Skip to main content

Launceston is Tasmania’s second city and, depending on who you ask, they begrudgingly accept the fact that Hobart is the state’s capital and first city. The rivalry extends even to the best beer. Northern Tassie’s swear by Boag Beer while the Southerners will tell you it’s Cascade Beer all the way. It’s the “great beer debate” or the “great north-south divide” but either way, they are both excellent beers and all the rest of Australia reaps the benefits.

In February 2018, I took the James Boag Brewery Tour in Launceston at 39 William Street.

James Boag Brewery Experience wall-hanger - image taken by DaniLew LLC with a Nikon D500 and Nikon 16-80 lens

As we walked through the in-house museum, we were treated to the sometimes hilarious history of James Boag and his son establishing the brewery in 1881 and how it had remained in the family for one hundred years.

At the end of tour, you are presented with your choice of a glass of James Boag beer (Premium Lager, XXX Ale, Draught or Wizard Smith’s Ale) or a glass of Tasmanian wine if your palate is not pleased with hops) and a small selection of Tasmanian cheese (Brie and Blue Cheese) and grapes.

Bartender at James Boag Brewery in-house bar pouring a beer on tap - image taken by DaniLew LLC with a Nikon D500 and Nikon 16-80 lens

I chose the XXX Ale and I loved the taste.

James Boag's XXX Ale in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia - image taken by DaniLew LLC with a Nikon D500 and Nikon 16-80 lens

In fact, all along my 3-month tour of Australia and New Zealand, I would often choose the XXX Ale with my dinner.

Note: A visit to the active brewery across the street is only available on weekdays.

Advertisements
Travel Insurance by InsureMyTrip Briggs & Riley Sympatico Collection New Colors
Dani Lew

DaniLew is a podcaster and a retired nomad who loves to slow travel around the world and share her travel stories and personal photography.The Slow Traveling Soul Sister podcast is all about me and my travels around the world for the last 40 years as a solo black woman, My motto: travel nourishes the soul and broadens the mind, but solo travel frees our imagination and builds our Confidence. #slowtravelingsoulsister #GoSeeDoBe

What's on your mind?

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.