BOY could we do with a beer right now.
Here in the Hunter we're already spoilt for choice with FogHorn, Murray's, Rogue Scholar, Hope, Styx, Grainfed, Shout, IronBark Hill, just to name a few.
What's more, Newcastle's already thriving and the diverse craft beer scene is about to introduce several new players to the market.
The final touches are being laid to Modus Operandi's brewpub facility in Merewether Street, Merewether with co-founder Grant Wearin describing the 300-person venue's opening as "imminent".
The tapping of the first keg could even happen as soon as the end of COVID-19 lockdown, whenever that is.
"Were opening imminently, we're in the hands of the [NSW] government now," Wearin says. "We'll be opening very, very soon."
Almost from the moment Modus Operandi was launched by Wearin and his wife, Jaz, in 2014 in the Sydney northern beaches suburb of Mona Vale, they've made an impact on the competitive craft brewing market.
Modus Operandi was crowned champion small brewery just three months after opening due to their award-winning amber/dark ale and IPA at The Indies (formerly the Craft Beer Awards).
The honours continued when Modus Operandi won champion medium brewery (2015) and champion large brewery (2018).
The first beers at the new venue will be brewed in Mona Vale, but the entire range will soon be produced in Merewether. This includes the zero alcohol beer NORT, which earned Modus Operandi a $1 million federal government grant in June as part of the Manufacturing Modernisation Fund.
Wearin also says the Merewether brewpub will allow Modus Operandi to employ up to 50 people and expand their already extensive range with Newcastle-themed releases.
"There will be a huge weight off our shoulders in terms of flexibility with this online," he says. "We've been capacity constrained and knocking back accounts for years. Now we'll be able to do that. It not only means more beer, but more range of beers."
It not only means more beer, but more range of beers.
Grant Wearin, Modus Operandi
Across town the freshly-launched Steel City Beer Company is also pushing ahead with its expansion plans.
Steel City launched its lager in April and is about to add a pale ale to its range. There's also plans afoot to secure its own brewpub.
Steel City is exploring two sites around the Wickham and Mayfield area. Managing director Oliver Semken says they're searching for a venue that celebrates Newcastle's industrial past, but is also large enough for community events, fundraisers and live music.
"It's really about trying to find the right venue for us," Semken says. "We really want to make sure it's a success and make sure we don't outgrow it too quickly, so we're putting a lot of time and effort into finding the right location at the moment."
Semken says the goal would be to open a brewpub early next year and begin smaller runs of different products.
Semken is a part owner in Steel City, as is marketing director Ryan Ginns, brewing giant Lion and celebrity ambassadors - Knights greats Andrew and Matthew Johns, Danny Buderus, Kurt Gidley, and surfers Matt Hoy, Craig Anderson and Ryan Callinan.
Plans are also continuing for Broadmeadow's Thirsty Messiah brewery. Owner Thomas Delgatto recently lodged his third development application to the City Of Newcastle for the venue, situated at 140 Lambton Road - the former site of KTM Newcastle.
Delgatto says poor planning advice had slowed the DA process, but he remains committed to the venue, which will also serve coffee and food.
"We're still pressing on and we still wanna be part of the craft brewery community in Newcastle, but it's not been an easy journey," Delgatto says.
Can too much craft beer be a bad thing? Is there a concern the Newcastle market could be oversaturated in hops and malt?
Wearin doesn't think so.
"Breweries do their own thing and focus on what they're good at," he says.
You can raise a toast to that.
