Little Rippa Brewery to open to the public with Mount Gambier boutique ale house

Mount Gambier chefs are tapping into Australia’s appetite for craft beer unveiling their plan for a boutique brewery.

Plans for a Little Rippa Brewing's new ale brewery and restaurant set to open on the outskirts of Mount Gambier by the end of the year. Picture: Frank Brennan Consulting Services

A little rippa idea will soon become a reality with a boutique brewery set to open in Mount Gambier by the end of the year.

Lachy and Taryn Mutton have owned local icon Sorrentos Cafe for 20 years but their next venture began as a hobby before it morphed into a 500-1000L a week production.

“We just found that there was a growing demand for craft beer in Mount Gambier,” Mr Mutton said.

Lachy and Taryn Mutton from Little Rippa Brewing Company on the outskirts of Mount Gambier. Picture: Little Rippa Brewing Company

“The family couldn’t keep up with production, we had to turn around and purchase bigger equipment and that’s now led to us supplying a lot of other local venues around the region.”

Demand has continued to flow with Little Rippa Brewing Company, outgrowing its current shed which does not open to the public.

Now the Mutton property on the outskirts of Mount Gambier will become home to a 150-seat ale house with the capacity to produce 5000L of beer a week.

Showcasing their core range plus seasonal and experimental brews, and guest taps, Mr Mutton said the family-friendly venue will offer the full experience.

“We do want to remain a boutique venue, we don’t want to turn into a factory,” he said.

Lachy Mutton currently brews from a purpose-built shed at his Yahl property but by the end of the year Little Rippa Brewing Company is set to open a 150-seat boutique brewery. Picture: Little Rippa Brewing Company

“It will be the whole experience of visiting a working brewery, seeing things in action and trying different things.

“There’ll be the opportunity to come out as groups and do a full tour and sit down afterwards and have some food and tasting paddles.”

Both chefs by trade, Mrs Mutton said the restaurant will take a paddock-to-plate approach to complement the naturally made beer with a farm produce store selling their relishes, jams and spice rubs.

“We’ve always based our food on regional produce, that’s something we’re passionate about,” she said.

“We’re going to have a veggie garden out there and use a lot of our own produce.

The Little Rippa Brewing Company range is all produced on site on the skirts of Mount Gambier. Picture: Little Rippa Brewing Company

“It will be an ever changing menu depending on seasons and produce which we are really excited about.”

The open plan design with intimate spaces will allow guests to sit among the stainless, overlooking the rural Yahl setting, complete with a chance to bottle fed lambs.

The build is yet to begin but Mr Mutton said sustainability will be at the forefront.

“Breweries are quite often known for being big power and water users and all those types of things,” he said.

Lachy Mutton from Little Rippa Brewing Company. Picture: Little Rippa Brewing Company

“We’ve got kids and we want to pave the way for their future and their kids’ future.

“It is something that people need to be aware of and turn some attention to rather than the old-fashioned business model where we chew up everything and spit it out.”

From milling the grain through to packaging, the couple will continue to do everything on site and hope to add themed nights, functions, acoustic afternoons, markets and even a distillery in the future.

Little Rippa Brewery is set for completion by the end of the year and will trade Friday through Sunday.