Beverage company Lion has unveiled the designs for the 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.
The Stone & Wood brand was founded in 2008 in the Northern Rivers area, becoming a massive success due to its dedication to traditional brewing methods and sustainable practices. The company was acquired by Lion in 2021, but aims to maintain its community brewing philosophy.
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 underway, 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 Stone & Wood’s existing Tasting Room in Byron Bay.
Lion’s brewery network director and long-time Stone & Wood team member, Richie Crowe, said the brand has 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,” said Crowe.
“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 Northern 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 aims to capture the essence of the Northern Rivers and Murwillumbah, with red brick that echoes the volcanic soil of the region, and locally sourced, durable materials with touches of local hardwood that will create an environment that’s true to Stone & Wood.
The Murwillumbah Tasting Room will be opening before Christmas 2025, with an intended schedule of 2-8pm from Wednesday to Friday, and 12-8pm on Saturday and Sunday.
