After nearly three years toiling to see their dream come to fruition, Dungog’s boutique brewery owners have produced their first brews.
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Jimmy Cox and his partner Haley Collis bought the old mower shop on the corner of Dowling Street and Mackay Streets with the intention of creating a boutique brewery.
After meeting council and licensing conditions the couple opened the doors of the Tinshed Brewery in late October last year with the local community quick to embrace the concept.
“The reaction has been very positive, with people very happy to see something different in town, it’s a real social atmosphere,” said Mr Cox.
Mr Cox had been a butcher at Pete’s Country Cuts for nine years followed by a stint in the mining industry before he realised his dream of opening his own boutique brewery. In a quirky twist, the site was once home to a butcher shop.
“I’ve been home brewing since I was 18 and I volunteered at the Commercial Hotel in Morpeth which I really enjoyed,” he said.
“The hardest part (about brewing) is keeping the balance right.
“A change in temperature by just one per cent can drastically alter the taste of the beer.”
With an extensive plumbing infrastructure beneath the premises and sloping floors, it’s a purpose-built brewery which is rather rare according to Mr Cox.
The 600-litre system can produce 10 kegs per batch. Mr Cox said once the brewery is running at its full potential he hopes to be producing three batches a week.
The first two brews were released on January 6 with another following a week later. Summer Blonde is a crisp clean ale, Smoked Porter is a full bodied beer with only 3.5% alcohol and Amber Ale is a malt driven beer with biscuit flavours.
Mr Cox said he couldn’t pick a favourite from his newest brews.
“I rarely drink the same drink, I like to try new ones,” he said.
The beer will be sold exclusively at the Tinshed with plans for Settlers Arms to also have them on tap. Mr Cox hopes to attend beer festivals such as Morpeth’s Bitter and Twisted.