Booze free beer brand Heaps Normal plans new brewery, pub in Marrickville

A brewery with a difference could soon be opening in the craft beer capital of Sydney as a leading producer of non-alcohol beer plans to launch a new pub and brewhouse. See the details.

Heaps Normal co-founder Andy Miller.

A brewery with a difference could soon be opening in the inner west as one of Australia’s leading producers of non-alcohol beer plans to launch a new pub and brewhouse at Marrickville.

Booze-free beer brand Heaps Normal has lodged plans to transform a warehouse on Brompton St into a new 300-patron venue containing a brewery and pub with an emphasis on non-alcoholic products.

Founded in 2020, Heaps Normal is one of Australia’s most well known producers of non alcoholic products and supplies its range to retailers including Dan Murphy’s and Liquorland.

The company described the new brewery and bar as being aimed at “customers with a well-developed interest and enthusiasm for beer and locally produced products with an emphasis on non-alcoholic products.”

Heaps Normal co-founder and chief executive Andy Miller hopes the venue will bring something different to a suburb synonymous with craft and independent breweries.

Heaps Normal was founded by Jordy Smith, Andy Miller, Benny Holdstock and Peter Brennan. Picture: Supplied.

“We’re really excited about the potential to create the first dedicated non-alc brewery in the state which we believe will add another layer to the incredible arts and hospitality scene of Sydney’s inner-west,” he said.

“It will hopefully encourage the wider community to come together and engage in healthy conversations about Aussie drinking culture.

“By building a modern brewing capability in NSW we’ll not only be supporting the local agro-industry but also providing the community with locally-made product.”

Mr Miller said while the primary focus would be on non-alcohol beers, the new venue would also cater for all crowds.

“Heaps Normal believes that in order to change Aussie drinking culture, it’s important to be inclusive which is why the hospitality component includes plans to serve both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages,” he said.

Heaps Normal’s plans to Inner West Council state the new pub would differ from the traditional drinking hole as it would primarily cater to craft beer connoisseurs.

Heaps Normal was founded back in 2020.

“The social stigmas surrounding ‘pubs’ are acknowledged, however, there is a key point of difference to the proposed offering by Heaps Normal, and that of a traditional pub,” the plans state.

“The proposed pub will sell craft beers that are made on premises or by other boutique and local producers, unlike traditional pubs that rely upon larger commercial brewery deliveries.

“The development will provide social benefits to the local community through employment opportunities, attracting new consumers to the area and increasing the quantity and quality of social outlets available.”

Plans show the venue would have an emphasis on educational experiences including screenings, workshops, tours and tastings.

Also on the cards are events to support local artists, musicians and filmmakers which plans stated would “strengthen local innovation and the creative fabric of Marrickville and the Inner West”.

A photo of the site where Heaps Normal wants to build a new brewery.

Mr Miller said the development was contingent on funding from the NSW Future Industries Investment Program which is currently review by the new Labor state government.

“Like so many startups and scaleups who invest tens of thousands of dollars applying for development approvals and funding, we believe it’s vital to the productivity of our local economy that state governments offer certainty around their processes and timelines,” he said.

“The resilience of local manufacturing in particular relies on governments backing it in. Let’s hope the NSW expenditure review delivers for small businesses.”

The plans come amid rising popularity in non-alcohol beer, partly driven by increased consumer awareness of health-issues related to alcohol.

Heaps Normal – in its plans to the council – state the company’s growth was in line with the “shift to a more mindful drinking experience”.

“We brew beer without the hangover so (customers) can create their own epic new normal,” the company’s plans stated. “It turns out reducing our alcohol consumption doesn’t have to mean being boring and doesn’t always mean being sober.

“Together we want to reduce the role of alcohol in our culture and share better stories.”

The plans have been lodged to Inner West Council and are currently under assessment.

If approved, the venue would have 20 staff employed at any one time.