How engineer’s Covid hobby turned into new booze business

It started as a passion project. Now, this Hervey Bay man is about to launch his own rum and gin line.

Hervey Bay's Kane Macready has told of how a Covid hobby has become a passion, with the engineer developing his own line of liquors as part of his new business, The Spirit Collective.

It started as a passion project.

Now, this Hervey Bay engineer is about to turn his Covid hobby into his own rum and gin line.

Hervey Bay’s Kane Macready was having a quiet rum at the start of the lockdown 18 months ago when he wondered what it would be like to create his own product.

Now, he is about a month away from launching gin and rum products under his own label, The Spirit Collective.

He’s among more than 100 craft brewers and artisan distillers who have applied for Queensland’s first new liquor licence in eight years.

Mr Macready is hoping restaurants and hotels in the region will buy his product when it’s ready to go.

He also plans to showcase it at local events like Food and Groove and the upcoming Seafood Festival.

What began as enjoyable passtime will now provide a supplementary income.

It takes two years for rum to age and he has barrels that are now approaching that time.

Mr Macready, who works full-time as an engineer, now has an artisan producer’s licence which requires him to produce at least 400 litres a year, which he admits could be challenging.

He can produce no more than 2500 litres a year under the licence.

One of Kane Macready's rum trials.

But, he’s loving his new challenge and encouraging people to stay posted as he gets a website and Facebook page online so people can find his products there.

Mr Macready is now in the final stages of branding and packaging his products.

“It’s going to be pretty exciting,” he said.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Shannon Fentiman said that this includes four craft brewers and artisan distillers in the Wide Bay region, including Mr Macready’s business.

“There is a buzz growing around Queensland’s boutique alcohol scene – giving locals and tourists alike the chance to sample quality craft beer or spirits in some of the state’s most popular drinking spots, as well as some unique locations in rural and regional Queensland,” Minister Fentiman said.

“We want to support our craft brewers and distillers to continue to grow their business and create more jobs for Queenslanders as we continue our plan for economic recovery.

“It’s fantastic to see there have already been 114 applications from Queensland brewers and distillers for the new artisan producer liquor licence since April.”

Member for Hervey Bay Adrian Tantari said the licence also comes the added opportunity to sell craft beers or spirits from other artisanal producers, as well as Queensland wines.

“Just a quick look at what is on offer in Wide Bay and we can see pink gin, liqueurs, vodka, cider and a variety of beers made with 100 per cent Queensland rainwater – all with a local theme, and local flavours,” Mr Tantari said.

Benefits of the new artisan producer licence include:

• No limit to how much of their own product can be sold on their premises, providing production limits are met to ensure they remain boutique businesses
• An option to showcase and sell samples of their wares at promotional events such as farmers markets, food festivals and agricultural shows
• The ability to sell their product as takeaway, including online.