no matter the season. Maybe it’s a backyard barbecue where someone inevitably burns the snags, and no one really minds, because there’s a cold Easy Pale Ale in hand and plenty more chilling nearby.

    Or maybe it’s a camping trip. Early swims, sandy feet, and a couple of Citrus or Peach Radlers cracked open as the sky starts to soften in the late afternoon. Clean, crisp, easygoing, beers that don’t demand attention, but always earn it.

    Our beers are brewed for those moments, the ones you don’t rush, the ones you remember. Balanced, approachable, and made to sit comfortably in your hand while the conversation does the heavy lifting.

    Because the best beers don’t shout. They just belong.

    A Few Ways To Spend a Long Weekend

    There’s no single way to do a long weekend, and that’s kind of the beauty of it. Busy or slow, planned or improvised, the best ones tend to unfold naturally.

    Get Outside

    Head for the coast, the bush, the river, anywhere that reminds you why weekends exist in the first place. A morning walk, a swim you didn’t plan on, a late lunch eaten in the sun. Simple stuff, done well.

    Gather Without The Fuss

    A long weekend is an open invitation to host. Fire up the barbie, pull a few chairs together, and let the afternoon take its time. Stock the fridge with a mix of favourites, put some tunes on, and see who turns up. No schedules, no pressure.

    Back Your Locals

    Start the day with a coffee from the place that knows your order. Grab lunch at the pub down the road. Pop into the bottle shop, bakery or market stall you’ve been meaning to try. Long weekends are a good reminder that the places we love stick around because we keep showing up.

    Kick Your Feet Up And Relax

    Underrated, but highly recommended. A book you’ve been halfway through for months. A nap that wasn’t planned. A quiet afternoon with a cold beer, feet up, and nowhere else to be.

    However you spend it, the aim’s the same: slow down enough to enjoy it.

    The Little Things That Come Along For The Ride

    Every long weekend has its unofficial essentials. A reliable esky. A glass that feels right in your hand.

    Sometimes it’s our branded glassware clinking together at a shared table. Sometimes it’s a Stone & Wood cap or tee pulled on for a morning coffee run after a big night. Sometimes it’s a gift pack turning up just in time for a host who swore they didn’t want anything.

    They’re not the reason you gather, but they tend to be there when you do.

    Community, Always

    We’ve always believed beer tastes better when it brings people together. Around tables. Around fires. Around ideas worth backing.

    From day one, community has been the backbone. The neighbours who pop in. The venues that pour our beers. The locals who turn up with stories, opinions and an open seat at the table.

    Brewing Australia-wide means being part of more communities, listening to more stories, finding more ways to give back where we can and being on tap in more pubs and bottle shops. It also means long weekends look a little different everywhere, a pub lunch in one town, a surf club barbecue in another, but the feeling stays the same.

    Pull up a chair. You’re welcome here.

    Looking After The Place We Love

    We spend a lot of time outdoors, and we reckon that comes with a responsibility.

    We’re committed to leaving the Earth in a better place than we found it. That means making thoughtful choices, constantly improving how we brew, and backing initiatives that help protect the environments we all enjoy on our days off.

    It’s not about perfection. It’s about progress. About caring enough to keep asking, “How can we do this better?” so future long weekends still look like swims in clean rivers, shady spots under old trees, and cold beers enjoyed outside with people you love.

    No Plans Are The Best Plans

    If there’s one thing we’ve learnt, it’s that the best weekends rarely stick to a schedule.

    They unfold slowly. A second beer turns into dinner. Someone pulls another Pacific Ale from the esky just as the sun dips. A quick hello turns into a long conversation. Someone brings out a guitar they probably shouldn’t be allowed to play, and somehow it still works.

    That’s the magic of a long weekend. The permission to linger. To reconnect. To remember that sometimes the simplest things are the best things.

    So wherever you’re spending this one, at home, on the road, by the water or at your local, we’ll raise a glass to it.

    Here’s to good beer, brewed across Australia.
    Here’s to community, wherever you find it.
    And here’s to long weekends done right.

