Ward’s Brewery owner Michael Comley said his brewery would be a nod to Gladstone’s heritage

One of Gladstone’s most famous export facilities has rebranded and is ready to serve ice cold, homegrown beverages to the weary traveller and thirsty local alike.

In the age of microbreweries and milk crate chairs, one Gladstone businessman wants to strip back all the superficial stuff and give the people what they want - good beer from a local name.

After receiving development approval from Gladstone Regional Council in March 2020 on the site of the historic Ward’s Cordials factory in Auckland Street, Ward’s Brewing owner Michael Comley is champing at the bit to open in 2022.

“I don’t want to hold myself to an opening date as there are still many components of the brewery which have to come together, we’ll keep it loose and say mid-2022,” Mr Comley said.

The factory was originally designed for drink production and the Ward’s Cordials brand can trace its history on the site back to 1922.

The Comley family bought Ward’s Cordials in 1974 and produced drinks until the 1980s before changing the warehouse into Budget Rent a Car.

With Budget now operating in Callemondah, Mr Comley spent time coming up with ideas for the shed before landing on returning it to its original use – producing drinks.

“This idea of building a brew-pub has been in the pipeline for a number of years, I have worked and collaborated with people from all across Australia while striving to keep things local,” Mr Comley said.

A refurbishment is needed to bring the shed up to scratch.

Iconic Gladstone drink Ward's will be making a comeback as a microbrewery

However, parts of the design, such as slightly curved floors to allow for drainage which are already featured at the site, make the property fit for a microbrewery.

The brewery will focus on new beer products as consumer demand steps away from the artificial products found in the original Ward’s soft drink recipes, however some old time favourites may make an appearance.

“It is our ambition to bring back some of those products, to say ‘glad it’s our home’,” Mr Comley said.

“Some of the more nostalgic ones like ginger beers, lemonade and horehound.”

Mr Comley said Ward’s Brewing would differ from other licensed venues in the Gladstone region due to the experience they offered.

A photo of the old Ward’s Cordial factory site before Ward’s Brewery owner Michael Comley launched his master plan.

“The decor, the environment it’s going to be in, there is nothing in Gladstone like it,” he said.

“You are going to be among the vats, brewing equipment, it is in a very old building which is aesthetically pleasing because it has character.”