Nestled amidst the historic charm and picturesque landscape of Victoria's Goldfields region, Ballarat is emerging as a thriving hub for breweries and distilleries. Rich in history, the area once played a significant role during the Gold Rush era, providing settlers with alternatives to unpalatable water sources. Today, this legacy lives on through a selection of exceptional venues that showcase the finest locally produced beverages.
One such venue is the relatively recent establishment Aunty Jacks, known for its dedication to craft beer and lively atmosphere. Quickly becoming a must-visit destination for beer enthusiasts, visitors can indulge in a tasting paddle while enjoying live music or participating in beer education classes. Witnessing the brewing process firsthand and sipping a cold one mere meters away from where it was produced is an unparalleled experience at Aunty Jacks.
Cubby Haus Brewing, founded by individuals passionate about traditional ale, offers an array of eight core beers and numerous experimental batches, catering to diverse tastes from light pilsners to rich oatmeal stouts. Dollar Bill Brewing, known for its meticulous fermentation approach in French oak barrels, produces beers, ciders, and meads that yield intricate, challenging sour and complex flavors highly anticipated by craft beer connoisseurs with each seasonal release of their flagship Parlay beer.
Red Duck Beer, led by Scott and Vanessa Wilson-Browne, prioritizes natural ingredients and sustainable practices in their creations like a coffee and chocolate dark beer featuring locally sourced grain, coffee beans, and cocoa from Ballarat producers. The "Quack Pack" offers twenty-four cans for a comprehensive sampling of Red Duck's offerings. Kilderkin Distillery, founded by Scott Wilson-Browne and Chris Pratt, specializes in gin production, offering visitors a choice of six distinct gins infused with Australian botanicals, starting with the Original Larrikin Gin. These venues provide travelers with memorable experiences steeped in history and craftsmanship, from innovative startups to esteemed veterans.