Brewery Radar: December 2022

TheBintani Brewery Radar keeps the brewing industry up to date with the progress of planned breweries and brewpubs in Australia, where they are in their development process, the installation of brewhouses, proposed opening dates and closures of existing breweries. This edition has tracked 11 openings, five expansions and one closure.

Find out where new breweries are opening in your state:

Western Australia
South Australia
New South Wales
Victoria
Queensland
Australian Capital Territory

If you haven’t seen your brewery on recent editions of theBrewery Radar, get in touch with us – radar@brewsnews.com.au.

PHat Brew Club in Success is continuing construction and has moved its tanks into the brewery.

Batavia Brewing has opened its brewery and café in Geraldton, WA.

Little Blessings Brewery in Laura is steadily being renovated as it looks towards an anticipated opening date in Spring 2023.

Founders Cat and Craig Blesing said that while a lot needs to be done, they are looking forward to the progress being made over the next few months.

“We are excited about our project. It’s a big job renovating an almost 150-year-old church but we’re loving creating something that will also be the first Church Brewpub in Australia,” they said.

“Our brew shed goes up next week behind the Church so it’s beginning to all take shape.

“The Church is also getting a new roof. Next up, painting. With such high ceilings it will be a challenge! We are about to order our Tonsen 600L brew kit.”

The Suburban Brew has opened a new 2000-litre brewery in Glynde, with a capacity for 200 patrons.

Wombat Brewery is set to open at 1/3 unit 6 Coller Road, Ulladulla, NSW with the build slowly coming together.

In Tweed Heads, Hoppers Brewing Co. is looking to start its build early next year, according to co-founder Tyler Wood.

“We received our Development Approval (DA) from Tweed Shire Council recently so it’s now full steam ahead working with our designer and certifier to get all the documents ready for submission for our building certificate.

“Once this has been obtained, we can move on towards the build in which we hope to be breaking ground early into the New Year.”

Drink West Australia is set to open its new brewery at 2115 Castlereagh Rd, Penrith NSW. The company is currently looking for bartenders to join its team.

Quantum Brewery in the Moruya Artisan Factory is slowly coming together having fitted out its taps and brewkit.

In early November, Akasha Brewing Co. officially opened its barrel room in Leichhardt. The Barrel Room is open Wednesdays through Sundays.

The Thirsty Devil Brewery opened its brewery and taproom in South Albury, on the Victoria and New South Wales border.

Good Folk Brewing has opened in Newcastle after a year in development.

Brewmanity’s new site has the steepwork up and is looking to start commissioning of the brewery in March, with the view to open in mid to late April next year.

The brewkit is a 12 hL system from Bespoke Brewing Solutions.

Smiley Brewing has continued progressing, with the building permit coming through at the end of November.

The brewkit is due to ship before Christmas for arrival in mid January.

“At this stage we are thinking end of April/Early May opening provided we don’t come across any further road blocks!” explained director Trent Butcher.

St Andrews Beach Brewery has announced it will open a second location in partnership with Melbourne & Olympic Parks.

The new venue is set to open in Winter 2023 and will include its own commercial brewery, according to a blog post by the company.

Moon Dog Craft Brewery is set to open a new brewery in Footscray’s Franco Cozzo building, per The Age.

The business is proposing to build a multi-level brewery with live music, a rooftop bar, a playground and capacity for 900 people.

Maffco Brewery and Taphouse is set to open on Sunday, 18th December in an old milk factory in Maffra.

Lost Watering Hole has opened in Lancefield, Victoria.

Plans have been submitted for a new microbrewery at 4 Turner Street in Beerwah.

The proposal states that the works will involve re-use of the existing rear building, and will appeal to the Sunshine Coast’s focus on breweries and live entertainment.

“On 28 January 2020, Sunshine Coast Regional Council amended its planning scheme to facilitate and support the live music industry and promote a vibrant day and night-time economy in major centres and tourist areas. This included allowing for micro-breweries to be permitted in major centre zones, ” the proposal stated.

“The Sunshine Coast Council’s Economic Development Branch supports local business investment and promotes micro-breweries as the latest innovation in local niche artisan “Farm to Fork” produce.

New brewery Future Magic Brewing Co. is close to opening as it aims for a mid-late December opening date.

“We’re nearly ready to open as we’re in the final stages of our venue build and waiting on a few final approvals,” Creative Director Rhys Pike said.

“We will be screaming from the rooftops once we’ve got an exact date under our belt, so keep your eyes peeled on our website and socials.”

“Navigating the jigsaw puzzle of getting licenses, approvals and organising trades whilst listening to conflicting opinions on the same topic from different authorities and consultants has been both a challenge and a valuable learning experience.”

Hiker Brewing Concern is a new brewery set to open in Brisbane’s suburb of Salisbury.

Founded by Daniel Venema and Phil Sharp, the brewery will have a 10hL, three-vessel brewhouse with five 10hL fermenters from Brewtique. WellBrewd acted as consultants, providing assistance with design improvements.

While its founders are looking forward to a potential opening date in January 2023, the journey has not been linear, according to Daniel Venema.

“The major challenge for us has been the development application process with Brisbane City Council [BCC],” he said.

“We lodged our application on 1st April and we would have been ready to open sometime in October, but unfortunately we are still awaiting a decision from BCC.

“It’s been a stressful time with lots of unnecessary delays, meaning that we have basically run out of money in the meantime.

“On a positive note however, we have been blown away by the support of our friends, family, and other legends in the local industry!”

Crimson Finch Brewery is a new brewery set to open in Yeppoon next year.

While it has found a location, the business is facing some uncertainty, according to a blog post.

“Everything that needed to be done from our end has been done, but the final decision rests in someone’s hands at the moment,” the post read.

“We do hope that we will have a positive answer by Christmas or early next year at the very latest.

“Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do to speed up the process, so we have to go with the flow and wait and see at this stage.”

Sobah Beverages site in Burleigh Heads is slowly coming together with the walls and roof now built. The brewery fit-out won’t commence until February 2023, with a potential mid-year opening date.

Big Rocks Brewing is a new brewery founded by Jess and Ben Kirby, and is set to launch at 304 Quay Street in Rockhampton’s CBD, directly opposite the Fitzroy river.

“We are at fairly early stages at this point in time, with our development application to be submitted in the next week or two,” Ben Kirby said.

“Once we get the nod of approval, we are purchasing a 500L system with 1000L fermenters and brite tanks.

“We would love to be open by mid-year but were happy to take our time to get the fit out right the first time around. The brewery will also operate as a pizzeria and offer live music.”

Hip Hop Brewers in Brendale is not open yet and is continuing construction.

Your Mates Brewing Co. has opened its new facility next door at 43 Technology Drive in Warana.

Burleigh Barrels, which opened six months ago, has announced a new 400 litre brew site, down the road from its main brewery and taphouse. The new facility will be the business’ main hub as it looks towards wholesale and distribution.

A new microbrewery, dubbed as Two Dogs Microbrewery, has opened in the refurbished Jubilee Hotel, per The Weekend Edition.

In Gladstone, Ward’s Brewing opened in late November.

Blackflag Brewing opened its taproom and production brewery in Coolum, in addition to launching an equity crowdfunding campaign.

In late October, Straddie Brewing Co. opened on the tourist island of Minjerribah in Queensland.

In November, Archer Brewing opened its brewery in Newmarket.

Bribie Island Brewing has closed its brewery.