Lion has unveiled the designs for the new Stone & Wood tasting room at the Murwillumbah brewery, forming the centrepiece of a $30m upgrade for the Northern Rivers site.
Since its opening in 2014, the Murwillumbah brewery has provided a home for the majority of the Stone & Wood’s beer production, with the upgrade designed to bring the community brewing philosophy of Stone & Wood to life.
Expected to open before Christmas 2025, the upgrade of the Murwillumbah site will increase brewing capacity and capability, while also providing a tasting room experience and brewery tours that complement the existing Byron Bay tasting room.
Richie Crowe, Lion’s Brewery Network Director, 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.”
Stone & Wood announced the upgrade last year, and with construction currently underway, the brewery is engaging local suppliers and creating jobs, in turn boosting the local economy.
Complementary to the original Stone & Wood brewery in the heart of Byron Bay, design plans incorporate elements of the local region, using red brick to replicate the volcanic soil of the region and locally sourced, durable materials true to the Stone & Wood branding, such as brick, concrete, steel, and local hardwood finished.
Lead Architect, Hayley Pryor, says 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,” she explained.
“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, has congratulated Stone & Wood’s management and staff on their 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. Parliamentary duties prevent me from attending the reveal, but like many others, I look forward to visiting the tasting room for a tipple,” she stated.