The best new spots to enjoy a local spirit or brew in regional Vic

The boom in breweries and distilleries in regional Victoria is revitalising small towns and local economies. Here are the top new drinking holes.

Rapid growth in craft brewers and distillers opening shop has had huge flow-on benefits in the regions.

Both the Independent Brewers Association and Victorian Spirits Association say the number of businesses has increased exponentially in the past decade coinciding with a general consumer trend for quality over quantity and complementary experiences involving food and drinks.

Victoria’s regions are estimated to be home to more than 70 per cent of the state’s distillers and a quarter of the state’s breweries, helping revitalise small towns and rural economies.

An economic impact assessment conducted by the Independent Brewers Association revealed the number of craft brewers nationally had increased from 30 in 2006 to more than 600 in 2020 and regional brewers generated economic output of $795 million in 2019-20.

Victoria’s combined regional and urban economic output was estimated to be $580 million, reflecting the independent brewing industry’s significance to the Australian economy.

IBA chief executive officer Kylie Lethbridge said many regional breweries had become destinations themselves and added value to visitor experiences.

“The benefits for these regional locations are an increase in employment opportunities and the revitalisation of buildings and streetscapes that would otherwise be discarded,” Kylie said.

“This also often has a catalyst effect and leads revitalisation of small towns – build it and they will come.”

Independent Brewers Association chief executive officer Kylie Lethbridge.

Craft breweries and distilleries in regional areas were also a meeting place for the community.

“What makes breweries great is they are unpretentious,” Kylie said.

“Visitors can come in wearing their best party dress, their work overalls or their post downhill biking gear and be treated with the same high level of service and welcoming attitude by the people who actually make the beer.”

A growing concern following the industry’s period of rapid growth was over-saturation in the market with multiple breweries going into voluntary administration this year and others challenged by the current economic climate.

“Ingredients and materials have increased, some up to 30 per cent, energy prices, transport and our regulatory framework are making it very difficult for many producers,” Kylie said.

“That is then exacerbated by the fact that spending is down as consumers tighten their belts to weather the inflation storm.”

Cementing itself as a major regional hub for unique experiences, attractions and business prospects, Ballarat has two new gin distilleries opening this spring.

Grainery Lane is a one of a kind, saloon-style bar that aims to bring back the glitz and glamour of the city’s gold rush era.

Named after the historic lane that was once a bustling centre for the city’s grain trade, Grainery Lane features an original bar spanning an entire wall, back-dropped by sparkling chandeliers and furniture reminiscent of the 1880s.

Grainery Lane’s Brian Taylor said the story through historic Ballarat continued with a secret speak-easy at the back of the building. The 60-seat bar had a strict invite-only policy and was hidden behind a secret wall, reflecting the early 1920s prohibition era.

Grainery Lane, Ballarat.

Itinerant Spirits, also opening this spring, will draw on the history of Ballarat in a slightly different fashion.

Co-founder Brad Wilson said Ballarat was a place where independence, optimism and character ran deep and they set out to celebrate that by establishing a distillery, cocktail bar and multi-spirit experience inside a historic 1860s Goods Shed, just metres from Ballarat Train Station.

“Visitors can travel by train and have a G&T in their hands within two minutes of alighting,” Brad said.

The brand was founded as a nod to workers who once graced the floors and railway tracks of the goods shed.

“Itinerant by nature, they travelled from place to place across the western Victorian grain-belt, and down the train line, station to station and farm to farm,” Brad said.

“And here we are today, the first time in the shed’s 160 years, that quality goods are being made within the walls and not just simply passing in and out from train to truck.”

Brad said Itinerant Spirits was a story of wanderlust and journey, of travel, connections and new possibilities.

“We’re about providing Australia’s best multi-spirits experiences, sharing and interweaving local stories and history as part of the drinking experience and broad spirits masterclasses we offer.”

Itinerant Spirits, Ballarat.

Once the name of an old gold mining settlement on the Livingstone Creek, New Rush has been reclaimed as Omeo’s new brewery, pouring golden ale for adventurous high country travellers.

The brainchild of young local couple Aaron Mitchell and Natalie O’Connell, together with Natalie’s father, Rod O’Connell, New Rush Brewery has opened its doors after 18 months of planning and renovating the unique octagon-shaped building in Main St, formerly a cafe and bookshop.

New Rush Brewery, Omeo.

Natalie, who was mayor of East Gippsland Shire Council in 2019, is now chief barista at the brewery while Aaron is in charge of the kitchen producing tapas-style meals under the watchful eye of his brother, local chef Grant Mitchell.

Natalie said owning a local business had always been a dream and they hoped to capitalise on the “new rush” of tourism to the area generated by the recently constructed mountain bike trails.

“When we were thinking of a name we really wanted to celebrate Omeo’s history and we thought New Rush was a nod to the olden days but recognised what might be to come for Omeo as an adventure tourism destination,” she said.

“We’ve got a long family history with the area. Dad’s grandfather was a gold miner out at Glen Wills – he built the Blue Duck Hotel – and our logo is actually a silhouette of him.”

New Rush Brewery, Omeo.

New Rush has partnered with small like-minded business Wolf of the Willows at Mordialloc to supply beer on tap. Local selections of Gippsland wine, spirits and produce are also offered.

Long term the couple hopes to brew their own beer on site in a microbrewery.

“People love to come in and see where products are made and be part of that journey of what they are having from the tanks to the taps so that is certainly our long-term vision,” Natalie said.

Darraweit Valley Cider owners Marc Serafino and Jenny Abalos are looking forward to a bumper Oktoberfest and summer after challenging times.

Floods swept through their property last October “muddying” everything according to Jenny, who moved to the Macedon Ranges in 2014 with partner Marc, where they opened a small batch cider house on 17ha at Darraweit Guim.

Nestled in picturesque rolling hills 50km from Melbourne, Darraweit Valley Cider is where family and friends have planted 2500 cider apple trees over the years. Flood waters from two nearby swollen creeks affected the property last October.

“It was a very difficult time, but things have slowly bounced back, and we are planning a big Oktoberfest with great cider, Bavarian food and fun activities on October 21,” Jenny said.

Marc, a chef, lived in Cornwall – England’s cider country – for some of his childhood and has always had a great interest in craft cider.

His hobby became a business, and they produce award-winning ciders with an emphasis on flavour.

“That’s what sets our ciders apart from others, Marc’s so good at creating great flavours using real Australian cider apples and ingredients like hops, molasses and coffee to create something truly unique,” Jenny said.

The most popular variety is the Cider House Hop Drop.

Marc also cooks tasty bar food such as nachos, curries, smoked meats and vegetarian options and has a great following.

“We are also planning to add sunlounges in summer so people can sit in the sun, enjoy the views and order from a QR code without moving,” Jenny said.

The cider house with ciders on tap is open Friday to Sunday and you can also wander among the cider tree orchard.