Hemingway’s Brewery founders Tony Fyfe and Craig Parsell

Construction of Hemingway’s Brewery Cairns has commenced, with the city’s newest waterfront icon beginning to take shape at Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal’s Shed 2 overlooking Trinity Outlet.

Located at Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal’s heritage-listed site, the highly anticipated new venue will incorporate a state-of-the-art brewery with 10 times the capacity of Hemingway’s original venture at Port Douglas.

The multimillion dollar development at Cairns Wharf’s restored Shed 2 spans 1400sq m and will comprise a gastro brewpub and extensive events space in addition to the impressive brewery, which will house seven, 7000 litre fermentation tanks.

Innisfail contractor Mike O’Farrell is leading the build of the contemporary venue, to be operated under a 10-year lease agreement between Ports North and Hemingway’s Brewery founders Tony Fyfe and Craig Parsell.

The world-class venue’s exterior and interior design was jointly undertaken by Wolveridge and Total Project Group, and will feature breathtaking architecture reflecting the site’s historic status while integrating a cutting-edge Canadian-manufactured brewing system that will dramatically define the space with its working line-up of 6m high stainless-steel tanks.

Alongside the commercial grade brewery, which will also offer informative tours, Hemingway’s Cairns will include a 19m bar and full-service kitchen with capacity for casual and fine dining as well as functions of all sizes.

The venue’s restaurant will serve quality gastro pub-style food made from locally sourced ingredients, while a providore will showcase FNQ craft produce and a dedicated event space will cater for the MICE industry and weddings.

Mr Fyfe said the opening of Hemingway’s Brewery Cairns would provide an enticing tourism drawcard as the region’s economy experienced a renewed spike in both domestic and international visitation, while also catering to locals through its focus on investing in the community.

“Like Hemingway’s Brewery in Port Douglas, we are creating a special place that will be embraced by both locals and visitors who appreciate the character and authenticity of a brewery with its roots firmly planted in Far North Queensland,” Mr Fyfe said.

“Hemingway’s Brewery aims to build and operate the best gastro brew pubs in the country with a focus on brewing great craft beer, which is becoming increasingly popular as people discover the amazing taste of a beverage that is unfiltered, unpasteurised and preservative-free; made with just four key ingredients – yeast, hops, base malts and water.”

“When completed, our state-of-the-art brewery in Cairns will be like nothing ever seen before in the region, boasting an incredible capacity to brew a wide selection of high quality, fresh craft beers, produced in small batches for optimum purity and brewed by locals, for the locals.”

Mr Fyfe said additional core range beers were currently being developed exclusively for the Cairns opening.

Each of the Hemingway’s Brewery award-winning beers tells a story relating to the history of FNQ.

Hemingway’s top selling pilsner, The Prospector Pilsner, is a refreshing brew inspired by the thirst for adventure and tireless efforts of James Venture Mulligan – the first to find gold in the Palmer River.

A total of 56 craft beer and cider taps will be available at the new brewery, with a further 50 boutique packaged, craft beers also available.

Since launching in July last year, Hemingway’s Brewery in Port Douglas has become one of the town’s most popular venues, sought out by locals and visitors for its inherently authentic ambience and picturesque marina location.

Patrons enjoy a range of bespoke craft beers made on the premises along with a ‘paddock to plate’ inspired menu and ‘Upstairs’ event space.

Mr Fyfe said Hemingway’s winning combination of great beer and great food in a great location was underpinned by the company’s core values prioritising the local community.

The venue is expected to open mid 2018 and will create more than 100 new jobs in the region.

Mr Scadding said the eight-metre heritage ceilings and vast floor space that Hemingway’s Brewery will occupy allows great diversity and flexibility in terms of event planning, management and theming possibilities with capacity for over 1,000 people.

“It’s fantastic to work with owners who have a passion, not just for creating memorable events, but also crafting great beer,” he said.

Brewery openings are presented bySpark Breweries and Distilleries, the finest in-venue and production brewing systems available, with local design and support.

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