Yahl’s Little Rippa Brewery is nearing completion and people will be getting ready to ‘pour in’ for a beer when the venue opens its doors on July 15.
Business owners Lachy and Taryn Mutton said they had enjoyed the building process and everything was coming together well for the launch.
“We just cannot wait to share it with everyone and put our hospitality hats back on,” Ms Mutton said.
The family-friendly brewery is located at the Mutton family’s Yahl property with a scenic rural view, a large grassed area and a rustic, eclectic feel with lots of second hand and refurbished wares.
The interior is open-plan and will be warm throughout winter with a wood fire, underfloor heating and gas heaters out on the verandah.
The couple said there had been lots of excitement from the public and they had already gained a great following on social media.
“It’s been very well supported which is good and I guess gives us a lot of confidence that it’s going to go well,” Mr Mutton said.
“We have already got a lot of bookings for later in the year and enquiries and liaising with everything from tourist groups to local groups, businesses, families and birthday parties.”
The brewery will be open each Friday and Saturday from 11:30am to 10pm and Sunday from 10am to 5pm and an online booking service is in the pipeline.
There will be lots on offer with 12 Little Rippa beers on tap, Bruno Rossi coffee and local wines and plans in place for small-batch distilling to add in-house gin and vodka varieties to the menu.
“We have tried to make something for everybody so we’re not just limited to people that enjoy beer, it’s a whole venue that everyone can come and experience something they enjoy,” Ms Mutton said.
Meals will be available all day with evolving blackboard menus which have a big focus on fresh, local produce including woodfired pizzas, Saturday night specialty dishes on an open-fire redgum grill and breakfast-brunch dishes on Sunday.
Mr Mutton said the brewery would employ around 10 staff and were seeking applications for front of house workers, chefs and apprentices.
The brewery equipment has been moved into the venue and they will be busy brewing to increase stock levels for the upcoming launch and to meet ongoing demand.
Mr Mutton said the site had an environmentally friendly focus and with 30kW of solar on the roof and 30,000 gallons of rainwater, the venue would be energy and self-sufficient.
“Even through the building process we have been mindful of using some recycled, reclaimed materials – not just everything new – and going forward we plan to continue that,” Ms Mutton said.
Mr Mutton said transport options were also being explored to take patrons back into town, including a shuttle bus service.
