A distillery that celebrates native ingredients and Indigenous heritage continues to skip its way to international success as it celebrates its latest gold rush.
Described as ‘spirits from the land’, its range of gin and vodka is named after endangered Australian animals, each featuring different botanical flavours.
With its co-founders proud First Nations people, Beachtree Distilling Company is fast becoming one of the most awarded distilleries on the Sunshine Coast.
Recently Beachtree’s Skippy Gin won gold the gin/spirit category of the 2023 International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) and a silver in the gin and tonic micro-category.
The awards come off a double gold win for the Skippy Gin in 2022 New York World Spirits Competition, while its other spirits have claimed gold in several competitions in the past as well.
Co-founders Steve Grace and Kirra Daley began their Caloundra-based distillery in 2021.
Ms Daley told Sunshine Coast News winning these awards was “an incredible honour” and a testament to Beachtree’s commitment to creating high-quality, organic gin.
“We are proud to be at the forefront of craft distilling and to be recognised for our dedication to sustainability and award-winning spirits,” she said.
“We are particularly proud to be the most awarded gin distillery on the Sunshine Coast and have won multiple gold medals at international level for all of our gins.
“This achievement is a testament to our hard work and dedication to producing quality spirits.”
Ms Daley said Beachtree’s products were handcrafted in small batches by Mr Grace – a master distiller and former engineer by trade – and paid homage to their Indigenous backgrounds.
Mr Grace is a Kamilaroi man, while Ms Daley grew up on Bundjalung country.
For the range, which includes the Skippy, Koala and Quokka gins and Tiger Quoll vodka, they source native botanical ingredients including finger lime, wattleseed and pepperberry.
The IWSC judges described the Skippy Gin’s flavour profile as “fleshy rhubarb, lemon thyme and verbena with elegant notes of violet and strawberry candy”.
This particular gin features strawberry gum, wattleseed, lemon myrtle, Kakadu plum, finger lime and pepperberries.
Ms Daley said Beachtree also had a proud focus on sustainability and planted one tree for every bottle sold.
The distillery will now focus on the launch of new products as well as attracting more visitors to its cellar door.
“We have several new products coming soon and we’re excited about our rum and whisky releases at the end of the year and early next year,” Ms Daley said.
“We are also about to commence the hosting of events and tastings at our distillery again, so be sure to follow us on social media for updates and invitations.”
Find Beachtree Distilling Company products in select bottle shops and bars across the region, as well as its cellar door at 14 Industrial Avenue, Caloundra.
Local journalists supporting local people. Help keep independent and fair Sunshine Coast news coming by subscribing to our FREE daily news feed. All it requires is your name and email at the bottom of this article.
