Award-winning late disgorge cider, craft gin cocktails and beers from the largest independently owned farm-based brewery on Australia’s eastern seaboard; there’s a lot to love about Orange’s brewery and distillery scene.

Orange’s food and drink scene is booming. And while the regional city’s wineries and restaurants have long since stolen the show, there’s a new wave of independent breweries and distilleries now demanding attention from you and your palette.

Here are five of the best to swing by if you’re visiting this scenic corner of the Central West.

1. Badlands Brewery

Not your average cellar door, the award-winning Badlands Brewery was Orange’s first brewery, opening in 2010. Producing ‘dangerously drinkable’ beers that are unfiltered and free of preservatives, all of Badlands’ brews are hand-crafted, 1000 litres at a time, without additives such as corn, rice or cane sugar.

While the brewery’s focus lies squarely on traditional beer styles (pilseners, IPAs) they do dabble in the art of less conventional flavours, too, (hello chocolate, rum and vanilla-spiced porter) and release 15-20 new beers per year.

Head into the Taproom and join a 45-minute brewery tour that shows you where all the behind-the-scenes magic happens (with two beers included). Or order a tasting paddle to sample any four beers.

Address: 153 Summer St, Orange

2. Gracie’s at 4 Pines Brewing Co

The iconic 4 Pines Brewing Co was born in Manly and has grown its empire with the opening of Gracie’s at 4 Pines. Before partnering with 4 Pines Brewing Co, Gracie’s was a well-known and loved burger joint, but what better to pair with a burger than an ice-cold pint?

With eight taps of 4 Pines beers available including the Pacific Ale and Hazy Pale Ale, a burger menu to die for and some seriously addictive shakes, Gracie’s is a must-stop on your Orange itinerary.

There’s something on all the time at Gracie’s, from live music every Friday and Thursday night musical bingo to Wing it Wednesday with bottomless wings, fries and live music for $35.

Address: 20 Sale St, Orange

3. Parrot Distilling Co.

With a plum perch right in the centre of town, Parrot Distilling Co. is a relative newcomer to the Orange scene, having opened its doors to the public in 2018. The distillery’s cellar door, known as The Aviary, is housed within a converted brick warehouse, and among the more vibrantly decorated watering holes in town (think orange neon script signage and an artificial vertical garden).

Sample a selection of this local outfit’s classic gins in the House Tasting Board for $25. Non-purists might prefer to sample a ‘gintail’ instead; expect classics with a twist, such as the ‘Ginspresso’, Parrot’s take on an espresso martini, or try a ‘Foragers Negroni’ if that’s more your vibe.

Satiate appetites piqued by the strong spirits with one of the house pizzas served straight out of the wood-fired pizza oven at Parrot Pizzeria in The Aviary.

Address: 66 Endsleigh Ave, Orange

4. Small Acres Cyder

Before Orange made its name as a renowned wine region, the vineyards you see now were largely filled with apple and cherry orchards. And while many of the orchards have now transformed into vineyards, you’ll still find plenty of them scattered around the region.

Multi-award-winning Small Acres Cyder is located right in the heart of apple and wine country, the perfect place for producing premium ciders and perrys (made from pears).

Made using traditional methods of authentic cider production, there are no shortcuts here. Rather, you’ll find a local institution that takes cider as seriously as winemakers take their wine. Even the bottles themselves signal respect for the craft, with wine bottles used for many of the varietals, as is so often the case with French cider.

Take a tasting at the cidery’s cellar door, in tiny Borenore, and compare the sparkling and still varieties. If you’re a non-drinker, designated driver or are bringing the kids along, there’s a non-alcoholic tasting available too with delicious zero-alcohol apple and cherry, and apple and pear ciders to try.

Address: 12 Akhurst Rd, Borenore

5. Jones & Smith Distillery

A family-owned craft distillery in Lucknow, Jones & Smith is home to a small but perfectly formed range of spirits.

The distillery’s gin range branded ‘epoch’ includes their signature dry gin, sloe gin, cherry gin and navy strength gin. If gin isn’t your thing, Jones & Smith also makes single-malt whisky. Try its first-release whisky collection for something special.

Head to the cellar door and bar for a gin or whisky tasting session and linger a while sampling the seasonal menu at the onsite restaurant. In winter, get cosy by the fireplace with a whisky in hand. Come summer, the sunny beer garden is the perfect spot to sip your way through the gin range.

Address: 4617 Mitchell Hwy, Lucknow

This article was originally written by Chloe Cann with updates by Emily Murphy.