Breweries popping up at Broulee, Moruya and Bodalla

Australian Community Media is excited to share a little sneak peek of the breweries coming to Broulee, Moruya and Bodalla.

They are each independently owned and hope to form a future "beer trail", including the already established brewery, Big Niles at Dalmeny.

It started as a conversation after their weekly tennis match, four mates would get together over a beer and talk about opening a brewery - "It's exactly what we need."

Since the bushfires and pandemic, the two couples kicked into gear to turn their ideas into reality.

After talking about it for almost a decade, they have decided to bring a brewery to their hometown of Broulee.

Partners in business are Rodney and Simone Quinton and Mark and Lily Brain. The brew masters and brew mistresses felt the community needed a hub to relax in good company over specialty beer and food.

"Since bushfires and COVID, it has only increased the need in the community for this business model; bringing locals together, sharing good food, beer and wine in a relaxed setting," Mr Brain said.

"The timing in our mind is perfect and why we are pushing forward."

"If anything it's needed even more, a place where people can gather safely," Ms Quinton added.

"Everyone is so excited. People know what we are doing and I am blown away with how positive everyone is."

The Brewhouse will be built on a vacant block between Fraser-Gray Real Estate and the Broulee Beach Pharmacy.

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Ms Quinton said 71 Coronation Drive is about to turn into a "special space".

"There's going to be a big shed with nice gardens, to create that mix of a brewery but restaurant feel," Ms Quinton said.

"It will be an industrial but coastal vibe, pushing people into that outdoor environment," Mr Brain added.

"It's definitely all about sunshine, good vibes, good tunes and that low key atmosphere."

A Sydney chef was also set to return to his coast home to offer tapas-style food at the Brewhouse.

Ms Quinton said the star of the brewery is a 1947 Bedford truck named Betty.

Betty is a mobile bar that will live at the Brewhouse and open for use during busy hours.

Inside the shed, their plan was to put on 10 variations of beer over 10 taps.

"There will be something there for everybody," Mr Brain said.

READ MORE: Talk beer with Bruce at Big Niles clubhouse

The Broulee Brewhouse is scheduled to open in time for Christmas.

In the meantime, Mr Brain said the first three batches of beer were ready and Betty the truck will be able to start trading in the interim.

"We should have three beer styles ready to go within the next two-to-three weeks," he said.

He said they will continue brewing in their system off-site, near Ulladulla, until it can be moved into the shed.

Stay up-to-date on the Broulee Brewhouse via their Facebook page.

The Blue Earth Cafe at Bodalla has been undergoing a complete makeover.

Instead of growing veggies to cook with, Eric Blue has planted rows of hops to do a batch of his very own beer.

"It might just be enough to do a batch soon," he said.

Over the past three years, Mr Blue and his wife Kirsty have been busy converting the cafe into a brewery.

"It has taken time to line all the ducks up to get a project like this moving," Mr Blue said.

To fund the business, they sold their home and have begun building a new one behind their soon-to-be brew shed.

Mr Blue was excited about his career change. For the past ten years, he operated Blue Earth cafe with his wife and brother, Anton. He was ready for a change and to follow his passion.

He said beer culture has changed greatly and wanted to be part of it.

"There's a shift in culture, similar to what happened with coffee, there's a shift with booze," he said.

Mr Blue said many prefer to experience the flavours and variety of beers rather than just "drink to get drunk".

"What you get at a brewery, you can't buy in the bottle shop," Mr Blue said.

He loves taking risks, creating batches that are far different from what bigger companies would do.

"I can make a beer that's a bit on edge, that's new and different," he said.

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Mr Blue has brewed for the past six years and recently took on a course at Ballarat, graduating with a diploma in malting and brewing.

"Understanding the science behind it is important for less errors and good quality beer," he said.

Malt Man plans to open late September or early October with at least three beers on tap.

"Until we are more established, we can scale things up a bit and buy more equipment," Mr Blue said.

He already has batches ready, waiting to be moved on site. The shed has been built and the brewing system is ready to be moved in.

"It's a smaller system which is retrofitted milk vats," Mr Blue said.

"It's a simple one which is very easy to use.

"You don't need anything too complex to make a good beer."

Mr Blue said his beer had a European influence.

"I do like Euro beers, but do American style as well," he said.

"They are simpler and subtle.

"Maybe it's my Estonian heritage predisposed in me," he laughed.

"I know what I like and look forward to seeing what everyone else likes."

He said there will be finger food to compliment the beer, and for the non-drinkers, in-house roasted coffee and cake. Follow Malt Man Brewing for updates on Facebook.

The Quantum Brewery will be established under the banner of an exciting new business, the Moruya Artisan Factory.

The development application was approved last week for a micro-craft brewery, cafe, bed and breakfast and cheese production facility to operate on Hawdon Street, Moruya.

The old Cheddar House cheese factory is a heritage-listed building, an icon to the town, that is nestled in residential Moruya.

Owner Sue Melotte has semi-retired from the Army and fell in love with the building and its story. She wanted to share it with locals and tourists.

Ms Melotte was excited for the Moruya Artisan Factory to become a popular destination.

"Moruya is just a sleepy hollow, if we aren't a destination for someone - we will be nothing," she said.

Her plans are not just for tourists, she wants to involve locals as much as she can.

"I am not doing it for the tourism, I want to help Moruya become something - the factory is an icon and people should enjoy it," Ms Melotte said.

There are plans in place for the renovation and Ms Melotte was excited to share sustainable ways she wants to operate. Story to come.