Woolgoolga Brewing Company opens on the Coffs Coast

Almost 500 people turned out for a new brewery’s first day of trading at a much-anticipated venue. Here’s how the owners made it happen.

Ryan Poole, Sarah Poole, Gurmesh Singh and Aaron Dobner catch up at the opening of Woolgoolga Brewing Company on Saturday. Picture: Keri Dowling

Brewers from southern Victoria to the Clarence are backing their own with a new venture in Woolgoolga.

Woolgoolga Brewing Company is the brainchild of Sarah and Ryan Poole who have realised their vision with the help industry insiders.

Ms Poole said her interactions with the “unique” micro-brewing industry and it’s collegial nature enticed the couple to become a part of it.

And the tight-knit community certainly didn’t let them down.

Their team, which also includes Aaron and Jacqui Dobner, kept in contact with fellow North Coast breweries like Sanctus and King Tide and had the backing of Matt Bebe, founder of Tar Barrel on the Mornington Peninsula.

Woolgoolga Brewing Company opened its doors on Saturday. Picture: Keri Dowling

Ms Poole said Mr Bebe’s help guiding them through the ins and outs of starting a brewery was “almost invaluable”.

“To wrap your head around the scale of something like this, we are talking food, tap rooms, equipment, staff, systems – it is a significant operation,” Ms Poole said.

“He has handed over everything and has probably saved us learning many hard lessons along the hard way.”

The official opening of the brewery, situated in the Woolgoolga industrial area, exceeded the team’s expectations.

Close to 500 people walked through the doors on Saturday.

Ms Poole was heartened by “amazing” feedback and said it was clear people of all ages were eager to experience “something that was a little bit different”.

Woolgoolga Brewing Company opened its doors on Saturday. Picture: Keri Dowling

There is plenty to offer those who are keen to immerse themselves in the world of brewing as well as those who just want to enjoy a glass of wine.

With Woolgoolga and the Northern Beaches expected to grow in the coming years, Ms Poole said it was an area ripe with opportunity.

She said investment in housing, a new surf club and Wiigulga Sports Complex was a good indication of the region’s trajectory.

“For us Woolgoolga really made sense both for the location and what was going on in the Northern Beaches region,” she said.

“It just really feels like the type of little pocket that would support a venture like this.”