Big plans for brewery after riding out the virus storm

Owners of a hinterland craft beer company which was nearly a casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic believe they have at last weathered the storm.

Brewers Torren Read and Brandt Bamford from Terella Brewing at North Arm say they’ve almost weathered the coronavirus storm. Photo Lachie Millard

Owners of a hinterland craft beer company which was nearly a casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic believe they have at last weathered the storm.

North Arm’s Terella Brewing Co was riding high as Australia’s first sustainable farm-style brewery when it opened in August 2019, only to be cut down six months later.

During the peak of the pandemic, owners Brandt Bamford and Torren Read had to scramble to make changes to cater for drive thru and delivery.

They had to lose staff and wear the cost themselves.

Now with stage 3 restrictions introduced, the brewery has returned to near capacity and its plans for a signature brewhouse have been accelerated.

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“We are just starting to pick up now, but not out of the woods yet,” Mr Bamford said.

“It’s been crazy stressful. We have been losing money.

“It’s just lucky we were in a financial position to ride it out.

“We had to let go of some staff but we have got some of them back in the last two weeks.”

Torren Read and Brandt Bamford from Terella Brewing are remaining positive despite the downturn due to the virus.

Their creative juices have flowed in recent weeks with Terella pumping out one or two new drops every week to keep the thirsty locals happy.

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Mr Bamford said some planned events were postponed, but with the current 100-head limit there were some “cool” things in the works.

“There’s quite a bit of useable land out here and we want to entertain the locals,” he said.

“The support we have had has been insane. So many regulars who have supported us every week.

“We want to host small events, car rallies, that’s the future for us over the next six months.”

But before then, Mr Bamford said the brewery would unveil its own brewhouse to showcase and educate the ins and outs of the craft beer industry, something they are immensely passionate about.

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