Rhyll brewery and distillery: A Covid dream comes to life on Phillip Island

Jobs and beer will soon be flowing in a tiny hamlet on Phillip Island as a $4 million business prepares to unfold over a picturesque foreshore.

Phillip Island locals can soon say cheers to a new brewery and distillery planned for in Rhyll.

The state government will contribute $1.2 million to the business.

The project, costing about $4 million in total, will create about 55 jobs during construction and 20 full-time jobs after completion.

Owner Justin Jamieson said the project is his “Covid dream”.

“I saw the land (for the brewery) pre-Covid and then kind of watched the craft beer revolution take off and I just thought it would be perfect,” he said.

Mayor Michael Whelan, Marilyn Jamieson, Justin Jamieson, Martin Pakula, Bass MP Jordan Crugnale and Bass Coast Council CEO Ali Wasti at the Rhyll brewery and distillery site.

Mr Jamieson hopes to open September next year, saying locals and tourists can “stop by and have a beer or a gin, while they watch the sunset over the boats”.

The business will overlook the Rhyll Foreshore and have 120 seats and a brewery theatre so patrons can watch the beer brew and learn about the process.

Mr Jamieson said he was “fighting as hard as we can” to make the premises as eco-friendly as possible.

“We want to be off the grid,” he said.

“We have water tanks to brew from, electric charging stations and we are working towards getting an electric bus to bring people in and home again after they have had a few drinks.”

He said he was excited to work with Ocean Reach Brewery and the Phillip Island Winery to create a complete food and beverage experience on Phillip Island.

“Phillip Island is the next big thing” he said.

Justin Jamieson, Martin Pakula and MP Jordan Crugnale at the new Rhyll brewery and distillery site.

“This is hopefully going to be a part of helping it explode into everything it can be.”

A range of freshly brewed seasonal craft beer and spirits will be served, while the restaurant's menu will showcase local ingredients.

Tourism Minister Martin Pakula said this would be “another reason to stay even longer on Phillip Island”.