Ale and hearty: Backyard brewers hope to double production after moving to bigger premises
RAISE a glass to the Little Bang Brewing Co — the one-time hobby brewery has moved out of the garage and into another bigger space where it aims to keep business booming.
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IT all started with a simple pot bubbling on a suburban kitchen stove for amateur brewer Ryan Davidson.
Now, that hobby has grown into a full-time occupation, and then some, as his Little Bang microbrewery outgrows its second home.
The brewing journey started about five years ago when Mr Davidson, 41, of Parkside, was one of the few craft beer salesmen in Adelaide.
He teamed up with friend and refrigeration mechanic Filip Kemp, 39, of Glynde, and Little Bang was born.
“We met nicely, intellectually,” Mr Davidson says.
Pretty soon, Mr Kemp’s garage was too small for the burgeoning trade as the “hobby quickly got its legs”, demand increased and a hard decision had to be made.
“It was a pleasing response, but it was a serious decision to either stop or get a proper space for it,” Mr Davidson says. “We had to double down or leave it.”
Opting to forge on, they first had to convince their wives.
Presenting them with spreadsheets charting the financial path ahead, Little Bang got the final, female seal of approval.
The pair opened a simple production facility in Union St, with a bar as an “add-on, afterthought”.
But “regulars and devoted customers” kept rolling in for an ale.
“We just had to admit to ourselves it’s getting as good or even better than the product I was selling for top dollar for work,” Mr Davidson says.
Pumping out just shy of 100,000 litres of various brews last year, Mr Davidson is certain Little Bang can double its production in 2019 after a recent move to larger digs in Henry St, Stepney. They plan to be fully operational by December.
The blueprint includes a beer garden out front, a dedicated children’s area, packaging house, function areas with a capacity of about 290 people, 20 taps and 35 varieties.
“It’s got completely out of hand, mate,” he says with a laugh.
“Incrementally we keep building up. We’ve got enough room to expand six-times our current production. (But) volume isn’t our primary objective, unlike a lot of breweries.”
The pair is more interested in building an experience, first and foremost, at Henry St.
“We want to make a place that is comfortable and really caters to the culture of Little Bang,” Mr Davidson says.
“A unique and vibrant experience for everyone. Birthday parties, wedding receptions, God knows, we keep getting asked about it.”