“We’re trying to bring a lot of activity and a lot of atmosphere into this area, where people might only think you can get in Salamanca or North Hobart, we want to provide incredible food and service that’s in a space that has so much potential. “And to move that barrier or break down that barrier in people’s minds is really important to us.” Brewlab’s ‘gypsy’ microbrewery is also set to be a key plank in helping any aspiring craft beer makers get a foot into the industry by alleviating the high costs of starting their own business.
“The idea is that he can be our kind of consultant, he’s the brewer, and we can now get people coming in. They come in with a recipe and give it to him - people that couldn’t normally afford to get into the craft brewing industry, just with the start-up costs and everything. “This is a way for them to kind of get into the industry and see if it’s for them without spending, 20, 30, $40,000 on equipment. “We’re also looking at courses as well so people can come in, not necessarily people that want to get into the craft beer industry, but are just interested in the process, they can come in and help us brew.” A spin off for potential brewers is seeing their products served in Brewlab, a feature that Van Tuil believes only adds to the experience for the customer and, in turn, for the local community.
“Russell has taken that on, and we got Tim Byrne from Big Red Brewing, he commissioned all the equipment for us,” Lawrence says.
VENUE FEATURE: BREWLAB
Creating a hub outside of traditional hospitality hotspots like Salamanca and North Hobart has been a major driving force behind the owners of Brewlab jumping headfirst into southern Tasmania’s latest craft beer offering D ERWENT Park might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of a craft beer precinct. But for Lesley Van Tuil and Dave Lawrence, Gepp Parade on the outskirts of Hobart could be the first of a wave of offerings that help turn the region into the next must visit area. A little over a month since opening, Brewlab is now in full swing with the bar-café serving both American and Australian style burgers, a plethora of side options and a rotating roster of locally crafted tap beers. Upstairs a generous space can be used for private functions or meetings, an outdoor area has recently added live music for some laid-back Sunday sessions while a ‘gypsy’ microbrewery is also on site, which will allow Brewlab to not only host training courses and team building sessions but provide an avenue for budding beer brewers to hire the space to test the market.
Van Tuil and Lawrence, who have vast experience in hospitality, met while working together at The Den and have been blown away by the response they have received at Brewlab since throwing out the welcome mate. “We were asked to come and start this business up about a year and a half ago… the vision was not ours so we can’t really take credit necessarily for the location but our business partner Russell [Kelly] and a couple of his friends were here one day on the site, stopped and had a coffee and they thought ‘geez, this would be a nice place to have a beer,” Van Tuil says. “We obviously believe a lot in the location, we believe in the business and we believe in the branding and the community. “Craft beer isn’t necessarily a revolution any more but this building and this space is a revolution to the area because we want to provide a level of service and quality that isn’t available out here yet. “People think, oh where are you? Goodwood? Lutana? It’s so far away.
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