Launceston brewery: Du Cane owners set opening date, details

Two grog gurus who’ve played key roles in beloved Tasmanian booze brands have set a date for their new 1500 sqm brewpub and reveal why they think they’re riding the “cultural zeitgeist”.

Two Tasmanian grog gurus who’ve played key roles in beloved local booze brands have set an opening date for their massive new 1500 sqm brewpub and revealed why they believe they’re surfing the “cultural zeitgeist”.

Du Cane Brewing, founded in 2019 by Morrison Brewery assistant brewer and nature guide Will Horan in, in partnership with Sam Reid, one of the co-founder’s of Willie Smith Cider in the Huon Valley, is opening its first brick-and-mortar brewpub, the $2.5m Du Cane Brewery & Dining Hall, at the former Allgoods Tent City story at 60–64 Elizabeth St, Launceston.

Mr Reid revealed the brewpub is aiming for a soft launch to coincide with Junction Arts Festival in September – Elizabeth St runs along one side of Princes Square, which hosts festival hub each year – with full service, including food, likely to follow in October.

Builder Adam Anstie, Du Cane head brewer Will Horan, co-founder Sam Reid and architect Pippa Jensen inspecting the future Du Cane Brewery & Dining Hall. Picture: Alex Treacy

Mr Reid said the brewpub location will “cement Princes Square” as Launceston’s main night-life precinct.

“Launceston doesn’t have a North Hobart or Salamanca,” he said.

Noting its proximity to venues such as Saint John Craft Beer Bar and Geronimo, as well as the impending Tatler Arcade development, Mr Reid said locals and visitors would be able to “head out on a more casual basis (in Launceston) without having to plan in advance”.

Referring to its recent designation as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, Mr Reid said Launceston was at a “tipping point (in the) cultural zeitgeist” – a feeling he last got in the Huon Valley amid his co-founding of Willie Smith in 2012.

The future 150-capacity function room at Du Cane Brewery & Dining Hall. Picture: Alex Treacy

Mr Reid also revealed further detail about the new brewpub, which will feature 12 beer taps, an astroturfed function space for up to 150 guests, an atrium, laneway seating, a children’s play room and a private dining room for up to 24 guests.

Overall, the capacity of Du Cane once fully operational would be several hundred patrons, he said.

Mr Reid said Du Cane, which currently brews about 20,000 litres of beer per annum from Morrison, would eventually need to scale up to “a couple hundred thousand (litres per annum)” once it begins brewing on-site.

The future children's play space at Du Cane Brewery & Dining Hall. Picture: Alex Treacy

Mr Horan, who is Du Cane’s head brewer, said he would expand his core range of beers, moving more into the “dark beer and IPA” space, as he will be able to experiment more and respond to consumer demand at the brewpub.

Architect Pippa Jensen said the space would be designed with an eye on Mr Horan’s background as a nature guide and the building’s history as Tent City.

Sam Reid inspecting salvaged signs which will adorn the walls of the function space at Du Cane Brewery & Dining Hall. Picture: Alex Treacy

She is collecting disused canvas reminiscent of “1970s caravan annexes” to clad surfaces in the main taproom and will be repurposing the existing “original Tasmanian oak floors” produced by the former K&D Sawmill.