And Why This Super Chilled Craft Brewery In Mittagong Has Become A Local Favourite
For the last seven years, Eden Brewery in Mittagong has been punching above its weight in the world of independent craft beer brewing.
We love seeing a local biz kick some serious goals [and make beer!].
The Fold chatted with Eden owner and brewer, Jacob Newman about all the super awesome things going on at Eden and found out loads of stuff!
1 // They sell super cool growlers
How good is it to help the environment while you’re kicking back having a beer or two? It’s a win win, we reckon. That’s why we love Eden Brewery growlers.
“We believe in being environmentally friendly at Eden, and the growler is essentially a keep-cup for a 6 pack of beer, right?” says Jacob.
Right!
“Recycling is great, and we do that with our bottles but with the growlers, you can reuse which is even better.”
Two sizes are available – the bigger version (1.98 litres) or the dainty version at just under a litre – which you can simply fill on up at Eden.
“The beer in your growler is brewery fresh,” Jacob points out.
“It hasn’t been sitting in bottles for three months in storage and it’s made right here in this room.”
So do you drink it all at once?
“It’s encouragable and condonable to drink it all in one sitting! The big growler is about the same as a 6 pack of beer, so ideal for two people at a barbecue.”
“If you don’t have any friends, you can buy the smaller one and drink it yourself!”
2 // They’re open longer and later
“We have an extended licence which means we can stay open for longer, and sell wine and spirits from other producers,” says Jacob.
“Our onsite food truck Boozy Burgers, live music and of course, the awesome beer [and now local wine] means the brewery can become a destination for people keen to kick back and relax.”
“We want people to come in, hang out with their mates, listen to some great music, try some craft brew and grab something to eat,” Jacob says.
“The environment we’re creating here is all about good conversations and good beer. It’s low energy and super chilled.”
3 // They launched Renegade Spirits in 2021
Jacob has teamed up with Timothy Roberts and Samuel Perez to bring a unique and creative approach to this new venture.
They’re weaving the spirit of the Highlands into their very own range of spirits, with ingredients sourced sustainably and locally.
In the current range, you’ll find Australian Plum Gin, Strawberry Gum + Blood Lime Gin, their Signature Dry Gin, Organic Vodka, Moonshine, Lime Cello and Orange Cello.
They taste as good as they sound!
4 // They serve up local wines
“We recognise not everyone is as into beer as we are, so thanks to our licence we can offer up wine options for those that still want to hang out with their craft beer drinking friends and have a wine instead!” says Jacob.
“We’re passionate about being local. That’s who we are and what our business is built on, so selling wines from local boutique wine producers is part of that,” Jacob explains.
They’ve also got a mighty tasty range of house-made organic soft-drinks for anyone takin’ a night off from tipple. We’re major fans of the Strawberry Limeade.
5// The Boozy Burgers food truck at Eden Brewery is beer and burger heaven
Boozy Burgers is at Eden Brewery five days a week – Wednesdays to Sundays – with a menu of all sorts of burgers to get your mouth watering (if the beer hasn’t already done that for you!).
With a tasty selection of beef, chicken and mushroom burgers they’re the perfect partner for your fresh brewski. They also have regularly changing special burgers that they share on their socials so there’s always something new to try.
Sounds [and tastes] good to us!
6 //There are plenty of fun events and activities
On most Friday nights the team at Eden Brewery showcase local performers who share their original music and awesome talent with brewery-goers.
“It’s such a great way to showcase local + visiting muso’s,” Jacob explains.
“If you’re up for a big night out, Eden isn’t the place to go – there’s loads of awesome local places to go for high-energy music and a busy atmosphere.”
The team also runs special events like trivia nights, board games nights, markets and seasonal festivities.
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7 // Become a lumberjack right next door.
Just down from Eden Brewery, you’ll find the epically awesome Highlands Hatchet’s. Here you can unleash your inner lumberjack by hurling axes at the targets and scoring points against your mates.
Afterwards, you can make your way down to Eden Brewery for some post-game beers and bites. A great way to reminisce on all the great and not-so-great throws that happened and keep the good times going.
Eden and Highlands Hatchets offer packages for groups as well as date nights and corporate events… what a way to team bond!
8 // They make seasonal brews that are crazy delicious
In an awesome local collab with Gumnut Patisserie at Christmas, Eden created Gingerbread Ale, an easy-to-drink nod to the festive season.
“We’re really good friends with Gumnut who are across the road from us. We send a lot of beer over there for them to use – their Eden pie is made with our Birch Wit Witbier – and they send a lot of stuff over here too,” says Jacob
And as a bonus, The Gingerbread Ale is one of those beers that is 100% NSW grown – sooooo goood!
They also whip out other delish special releases throughout the year like ANZAC bikkie beers, Mexican lagers and brews inspired by their super friendly staff.
Keep an eye out for their next release, we’re sure it’ll be a hit!
9 // They make Gluten Reduced beer
Such great news for our lovely friends who have previously had to miss out or minimise the amount of beer they drink because of the impact of gluten.
Jacob and the team have been working on a special side project and are getting great results!
“There’s a process in the brewing we’ve been working on that has allowed us to significantly reduce the gluten in our beer,” says Jacob.
“The beers are exactly the same. There is no noticeable change. Actually, if anything, the taste has improved!”
“It’s a great option – along with the wines we’re now offering – for those who need to keep an eye on their gluten consumption.”
10 // There is a strong focus on sustainability and protecting the environment
“We feel really strongly about being environmentally friendly in all we do,” says Jacob.
“We use 100% green energy and follow renewable practices with all our water usage.”
The growlers are another way the team practice what they preach, and they partner with other businesses that have a similar environmentally-friendly focus.
“We work with Voyager Craft Malts, which is a small family business in Griffith. He’s making the most sustainable grain in the world, which is pretty amazing. We have a strong partnership with those guys.”
11 // Eden Brewery is truly independent and everyone is on the tools!
With loads of big companies seeing the value in the explosion of craft and independent brewing, many boutique brewers have been snapped up by larger companies.
“We’re proud to say we’re truly independent. And staying that way is something we’re passionate about. I 100% own the business, there’s no other investors – nothing. So any money we make is invested back into the business, the employees and mostly spent locally,” says Jacob.
Good point!
“We’re incredibly inefficient but that’s part of our charm,” he laughs.
“We need seven staff to make 3000 litres per week. Tooheys need one staff member to make 20 times that in an hour. But we like to think that what we create is unique and it’s the story behind the business that our customers engage with.”
As for the Eden Brewery team, they’re quite the talented bunch!
“All our staff are also brewers. There is no one behind the bar that is also not in the brewhouse.”
That means anyone you speak to has had a personal hand in making the beer you’re drinking.
Cool, hey?
Everyone does kegs, everyone does packaging, everyone does brewing.
“We’re all interchangeable. When Jake pours the beer for you, he’s had a personal part in making that pale ale he’s giving to you so he’s more invested in presenting it properly and you enjoying it.”
“That makes a huge difference to our customers and our awesome employees.”
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