Distilleries, Cideries & Breweries

Raise a glass

While it’s always had a reputation for producing excellent wine, the abundant natural resources of Victoria’s Heartland have attracted a growing cohort of brewers and distillers. They take the pure water, local fruits and grains, and regional botanicals to make spirits, beers, ciders and liqueurs that are tasty expressions of the community and land around them. Here’s cheers to our small-batch producers.

Highlights

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From the still

Locally produced spirits and liqueurs have been sliding into the limelight with swags of awards. Boasting photogenic views is Newham’s Big Tree Distillery. Its range of gins uses a variety of botanicals, fruit and grapes sourced locally or by a gin-loving botanist.

At Daylesford’s Old Buttery Factory, Herbal Lore creates a range of aromatic, flavoursome liqueurs, created using grape bases and the likes of bergamot and calendula. The team also produces excellent gins – the Navy Strength is an award winner – and vodka under the Terra Australis brand.

Award-winning craft distiller Daylesford Spirit uses fine local ingredients, such as water from Mount Franklin, regional grains and organic fruits, to produce premium spirits. Its range of gin, vodka and whisky reflects the spirit of the community and the surrounding environment.

Hepburn Distillery makes the most of the region’s abundant rainwater and local produce to make gin, vodka and whisky. Book for a guided tour and tasting or drop by for a delicious cocktail.

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Hey, true brew

Top-notch breweries have made their mark in the region. One of the trailblazers is Woodend’s Holgate Brewhouse. After more than two decades, it remains independent, and it always has 16 taps of limited and special-release beers on the go.

Open all day is Daylesford Brewing Co’s taproom, called Grain. It’s designed to be a community-driven spot for casual dining and drinking. Taste the range of five core brews and rotating sours.

At Hepburn Springs Brewing Co’s taproom, choose from its small-batch beers, including the crowd-pleasing Pilsner and bigger flavours, like its Coffee Oatmeal Stout. It’s also started distilling a range of fruity gins and flavoured vodkas.

The buzzing town of Castlemaine is home to two excellent breweries. Relaxed Shedshaker Brewing has 24 taps, an Italian-style menu and a regular roster of live music. The front bar, bistro and pool room at Love Shack Brewing Company evoke classic country pubs of yesteryear.

At the Lost Watering Hole, pair the wares of The Lancefield Brewery with a delicious plate of food from the kitchen. There’s also plenty of local wines on the list, along with hard lemonades or ginger beers.

Daylesford Brewing

Shedshaker

Holgate Brewery

Fruits of their labour

If you fancy a change from beer, there is always the option to warm your cockles with a warm, spiced cider during winter or, when the weather turns warm, chill out with a crisp cider over ice. Organically farmed heirloom apple and pear varieties, combined with a true dedication to quality, see some of the country’s best craft ciders and perries produced in this region.

Set in a tranquil garden just outside the town, Daylesford Cider is a firm favourite. Work your way through its core range by trying one of the popular tasting paddles at the cellar door, with its backdrop of orchards, before settling in for lunch at the casual, welcoming restaurant.

Further north, Harcourt is Victoria’s apple-growing heartland and home to some brilliant cider producers, including Henry of Harcourt and Harcourt Cider. To the east of the region, the team at DV Cider in Darraweit Guim has quickly established its reputation as a go-to spot for tasting paddles, tasty food and live music.