    Cheers 🍻

    Reading times: 2 mins

    A Long Weekend, The Stone & Wood Way

    There’s something about a long weekend that slows the pulse of the country. Friday knock-off comes a little earlier. The esky gets dusted off. Someone messages the group chat with...

    Read story
  • Rainy Day Things To Do in Brisbane

    When the skies over Brissy crack open and the rain starts rolling in sideways, the day doesn’t have to be a write-off. In true Queensland style, we’re all about making the most of what we’ve got, even if what we’ve got is a soggy forecast and wet thongs by the door.

    Whether you're chasing indoor activities Brisbane locals actually rate, or you just need a few rainy-day activities to keep spirits high, there are plenty of ways to turn a grey day into a good one. From cruisy long lunches to craft beer refuge, here are our favourite things to do in Brisbane on a rainy day.

    Head to the Galleries or Museums for a Cultural Fix

    Image courtesy of Queensland.com

    Brissy’s arts scene plays beautifully in the rain. The Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) and its neighbour Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) in South Bank offer sweeping exhibitions, from contemporary to traditional, that make for a perfect indoor escape.

    Prefer something more local and low-key? The Museum of Brisbane inside City Hall is a solid pick, with free guided tours, exhibitions from local artists, and a lovely clock-tower to explore. 

    Whether you’re after thoughtful artworks or some quiet time with history and culture, this kind of indoor activity makes a rainy day feel like it was always meant to be art-filled.

    Catch a Flick, a Show, Or Just Hide from the Rain for a Bit

    Image courtesy of Concrete Playground

    If you’d rather sit back than stroll around, movie cinemas and theatre venues offer a reliably good time when it’s chucking down. 

    On the city side, you might hang out at Strike Bowling Bar or Holey Moley Golf Club (both undercover and offering a mix of fun and cocktails), they’re solid options for a group wanting something a bit cheeky yet stress-free. 

    If you’re leaning more artsy: keep an eye on the listings at Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), stage shows, theatre, live music, there’s usually something on, even when the sky’s dumping. 

    Grab Comfort Food or Hide Out in a Café or Bookshop

    Image courtesy of Queensland.com

    Rainy afternoons and cosy eats go hand in hand. There are plenty of intimate cafés, diners and restaurants in The City that make for excellent hide-outs when the weather’s gloomy. For example, taking a seat with good food and a hot drink, or even better, a smooth beer from your fridge, has a simple charm that never gets old. 

    If you’re feeling a little quieter, wandering through a bookstore or the local library can be just as lovely. Brisbane’s got those hidden cosy corners for exactly that kind of day. 

    Try Something a Bit Different: Bowling, Mini-Golf, Escape Rooms & Indoor Games

    Image courtesy of Concrete Playground

    Sometimes the call of boredom is loud, and Brisbane’s indoor-activity scene has the answer. Venues like Strike Bowling Bar or Holey Moley (as above) give you bowling, mini-golf or games under cover. 

    If you’re after a bit more excitement, climbing gyms, immersive escape rooms, even indoor skydiving or VR gaming, there are plenty of spots around town that turn a wet Saturday into an adventure day. 

    It’s a great reminder: just because it rains, doesn’t mean the fun stops, sometimes it just changes shape.

    End (or Start) the Day with a Long Lunch, Dinner or Drinks with Friends

    Image courtesy of Hidden City Secrets

    Rainy days can be slow-paced, moody, and, honestly, perfect for indulging a little. A long lunch or dinner at a comfy restaurant, or a few beers at a nearby bar, feels especially comforting when the sky is grey and the rain’s singing on the windows.

    Whether you’re with mates or flying solo, wrap yourself in good food, good company, and good beer. Hell, that’s a rainy-day ritual we can get behind any day.

    So Next Time the Clouds Roll In, Don’t Cancel the Day, Just Change the Plan

    We reckon rainy days can be just as memorable as sunny ones, if you know where to head. Whether you're wandering galleries, catching live music, throwing axes, sipping brews or curling up with a book, Brisbane’s indoor scene has something for every mood.

    Reading times: 2 mins

    Rainy Day Things To Do in Brisbane

    Discover the best rainy-day things to do in Brisbane. From cosy cafés to galleries and brewery sessions, explore top indoor activities Brisbane locals love.

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