Two new breweries have recently opened in WA with three more on the way
Two new breweries have recently opened in WA with three more on the way
Competition is intense for the more than 75 breweries in Western Australia, but new entrants such as Yallingup’s Wild Hop Brewing Company are willingly entering the fray in the belief they can offer a unique edge.
For husband-and-wife team Matt and Ali Scott-Malcolm, operating a boutique brewery on their 20-hectare block in the South West is a way to pursue their passion for beer while earning an income.
The couple had initially planned on operating a cellar door brewery but decided a brewpub was more financially viable.
Ms Scott-Malcolm said running a brewpub meant they did not need to have product packaging or continuous supplies of particular brews.
“Every batch of beer will be different,” Ms Scott-Malcolm told Business News.
“We let our brewers be creative and brew what they like based on the seasons and feedback we get.”
With their beer offering constantly changing, Ms Scott-Malcolm said the couple brought this concept to their food menu and pub design.
“We’ve embraced that dynamic attitude as our culture,” she said.
“We will keep evolving, which hopefully keeps it exciting for our customers and our staff.”
An Artist's impression of Bailey Brewing Co in the Swan Valley
However, other new microbreweries are taking different approaches to stand out in the competitive craft beer scene.
Freestyle Brewing in Bassendean, a cellar door microbrewery selling craft beer by the can, opened earlier this year
Its co-owner Mark Smith, who runs the brewery with his wife, Jen Smith, said he had been a home brewer for about five years.
“I loved craft beer but my interest was also in the process and science of making beer,” he said.
With only a small amount of capital to invest, the couple built their business model on a production-only offering, meaning customers can sample and purchase beer at the site but cannot consume full vessels as they would in a brewpub.
“Being production only, we could limit our initial costs and focus on making the beer, and we can then distribute to any location in Perth,” Mr Smith said.
“Having the cellar door meant we could still connect with our customers.”
He said their approach was to start small and grow steadily, making constant improvements to processes along the way.
“Being a microbrewery has its advantages in that we can be more creative with recipes and (have) more variation,” Mr Smith said.
Scott Douglas (left) and Brooklyn Whelan from Running with Thieves brewery.
Running With Thieves brewery co-founder Scott Douglas said his Fremantle brewpub, which is aiming for a January 2020 launch, would bring light manufacturing back to the suburb
“I’ve always had an affinity with Fremantle,” he said.
“I think it’s got a massive future – there’s probably $1 billion (of investment) in the pipeline.”
Mr Douglas will run the brewery with long-time friend Brooklyn Whelan, and is bringing along his former brewer from Black Brewing in Wilyabrup, Paul Gasmier.
“Where technology is going, everyone’s becoming quite isolated, even within their communities,” Mr Douglas said.
“The great thing about breweries is that they’re the new suburban pub or meeting point.”
Mr Scott said the microbrewery, distillery and restaurant would be the largest of its kind in the state, and would be located at the former Sealanes site in South Fremantle.
“We’re right across the road from Fremantle’s busiest beach,” he said.
“People will be able to spend the morning down there and then come up and have a beer or gin and tonic that’s made in-house.”
Busselton will get a beachside brewpub, Shelter Brewing Co, in spring 2020.
The brewery is a joint venture between brothers Jason and Matt Credaro, and Zeb and Asher Packard-Hair.
“We want to create a place and an experience that captures the essence of Busselton’s relaxed beachside community and lifestyle,” head brewer Jason Credaro said.
The venue will have a distinctive and contemporary architectural design, including a glass wall exposing the main brewery and cladding on the roof designed to rust over time.
There will also be a beer garden and an outdoor area for children.
Similarly, Swan Valley’s Bailey Brewing Company, expected to open by October 2020, is keeping a family focus, with a large outdoor area that will accommodate a children’s nature playground.
Brothers (and former electricians) Steve and Daniel Bailey and their father, Geoffrey, will operate the venue.
Despite the venue’s proximity to breweries such as Henley Brook tavern and Mash Brewing, the Bailey family hopes to create an approachable pub with good-quality, yet simple, uncomplicated craft beers and meals.
“We’ve been home brewing for 10 years or so and we decided to take the next step and start up a brewery,” Steve Bailey said.
“We’re big on family, and we like breweries that have got a lot of space, so our intention was always a big area with a playground so kids can run around.”
Mr Bailey said construction was likely to start in the coming months.
