Seven Mile Brewing Co

Seven Mile Brewing Co is a family-owned craft brewery at 188-202 Southern Cross Drive in Ballina, right beside Ballina Byron Gateway Airport on the Northern Rivers. The warehouse taproom opens from noon Thursday to Sunday, and dogs settle in with you across the outdoor and undercover areas.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome on lead in the open-air warehouse space and outdoor areas, and water bowls are usually around, though packing your own is the safe bet. The one caveat is noise: the taproom sits next to the airport runway, so passing planes and traffic are part of the soundtrack, and a sound-sensitive dog may not love it. Calm, well-behaved dogs fit the working-brewery mood.

Max: the planes are real but they pass quickly. If your dog startles, take a table at the far end from the runway side and let the paddle do the distracting.

The vibe

The beer is brewed on site from local grain, with a range that leans West Coast IPAs and pale ales plus the popular Cali Cream, ginger beer for the non-beer crew, and tasting paddles or flights to cover the list. Friday to Sunday a rotating roster of food trucks handles the food, and arcade games and occasional live music fill the warehouse. Disabled access and parking are on site.

Getting there

Southern Cross Drive runs off the Pacific Highway side of Ballina near the airport, about ten minutes from the town centre and 25 minutes from Byron Bay. There is ample parking around the building, so arrival is simple.

While you are out there

Work off a pint at the Kingsford Smith dog park or the Missingham Park Off Leash Area in town, and the Seven Mile Beach Dog Beach at Lennox Head is a short drive north for a swim. If you want a second round elsewhere, the Westower Tavern covers West Ballina.

More options are on the NSW dog friendly pubs guide and the Ballina destination page.