The rise and rise in popularity of gin has seen an explosion of top quality offerings. Geelong and surrounds has found itself at the epicentre of this white spirit phenomenon with six incredible local distilleries and a venue dedicating itself to showcasing some of them.
Black Sheep Geelong in Brougham Street has a special area, the Chamber of Gin, where you can taste, buy and learn more about three of the six local gin houses found in all corners of Geelong and The Bellarine.
Learning about the history of gin in the region, you’ll discover that distilling isn’t new here. In fact, Geelong was once home to the Corio Distillery, the largest distillery in the southern hemisphere.The region’s gin history began in the 1920’s when British Distillers decided that a shortage of whiskey just simply wasn’t an option and the first Burnett’s Dry Gin was produced. By the end of 1938 production was at 5 million gallons of gin per year. At that time this equated to half of the gin market.
Nowadays, the local gin distillers produce comparatively small batch, but incredible tasting gin. Each with their own unique flavour and characteristics.
Anther Gin – Geelong
Originally in Collingwood’s Craft & Co before basing themselves in Richmond, award-winning Anther Gin opened its Geelong home in 2020 in the historic Federal Mills. This site is fast becoming an entrepreneur’s haven and Anther is right at home in this emerging and thriving precinct in North Geelong.
At the base of the Federal Mills chimney spire you’ll find Anther’s reimagined cellar door space. Co-owners/distillers, Dervilla McGowan and Seb Reaburn have a cumulative 45+ years in the hospitality industry with Derv bringing scientific method to her distillation process having been a scientist and having a PhD in microbiology. Anther Distillery is a working distillery, giving the spirit lover or the adventurous at heart the opportunity to discover the flavours of Australia’s craft gin industry.
At Anther they encourage guests to be curious about local flavour experiences with hands-on exploration of native ingredients, delighting with tours, tastings and events.
Bellarine Distillery
The Bellarine Distillery was established in 2015 by Russell Watson & Lorelle Warren. It was the first Distillery on the Bellarine Peninsula and the first in the greater Geelong region since the closure of Corio Distillery in the 1980s. The venue opened to the public in March 2018.
The idea for the distillery originated – as most great ideas do – after a couple of alcoholic beverages. Having visited Scotland in 2012 and the romance of the highlands, the couple thought that starting their own distillery seemed like a good idea.
The original Teddy and the Fox Gin is an aromatic blend of six botanicals, juniper, coriander, orange, lemon myrtle, orris root and star anise and the recipe is a deeply guarded secret. There are three other unique gins prepared at Bellarine Distillery, each with their own special appeal.
Queenscliff Distillery
Back in 2017-18, distiller Tristan Bibby was working as the head chef of the Whisky Bar restaurant at the Queenscliff Brewhouse. Hosting frequently held dinners matched with quality spirits, from whiskies to gins, rums and wine, created Tristan’s full appreciation for distilling.
By May of 2018 it was suggested that Tristan learn how to distil with the goal to have the first product ready to release by Christmas. By November 2018, The Queenscliff Distillery’s hand crafted Queenscliff Dry and Navy were on the market for all to share.
Self-taught, Tristan aims for uniqueness in all that they release. He doesn’t want to just ‘fit in’, but stand out among the crowd. Queenscliff Distillery now produces five different gins including citrus, hibiscus and botanical.
Ceres Distilling Co
Ceres Distilling Co is a craft gin distillery in Grovedale, Geelong. It is a family-owned company named after the hamlet of Ceres, near Geelong, which has a rich agricultural history since farming began in 1830. The name pays tribute to Ceres the Roman Goddess of agriculture who blessed the annual grain harvests.
At Ceres Distilling Co their motto is to ‘distill with passion using the finest harvest ingredients environmentally and sustainably’. They also produce small batch vodka at the site. Visitors can view the distilling facilities, French Oak barrels and bottling line during a visit and tasting.
30 Acre Distillery
Thirty Acre Distillery is Bellarine Estates’ latest venture and captures the essence of Bellarine Estate’s vineyard by distilling their grapes to create Thirty Acre Gin. The true spirit of the field to flask begins by selecting only the finest grapes from the vineyards. Wild fermented, twice distilled, charcoal filtered and macerated with locally inspired botanicals to create a world-class gin.
The Thirty Acres Distillery Shaken Cocktails is a growing selection of boutique batched cocktails in single-serve, ready-to-drink bottles.
FarmDog Brewing @ McGlashan Estate
FarmDog Gin is part of the product range at Farm Dog Brewing which is operated by the daughters of McGlashan’s Estate owners Russell and Jan. Maddy and Jaimie have recently taken the reigns of the business and rebranded it the name of the new micro-brewery.
They distill their gin products, which includes Small Batch Gin, Pandan Gin and a seasonal Christmas gin, onsite at the property.
There is so much on offer at FarmDog Brewing. They brew their FarmDog label beer and FarmDog gin. They pour the McGlashan’s Estate award-winning wines and serve delicious, fun pizzas made onsite in the pizza oven.
