‘If not now, then when?’: How cardiac arrest spurred Mortdale man to open area’s first brewery

Mortdale man Beau Curtis had a second chance at life - and he’s dedicated it to beer, opening up the area’s first ever craft brewery. See how it all started.

Sydney’s St George area has its first craft brewery and it’s not due to a publican or hospitality group. It’s the work of local resident Beau Curtis, who, after suffering a cardiac arrest decided to quit his corporate day job and follow his dream.

Curtis opened The Social Brewers earlier this year after spending years complaining the area was completely lacking when it came to brew houses.

Originally from Newtown and witnessing the dawn of craft brewing, Curtis moved to the area 13 years ago when he started having children.

“When you first have kids, you go into hibernation. As they got older, we started going out more and that’s when I realised the area didn’t have anything for people in my age group or who enjoy the small brewery experience.”

But it was a sudden cardiac arrest brought caused by an undiagnosed genetic heart condition hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) four years ago that turned the complaining to action.

Beau Curtis at his The Social Brewers Brewery in Mortdale. It’s the first craft brewery to open in the St George area. Picture: Jeremy Piper

“I had been playing soccer and then playing with my kids outside. I went to the kitchen to get a drink of water and collapsed,” Curtis explained. “My wife performed CPR on me for eight minutes.”

“It completely changed my perspective. I had absolutely no experience in hospitality. I‘ve been in marketing in media for last 22 years but I’ve always aspired to have my own business and direct my own destiny.

“If I don’t do it I can’t complain that it’s not here,” said Curtis of starting the brewery. Picture: Jeremy Piper

“I knew the area needed a brewery and I thought if I don’t do it now, then when? If I don’t do it I can’t complain that it’s not here.”

The focus of the brewery is community. Curtis has named his ales (which he perfected in his home brewery over three years and served at family weddings) after local heroes, including walking group Peaky Striders.

Curtis has named his ales (which he perfected in his home brewery over the past three years) after local heroes. Picture: Jeremy Piper

“This is the new local, where people can see their mates and wash away the worries of the day by talking to one another,” he said.

“I’ve done a lot of research and as far as I can tell, I’m the first brewery (in the district), ever.”

Since opening in March, the business has exceeded his expectations.

“The art and science behind brewing, watching and enjoying, getting feedback directly, you don’t get from corporate life.”