Hepburn Springs Brewing Co

Hepburn Springs Brewing Co on Forest Ave pours both beer and gin, and the dog policy is built around the parts of the venue that matter in this weather: the outdoor garden and lawn areas, where dogs are welcome and water bowls are provided. The indoor taproom situation varies, so treat the garden as the dog zone and the trip works cleanly.

The dog setup

Set your dog up on the lawn or in the garden, lead on, and the venue handles the rest with bowls and a relaxed outdoor crowd. Because indoor taproom rules vary, ask staff before assuming your dog can join you under cover on a cold day, and pick a mild afternoon for the visit if your dog is happier in open air. The balcony is a favoured perch for the human side, with kookaburras regulars in the trees around the property.

The paddle is the move here, and unusually you can do it two ways: a beer paddle or a gin paddle, since the venue distils as well as brews. Hours run from midday, with the venue open Mondays and Fridays to Sundays and closed Tuesdays to Thursdays, so plan the dog friendly session for the end of the week or the weekend, when the garden is in full swing.

Close by with the dogs

Hepburn Springs and Daylesford sit minutes apart, which makes this an easy double header. The Tipperary Spring via Blowhole Circuit gives your dog a proper leashed bushwalk before the paddles arrive, and the Three Lost Children Walk is the shorter forest option closer to Daylesford. For dinner in town, The Farmers Arms has a dog friendly setup, and the Daylesford destination guide covers the wider area. More VIC dog friendly cafes are listed if the spa country run extends.

Check the brewery's site for current hours and event days before you drive out, keep your dog in the garden and lawn areas, and try the gin paddle even if you came for the beer.