On Friday Oct 16th a small but select group of beer lovers were assembled at the Hemingways Brewery construction site to sample the very first batch of beer to present the style and taste of what is being proposed when they open in May 2016.

This first trial batch was brewed in their (small) prototype nano-brewery where at this early stage they can produce various types of beer to test and taste to ensure when they open the first range is as near perfect as any early development beers can be. And this small batch of IPA/Pale ale style was full of flavour and smooth across the palate and very moorish!

Also on hand for tasting on Friday were four proprietary bottled brands already on the market from other leading craft beer brewers that the Hemingways Brewery range of ales will be emulating at their launch.  They include a pilsner, a pale ale, an IPA and a dark lager.

Interestingly owners Tony Fyfe and Craig Parsell agreed that the dark lager would be a better choice to a more traditional stout in their launch range because the high temperature climate here in the far north is more amenable to lighter beers and the dark lager would present a perfect alternative for those who normally prefer a heavier darker stout.

Our tasting party included Mark Norman from H2O, a master home brewer in his own right, Rhys Bawden from Salsa who will be looking for a Salsa Ale to add to his current beer stocks at the restaurant, Longtime local Tony McGrath from Pink Real Estate and Tara Bennett EO from TPDD who has made it very clear that this project is a wonderful development for the Marina and is looking forward to helping with the tourism marketing campaign.

Tony and Craig have recently appointed an agency to prepare their style guide for the brewery which has embraced the Hemingway theme to generate a n atmosphere of ‘beers with a story’.

They are fashioning a family friendly venue to help parents relax and all other visitors find a place to settle in and enjoy. Their current catch phrase explains it all , “top notch tales with high class ales”.  And if the beers tasted on Friday are anything to go by, this will indeed be a major extension for Port Douglas attractions.

The Brewery is schedule to open in May 2016.