Boutique microbrewery gets the go ahead in Sandgate

A new microbrewery offering boutique beers has been approved on Brisbane’s northside, with the owners revealing their plan to open by Christmas this year.

Victor Nicholls and Russell Gee of Rusty's Brewing Company celebrate Brisbane City Council's decision to approve their application for a microbrewery at Sandgate. Picture: Michelle Smith

A MICROBREWERY offering boutique beers has been approved for Sandgate.

The facility will be operated by Rusty’s Brewing Company who would like to see it open by Christmas “for the summer season” but say that will depend on the COVID-19 pandemic and what happens after.

The microbrewery will operate from a warehouse on Connaught St and will include a tap room.

Russell Gee and Victor Nicholls of Rusty's Brewing Company with fermenters which may feature in their Sandgate microbrewery. Picture: Michelle Smith

Company chairman Victor Nicholls and managing director Russell Gee said they were interested in providing “good quality, good value and an authentic experience”.

“We want to offer somewhere where people can bring their family, have a couple beers and have some barbecue food,” Mr Gee said.

“If they can afford to do it once a week or once a fortnight then we will be doing something good for our community.”

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Mr Gee said they had been working with a master brewer “to help us open” but the brewery would be automated.

“This means we’ll be highly agile to make beer to suit the consumer and where the flavour of the month is,” he said.

“We will be working with our clients in the brewing industry and following market signals to release beers the consumer wants.”

Victor Nicholls and Russell Gee of Rusty's Brewing Company. Picture: Michelle Smith

Mr Nicholls said the automated process would help them produce a more consistent product.

“We’ll also have a tap room where people can come in and taste the beer and have a barbecue – food like smoked pork,” he said.

“We’ll have a kitchen and will be providing food, simple and quality food that’s tasty and easy to produce.”

The brewery will employ three staff, with brewing and associated activities to occur between 7am and 7pm Monday to Saturday.

In approving the application, Brisbane City Council stated onsite production of beer or other alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages must not exceed 200 tonnes per annum.

There are already a number of breweries in Brisbane North including All Inn Brewing Co at Banyo, Hub Brewing at Geebung, Brendale Brewing Company at Brendale, Horny Wombat Brewery at Redcliffe and Aether Brewing at Northgate.