New Townsville brewery Tiny Mountain to open before Christmas

Take a peek inside Townsville’s newest brewery, Tiny Mountain, which will brew unique beers only available in the city and supply some bar fridge favourites. WATCH THE VIDEO >>

IT IS hoped Townsville’s newest brewery will open before the end of the year, pouring in a new flavour to the Palmer Street precinct.

Equipment is being moved into a new Malt Shovel microbrewery, Tiny Mountain, named after Townsville’s iconic Castle Hill.

Chris Sheehan, a head brewer at Malt Shovel, at the site of the new Tiny Mountain microbrewery in South Townsville. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Malt Shovel head brewer Chris Sheehan said the subsidiary of Lion Beer Spirits and Wine Ltd — which produces the likes of XXXX, Hahn, James Squire and Little Creatures — would develop purely local beers.

“Some of our beers will only be available in Townsville but others will be available far and wide,” he said.

“I expect to see the mighty Tiny Mountain front and centre on much of our imagery on our brands.”

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Site of the new Tiny Mountain microbrewery. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Mr Sheehan hoped the new brewery, being built by local company Phoenix Constructions, would be open in time for Christmas.

“Craft breweries in regions and cities is a big growing thing in Australia. The vision is to create some really solid local beers for people in North Queensland and beyond,” he said.

Mr Sheehan said the project would open up an existing warehouse on Palmer Street.

“(There will not be) too much changes to the building however we’re going to install a state of the art brewery capable of producing about 200,000 litres of beer a year,” he said.

“The exciting thing about Tiny Mountain is that you will see lots of stainless steel and see how and where the beer is made.”

Chris Sheehan, a head brewer at Malt Shovel, at the site of the new Tiny Mountain microbrewery with mayor Jenny Hill and director of Phoenix Constructions Nathan Evennette. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill the new brewery was an important project for the city and would appeal to millennials and young families.

“It’s about developing this precinct … it’s (the empty warehouse) finally being put to use,” she said.

“Business attracts more business. It’s about making sure you have the right product and I think this is the right product for here.

“(Breweries) are a really important part now of local culture.”

Townsville City Council last year approved plans for the microbrewery in Anthony Street and for carparking associated with the development in an adjoining vacant property fronting Palmer Street.

Townsville Brewery appealed against the approval but had been resolved, allowing for the development to go ahead.

According to the plans, a taproom is proposed to be open to the public from 2pm to 11pm through the week, except for Sundays which will have an earlier closing time of 10pm.

Originally published as New Townsville brewery Tiny Mountain to open before Christmas