May 28th, 2022Brew hub

Ballarat is positioning itself as a must-visit craft and small batch drink destination with a new hub for distilling and brewing.
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula announced a $450,000 investment from the
state government’s Regional Tourism Investment Fund to create the new hub – which will be a tourism drawcard for the region while creating more jobs.
The hub was the brainchild of the Hop Temple owners and will showcase the region’s boutique brews and spirits with a tasting area, cellar door, distillery tours and teaching spaces.
The project will support 14 jobs during construction and 32 jobs when complete.
Working closely with Federation University in Ballarat, it will also deliver a range of single to multi-day courses for spirit enthusiasts and up-skilling opportunities for local hospitality staff.
The hub will complement the Australian Craft Beer Centre of Excellence, which opened in April last year, ensuring Ballarat remains firmly on the foodie map for tourists and locals alike.
In 2019, Ballarat attracted 3.4 million domestic and international holidaymakers who stayed at least one night, contributing $613 million to the local economy.
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula said the project would create local jobs, support businesses, and attract more visitors to the Ballarat region. “It will encourage visitors to stay longer, spend more money and explore all that western Victoria has to offer.”