Hobart Brewing Co prepares for next chapter
Hobart Brewing Co is preparing to close the doors on its long-running Red Shed venue at Macquarie Point, with the brewery set to relocate to a new purpose-built site on Argyle Street in North Hobart.
“We had our big farewell to the space in February when the Red Square closed down. It was the biggest day the brewery taproom has ever seen with thousands of people swinging by for one last beer in the beer garden,”
The move marks the end of a decade at the waterfront location, which has become synonymous with Hobart Brewing Co’s identity and community presence.
Nick Devereux, Marketing Manager & Licensee at Hobart Brewing Co, told Beer & Brewer the relocation had ultimately been driven by both operational limitations and the redevelopment plans for the Macquarie Point precinct.
“Our move is a move born out of necessity. For quite some time we’ve been pushing the boundaries of how much beer we can squeeze out of our old historic shed on the waterfront, but the news that the Tasmanian Government were building a stadium on top of our current site has forced our hand to find a bigger and better production facility right now,” he said.
Reflecting on the significance of the Red Shed, Devereux said the venue had played a defining role in the brewery’s story over the past 10 years.
“The Red Shed has been our home for the last 10 years. Its seen so many staff members, hundreds upon hundreds of brews, live music gigs, staff weddings, festivals, wakes…. It’s been a huge part of our DNA, our brand and our story, as well as a place for both our staff and our community to come together.
“To see the shed and the Red Square go is a huge loss but we’re flipping the negative to a positive with our move out to North Hobart.”
While the farewell is emotional for the team, Devereux said the brewery has long understood that its time at Macquarie Point would eventually come to an end.
“I think we’ve all known the day would come for quite some time – so none of us are shocked that it’s finally happened. The Mac Point area has been marked for development the entire time we’ve been there so as much as we’re disappointed to go it’s not a surprise.
“At the moment we’re all too busy with the move for it to properly sink in – but I think there will be a few emotions out on display when we pull the last beer.”
The new Argyle Street brewery will represent a significant shift in format and atmosphere for the business, moving away from the expansive outdoor setup that defined the Red Shed years.
“The Argyle Street brewery is our switch from a huge outdoor community space to a more cosy, curated space. Folks can expect the same rustic vibes and good beer that we’re famous for – but all done a little bit more deliberately,” Devereux told Beer & Brewer.
“It’s not often you get to reimagine your business 10 years after it opened its doors and recreate it with a blank slate. I hope people will like what they see (and drink).”
Beyond the customer experience, Devereux said the relocation is expected to significantly improve brewery operations and production capabilities.
“The move and remodel of the brewery will set us up to make more beer, more efficiently. It gives the brewers a space to work that’s not ad hoc on the side of an old shed, and is purpose built. I think we’ll see the quality of the beer rise even higher,” he said.
While Hobart Brewing Co held its major farewell event for the Red Square beer garden earlier this year, regulars are still being encouraged to stop by the venue before the final pour next Tuesday.
“We had our big farewell to the space in February when the Red Square closed down. It was the biggest day the brewery taproom has ever seen with thousands of people swinging by for one last beer in the beer garden,” Devereux said.
“With the loss of the beer garden we’re inviting everyone down in their own time over the next few days so say goodbye for the space. The big event we’re currently planning for will be the opening of the new North Hobart site mid-year!”
