Gold Coast’s home-grown foodie scene has been bounding from strength to strength in recent years, and we are about to add some serious cred to the mix with TWO new craft breweries to open within the next few months.
A name that’s quickly become familiar among local beer connoisseurs, Black Hops is the brainchild of three local lads, Michael McGovern, Dan Norris, and Eddie Oldfield. Head brewer, Michael has been in the beer business for 10 years, long nurturing his dream to open a brewery. It was late 2014 when talks with mates at the pub (as you do) turned serious, and they began the pursuit of turning that hop-filled dream into a reality.
For the past year or so, Black Hops has contracted equipment and space at another brewery, at first experimenting and perfecting their recipes, soon after, releasing kegs which have been available in select bars on the Coast and in Brisbane throughout 2015.
Perhaps you’ve already had the pleasure of tasting one of Black Hops frosty brews, on occasion pouring at local craft beer bars including Ze Pickle, House of Brews, Burgster, and Bine. Names such as Beach House Ale, Gold Coast Pale Ale, and 30 Cal, ooze tribute to the golden Coast where the idea for the brand was born.
Today, stage two of the lads’ vision is quickly coming to fruition.
Inside the walls of a Burleigh warehouse, tucked a few blocks back from the main thoroughfare, the team has been transforming a vacant space into a hops workshop to epitomise every man’s dream.
When the micro brewery opens in a few short months, GCers will have the chance to knock on the cellar door, with takeaway sales of craft beer goodness direct from the source, or stop by for a tipple in the intimate tasting room.
What’s really neat about the venture, is that portions of the project have been financed through crowdfunding. Whereby members of the public can throw their support behind the team, to help generate the additional funds needed for infrastructure (such as a bottling machine). By “investing” anywhere from $10 to $5000, funders can get anything from a high-five in thanks, their name scribed inside a dedicated book chronicling Black Hops’ journey and experiences, limited edition logo t-shirts, and brewery tours, to hot ticket items like access to the first cases of beer off the production line or invites to the launch party.
It seems locals are thirsty not only for craft beer, but to see local business succeed. Putting their money where their mouth is, the initial 10 grand target was reached on day one of the campaign. Day ONE! It’s heart warming stuff.
The more cash to get thrown their way, the more awesome this beast will become. Turning into a locally-grown story we can all be proud of, not to mention benefiting from the tasty brews soon to be more readily available in bars and through take-home product. If you like what you are reading and are keen to jump aboard the beer-laden wagon, hop on over to their project page on Pozible.
And it appears the world is already standing up to take notice. In a huge boon for the new company, last year the boys were approached by Activision (just the biggest gaming entertainment brand in existence!) to create a promotional beer for blockbuster video game, Call of Duty: Black Ops III; receiving funding to brew and bottle Midnight Pale Ale for exclusive distribution at national launch events. And the successes don’t end there, with Black Hops recently recognised as the 13th best brewer in the country, out of a field of 130.
Cheers to an incredible first year fellas! We can’t wait to watch as your journey continues to unfold.
Photo Credit: Claire Dryden