Lion has today unveiled the designs for the highly anticipated public Stone & Wood Tasting Room at its brewery in Murwillumbah – a new space designed to bring Stone & Wood’s community brewing philosophy to life in a tasting room experience inclusive of brewery tours.
Slated to open before Christmas 2025, the new Tasting Room is the centrepiece of a $30 million upgrade of the Stone & Wood brewery in Murwillumbah, which will significantly increase the capacity and capability of the site.
The upgrade was first revealed last year and is currently taking place, delivering new opportunities to the Northern Rivers region by creating local jobs, working with nearby suppliers, and boosting the local economy. The new Tasting Room is in addition to and will complement the aesthetic of Stone & Wood’s existing Tasting Room in Byron Bay.
Long time Stone & Wood team member and now Lion’s Brewery Network Director – Richie Crowe, said: “At Stone & Wood, we’ve always believed in the importance of community, and that a brewery should be more than just a place that makes beer. It's about nurturing connections and bringing people together, and our new tasting room in Murwillumbah is designed to bring this community brewing philosophy to life.
“The Tasting Room also creates an exciting opportunity for us to involve our community more deeply in the Stone & Wood journey. By building a space that is welcoming and embodies the spirit of the Northen Rivers, we can share ideas and brewing innovations directly with the locals and visitors who love our beers, fostering a more vibrant community right here at the source.”
The design captures the essence of the Northern Rivers and Murwillumbah, with red brick that echoes the volcanic soil of the region, and locally sourced, durable materials such as brick, concrete, and steel with touches of local hardwood that will create an environment that’s true to Stone & Wood.
Lead Architect, Hayley Pryor, said: “As architects, we strive to create spaces that have a strong sense of place and community, and the Stone & Wood team had a clear vision for how they wanted to bring their community brewing philosophy to life. Our goal was to show that great beer experiences can co-exist with environmental responsibility. Locally sourced materials and trades are prioritised, endemic species are integrated into the landscaping, and time-honoured sustainable practices are woven through the design, making the space feel right at home in Murwillumbah.”
“The result is a Tasting Room that reflects Stone & Wood's commitment to craft, community and sustainability, creating a multi-layered experience where the process of brewing and the patron experience come together in its unique Northern Rivers setting.”
State Member for Lismore and NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery Janelle Saffin MP congratulated Stone & Wood’s management and staff on their exciting plans to enhance the Murwillumbah Brewery. “This upgrade and expansion are a show of confidence in the local economy and in the future prosperity of the Northern Rivers region,” Ms Saffin said. “Parliamentary duties prevent me from attending the reveal, but like many others, I look forward to visiting the tasting room for a tipple.”
The Murwillumbah Tasting Room will be open from before Christmas 2025 from Wednesday to Friday (2pm – 8pm), and Saturday to Sunday (12pm – 8pm).
About Stone & Wood
Stone & Wood, based in the Northern Rivers, is renowned for their dedication to traditional brewing methods and sustainable practices. The brand began in 2008, and being a business with conscience has been our focus since day one. As craft beer has taken off in Australia, Stone & Wood has expanded past our home in Byron Bay, but the vision the founders had when they first sat around the kitchen table dreaming up the original Pacific Ale hasn’t changed. www.stoneandwood.com.au
About Lion
Lion is a leading beverage company headquartered in Sydney, Australia. With origins dating back more than 180 years, Lion is known for its commitment to quality, craftsmanship, community, and sustainability, and recently became Australasia’s first large-scale carbon neutral brewer. Lion is a pioneer in brewing and continues to innovate across a range of adult beverages. Its core beer portfolio includes many locally loved brands in Australia and New Zealand such as XXXX, Little Creatures, James Squire, Stone & Wood, Emerson’s, Speights and Panhead, and a growing craft beer presence in the US, having brought New Belgium and Bell’s Brewery into the fold. Lion also has an enviable portfolio of NZ wine brands, a premium fine wine business in North America, a craft spirits distribution arm in Australia in Vanguard Luxury Brands and Yarra Valley-based Four Pillars Gin. Lion employs close to 4,000 people across its markets.