The Rod and Reel Hotel & Brewery opened the doors to its onsite brewery on 1st December 2024.
We brew seven beers on-site using Bespoke Brewing Solutions equipment. Our microbrewery sits at 99–103 River Street, just 10 minutes from Evans Head and 30 minutes from Ballina Airport. This venue combines fresh beer with family dining and accommodation.
Daniel and Naomi Simpson moved from Springfield on the Central Coast to take over the Hotel lease in October 2006. They were 26 years old and had just travelled through America and Canada. During this trip they loved that every pub had its own local brew which is what led to the idea of opening a micro-brewery at the Woodburn pub.
In late February 2022, the largest flood in the region’s history hit. Water rose 2.5 metres through the hotel. Almost everything was destroyed. The Simpsons felt they owed it to Woodburn to rebuild. They purchased the building in December 2022. They planned a craft brewery that would make the venue a destination.
3.5% pale ale
The baby brother of our pickled pale ale, this beer is the mid‑strength version. Using australian maris otter malt & flavoured with simcoe & citra hops. This beer brings together rich malt profile with the juicy hop flavours of simcoe and citra.
The finish is clean, crisp and being a mid‑strength beer, responsible!
4% lager
On a hot northern rivers day a crisp cold lager is perfect for hitting the spot. Based on corn and pilsner malt with lemongrass saaz hops for that quenching of thirst, this mexican style creation is sure to be a hit!
5.8% golden ale
the first born from our brewery maktanky! The gap rd is a remarkable journey through a stunning stretch of Bandalgong country to a rugged and unforgiving coastline, treasured beaches and favourite camping spots.
A well‑rounded ale that showcases both malty richness and hop complexity. This beer appeals to those who enjoy the journey, malt‑forward backbone, rugged refreshing and flavourful.
3.5% lager
Not quite one for the day? This mid strength lager will get you through.
Australian pilsner malt gives the beer a bright and refreshing flavour, whilst mittelfruh hops enhance the flavour without overwhelming your palate providing a gentle, delicate bitterness and a refined, complex aroma.
4.6% lager
Refined and refreshed Woodburn was founded on the cedar industry. Just like the woodcutters of yesteryear, this lager is strong and balanced. Slip on our summer lager in our beer garden while imagining that time when boats transported cedar logs up and down the Richmond River.
5% pale ale
Have you seen our logo? It’s hard to miss. The piranha has been around the rod’n’reel for a long time and many even feature on the pub’s cash arm. We can’t think of a better way to honour our piranha! Just like its name, this beer is fun and is sure to make you smile. Dry hopped for a burst of new american simcoe. This beer is great for people who enjoy a light ale style beer especially those who like fruity, aromatic beers but still want something clean and refreshing.
4% dark ale
Dark and brown, much like the richmond river. This beer pays homage to the river that has brought us the wonderful natural beauty, like the river this beer is complex, rich and textured. Marris otter, caramalt, and chocolate malt combines to create a beer that’s smooth, bready, and slightly sweet with layers of caramel with hints of coffee.
Enjoy this delicious dark ale, while contemplating the river and all it has been to us!
Our Australian craft brewery is one of the very few hotels in the Northern Rivers that have combined fresh beer, family dining, and kids’ facilities under one roof. We serve lunch from 12pm to 2:30pm every day. Dinner runs from 5:30pm to 8:30pm or 9pm daily. The indoor kids play area is a feature rarely found within an accommodation venue in the Northern Rivers of NSW.
We run a courtesy bus Thursday to Saturday nights. We also run it by arrangement with 24 hours’ notice. This service is popular with locals and travellers who want to enjoy our craft brewery without worrying about the drive home. Our bottle shop stocks all seven of the beers that are brewed on-site. Hotel and Brewery t-shirts and merchandise are also available.
The Rod and Reel Hotel & Brewey Woodburn is family-owned and operated. We provide personal service to each and every guest. Our brewery reflects 18 years of planning and passion. Daniel Simpson designed the brewing system himself. He works with local suppliers to source ingredients. Each batch is brewed fresh on-site.
Our bottle shop is open during hotel hours. It starts at 10:30am daily. Staff can recommend beers based on your taste. You can buy six-packs, micro brewery t shirts, and branded merchandise. Many visitors stock up before heading to Evans Head or other Northern Rivers NSW destinations.
The Northern NSW craft brewery scene has grown rapidly in recent years. We’re proud to contribute fresh, locally brewed beer to the region. Our location on the Pacific Highway makes us a convenient stopover. Road-trippers heading to Evans Head, Ballina, or Byron Bay find us easy to reach. What about heading South – Yamba / Grafton
The Rod and Reel Hotel and Brewery Woodburn offers more than just a local brewery experience. The kids will enjoy our Indoor kids’ play area which is a feature for regional pubs. Parents can relax in or beer garden while children play safely. Our seven-day bistro serves consistent lunch and dinner and the menu includes pub classics and family-friendly meals.
Looking for things to do around Evans Head? Our venue is 10 minutes away. Evans Head offers beaches, fishing, and coastal walks. After a day at the coast, how about you visit our Evans Head pub alternative. We’re the closest local brewery to Evans Head. Our bottle shop lets you take fresh beer back to your accommodation.
Things to do Northern Rivers NSW include visiting local breweries and regional attractions. Woodburn NSW sits at the heart of the Northern Rivers. Our micro-brewery is a perfect base for exploring the region. We offer 10 pub-style motel rooms with free Wi-Fi and TV.
If you have any questions at all, please dont hesitate in giving us a bell!
We brew seven beers on-site: Baby Piranha (3.5% Pale Ale), Cerveza (4% Lager), Gap Rd (5.8% Golden Ale), Goldfish (3.5% Lager), Piranha Lager (4.6%), Pickled Piranha (5% Pale Ale), and Richmond River (4% Dark Ale). All are available on tap and in our bottle shop.
Yes, our craft brewery welcomes families. We have a beer garden with a kids’ climbing wall, one of the few in Northern Rivers NSW. The bistro serves kid-friendly meals seven days a week. Parents can enjoy locally brewed beer while children play safely.
Our craft brewery is at 99–103 River Street, Woodburn NSW. We’re 10 minutes from Evans Head, 30 minutes from Ballina Airport, and 45 minutes from Byron Bay. Parking is available on-site. Take the Pacific Highway to reach us easily.
Yes, our bottle shop stocks all seven beers brewed on-site. You can buy take away beer, micro brewery t shirts, and branded merchandise. The bottle shop is open during hotel hours, starting at 10:30am daily. Staff can recommend beers based on your taste.
The hotel opens at 10:30am daily. Bistro lunch is 12pm to 2:30pm, and dinner is 5:30pm to 8:30pm or 9pm every day. The beer garden is available all day. Our courtesy bus runs Thursday to Saturday nights and by arrangement with 24 hours’ notice.