Wyong: Blackboard Brewing Co lodges plans to secure microbrewer and on-premises licence

The Central Coast’s newest home brew shop has lodged an application that could pave the way for it to become a microbrewery complete with on-premises tastings. See the details.

Home-brew shop Blackboard Brewing Co has lodged a change of use application so it can brew and sell finished beer at its Wyong premises. Picture: supplied

Less than a year after it signed a lease on a light industrial unit, the Central Coast’s newest home brew shop is already setting its sights on becoming a craft microbrewery complete with on-premises tastings.

Blackboard Brewing Co opened as a home brew shop at Donaldson St, in the burgeoning industrial precinct north of Wyong, in January and has gone on to offer brewing classes as well hosting home brew competitions.

But bubbling away in the background has been the company’s intention to become an education-based microbrewery — think the craft beer equivalent of a cooking school.

However, in order to secure the relevant approval from NSW Liquor and Gaming for producer/wholesaler and microbrewery licenses, along with on-premises authorisation to allow patrons to sample their wares on site, the home brew shop has lodged a change of use application with Central Coast Council.

“Blackboard Brewing Co currently operates as a home-brew supplies store and school,” the development application (DA) states.

Home-brew shop Blackboard Brewing Co is out to become the coast’s newest microbrewer. Picture: supplied

“They wish to amend the use of the site to produce small amounts of alcohol (craft beer), with the primary objective being to aid in the sale of home brewing ingredients, equipment, classes and events.

“Beer produced during these activities will subsequently be sold. Equipment being used to produce the craft beer will be similar to that used by home brewers, and they will be non-fixed (movable).”

The business already has approval from the owners to have chairs and tables out on the grass so long as they are put away each night. Picture: supplied

Under the DA, Blackboard Brewing estimates it will produce up to a modest 150L of craft beer a week and does not seek any building works or alterations to its existing site.

It does state, however, that Blackboard Brewing has the permission of the industrial complex’s owners to use a small grassed area adjacent to its unit for tastings and the like so long as any chairs or tables are moved inside the building after hours.

Blackboard Brewing was founded by Block ‘N Tackle brewery owner Paul Wakelin and former staffer Scott McKeaveney.

With a background as a high school teacher, Mr Wakelin said he and Mr McKeaveney identified a “gap in the market” for a small microbrewery focused on teaching enthusiasts how to up their home brew game to become “semi-pro” as well as providing a retail outlet for the ingredients and equipment needed.

Paul Wakelin at his other brewery Block N Tackle, Kincumber.

Mr Wakelin said what was missing was the on-premises licence for a “tap room” where people, who had done a class or entered a competition, could come and try their beers afterwards.

The application comes after council recently approved a separate DA for a boutique gin distillery at Somersby.

The owners of 690 Wisemans Ferry Rd, Somersby, have lodged plans to distil gin on the property which they intend to sell in 700ml "Alchemy" bottles by Unique Pak. Picture: supplied

Professional equestrian rider Rachael Lee and her husband lodged plans in February to turn a small shed on their sprawling, manicured 5.7ha property at 690 Wisemans Ferry Rd, into a distillery that uses rainwater and locally sourced ingredients to produce a gin that “showcases our region on a national and international stage”.