11 regional Victorian distilleries and breweries to try this weekend
A Sunday trip to the country doesn’t always have to end at a winery or brewery for lunch. We’ve found these regional Victorian distilleries you should visit on your next day trip.
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Winery and brewery tours make perfect day trip destinations.
But if you’re wanting to try something different, check out these regional distilleries to sample some of Victoria’s best homegrown whisky and gin.
KILDERKIN, BALLARAT
11A Michaels Drive, Alfredton
Kilderkin has been making gin since 2016, with three signature styles and some interesting flavoured gins. Co-directors Chris Pratt, Rebecca Mathews and Scott and Vanessa Wilson-Browne also offer gin tastings and tours of the facility — which also houses Red Duck Beer.
THE WHISKERY, DRYSDALE
Scotchmans Road and Portarlington Rd, Drysdale.
This converted farm shed offering its own gin for tasting. The Whiskery’s own whisky is not ready for tasting, available in 2021. Try some other whisky’s at the site, as well as local wines, beers and ciders. No bookings necessary, although groups of 12 or more need to make contact before arrival.
bellarinedistillery.com.au/the-whiskery
FOUR PILLARS GIN, HEALESVILLE
2a Lilydale Road, Healesville
A Melbourne icon in the gin game, Four Pillars isn’t a stranger to Cellar Door visits. Pull up a pew at the tasting bench before 5.15pm daily to try a selection of gins. Walk-in tastings are $10 per person, refundable with any 700ml or 500ml gin purchase. Private tastings also available.
HURDLE CREEK STILL, MILAWA
216 Whorouly-Bobinawarrah Rd, Milawa
Hurdle Creek began making gin at the family’s King Valley property in 2016. All gins are made and bottled onsite at The StillHouse. The gins are triple distilled, making them unique. Visitors are welcome to watch the still in action, talk to the distiller and sample gin. Open Mon-Tues, Thurs: 10am-4pm, Fri-Sun: 10am-5pm. Closed Wednesdays.
ALCHEMY DISTILLERS, HEALESVILLE
242 Maroondah Hwy, Healesville
Alchemy has converted its 120 year old wood fired bakery into a working distillery and cocktail bar. Come for a guided tasting, or enjoy at your own pace in the beer garden. These guys make gin, vodka and whisky. Tastings are $10 each, redeemable on purchase.
LOCH AND BREW, LOCH
44 Victoria Road, Loch
Beer, whisky, gin or spirits? Loch and Brew have a wide range to try at their distillery and brewery, inside a 100-year-old red brick bank. Commercial production began in 2014. The cellar door is open from Friday to Sunday 11am to 4pm.
REED AND CO DISTILLERY, BRIGHT
15 Wills St, Bright
Reed and Co is the love child of two restaurateurs Hamish Nugent and Rachel Reed. Reed and Co began in 2016, at their restaurant Tani Eat and Drink. When the venue closed in 2017, Reed and Co Distillery opened at the Wills St site. Their first creation — Remedy Australian Dry Gin. The distillery reopens after its winter break on Friday July 12.
TIMBOON DISTILLERY, TIMBOON
The Railway Yard , 1 Bailey Street, Timboon
Timboon Distillery founder Josh Walker came from a farming background. Now he’s making his own whisky and liqueurs. Tastings are welcome everyday. There’s also a monthly ‘Walk the Talk’ luncheon tours, including tastings for $59 per person.
TERRA AUSTRALIS DISTILLERY, DAYLESFORD
2 Railway Crescent, Daylesford
The Daylesford distillery is found in the Old Butter Factory, on the outskirts of the township. Terra Australis focuses on gin and vodka, while Herbal Lore creates eight different styles of herbal liqueurs.
FARMGATE BREWERY AND DISTILLERY, ST ARNAUD
33 Park Road, St. Arnaud.
This tiny craft brewery and distillery is found in St Arnaud, on the cusp of the Grampians and Pyrenees. They make a selection of handcrafted beer and spirits.
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ANIMUS DISTILLERY, KYNETON
1/89A Piper St, Kyneton
Four mates came together to launch a gin distillery Animus in Footscray. When they outgrew the space they moved to Kyneton. They make four styles, including their take on a London Dry and Sloe Gin.
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