ENTERPRISE HITS SPIRITS

TOWNSVILLE’S craft beer maker, The Brewery, is adding a distillery to its facility that promises to add some unique North Queensland flavours to the traditional spirits many people enjoy.

The local business is launching The Rebel Spirit Company and putting the final touches to a state-of-the-art distillery being installed at its Flinders St premises.

Lachlan Ramm, who has led the project, said the distillery was the next step in its evolution.

“We have been producing our own local beers for 20 years. We thought we should step up the game and produce spirits as well,” Mr Ramm said.

“We are proud to be independent and proud to be North Queenslanders.”

A fully integrated distillery, imported from Germany, is being installed to produce gin, vodka, light and dark rum, bourbon and blood gin. The spirits will be bottled and distributed mostly in Queensland.

Mr Ramm said they were experimenting with some unique North Queensland flavours such as Burdekin plum and mango.

“We are putting our own twist on things, being creative and doing some things a little differently,” Mr Ramm said.

The Brewery produces its own lagers, pale ales and its premium Townsville Bitter.

Its restaurant has traded through the COVID-19 pandemic providing takeaway meals and, when restrictions were eased this month, dining for up to 10 people.

The distillery will add another string to its bow when restrictions are eased further.