Two local brewers are cheering after embarking on a two-year journey to establish a brewery on a farm on the Sunshine Coast.
Wild Barrel is the region’s newest brewery and potentially the most unique, as it’s located on Belli Beef farm in Black Mountain.
The microbrewery offers limited-release batches made from locally sourced, organic ingredients and uses a barrel-ageing process to produce vintage brews.
The beers are currently only for purchase online for now, but there are plans to open a tap room to the public in the future.
Founders, farmers and brewers Scott Frew and Shane Kent came together with a shared appreciation for world travel and different flavours and cultures, and their passion for quality beer, wine and spirits.
Inspired by the wine-making process, Mr Frew said they were most excited about ageing their beers in oak, wine and whiskey barrels.
“Our beers are wild and can be aged anywhere from just a few weeks right up to a few years,” he said.
“Belli Beef is a regenerative farm that we bought in 2019 and we started repairing the land right away.
“We really wanted an artisanal, natural environment where we’re tracking wild yeast and organic grains and ingredients to put in the beer.
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“We planted a big syntropic garden and will be working some of the sours out of the fruits that come out of that.”
The duo recently celebrated obtaining council approval to publicly sell their range, with a soft launch of their first limited-release batches.
But getting to this point for the old friends was not without its challenges.
“It feels good to be up and running after two years of negotiating to get to be allowed to have a brewery on a farm,” he said.
“That was the toughest part, because normally they are supposed to be in industrial estates.
“The issue is certainly not to do with licensing. As long as you meet all the requirements, the issue is more related to town planning and zoning.
“Although the Sunshine Coast is building itself up to be the microbrewery capital of Australia, you still have each individual council with different town planning requirements.
“We worked with the Noosa Council and a town planner to get it over the line, so we’re very happy about that.”
He said their beers were targeted to a market of people looking for something different.
“Our products are really for someone who wants to open a bottle and actually appreciate a beer,” he said.
“There’s plenty of great breweries in the Sunshine Coast – and they all brew consistent, standard beer – but if you want something that is literally a vintage, try our beers.
“Once we’ve cracked 200 bottles in that barrel, you will never get that beer again … this is about variety not consistency.”
He said the first three limited-release barrel-aged beers on the market were all exceptional brews.
“We’ve got a Wild Barrel pilsner that’s been in a new French oak barrel for just over a month, he said.
“We’ve also a saison – which is French for season – that’s been in an ex-organic wine barrel a little longer.
“Then our Wild Thing brew has been in a barrel for over 12 months. It’s got all the wild yeasts in it and it’s continuing to develop its complexity.
“Wild Thing is by far and above the favourite, but our limited-release Christmas beer, which is Brazilian sour cherry, is pretty good too.”
While Wild Barrel beer can only be purchased online for now, the duo’s plan is to eventually find a larger establishment and open a tap room to the public.
“There may be some private tours coming up at the farm, but again we’ve got to get through some legislative challenges first,” he said.
“The community’s reaction has been very positive so far. The local area has been very supportive – in fact they were some of the first orders once we were allowed to trade on the website.”
Their long-term plan is to hold events at Belli Beef farm and collaborate with other local businesses.
“Subject to council approval, we want to do an event maybe every six months such as a proper Sunshine Coast expose on beef, beer and other local artisanal products out there in the paddocks,” he said.
For updates, follow the Wild Barrel Facebook page or head to the website.
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