The Good Life
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Who owns the breweries? By Simon Haslam Hopefully over Easter you discovered a rare craft beer, preferably brewed by an anarchist collective in a garage in Fitzroy or a previously unheard-of tribe of Taswegians, with some punny name like Scotchness Monster or Here we Joe Again.
Chocolate Lounge
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Billi’s Indian Authentic
But who really owns the craft beer industry? More than 170 beer and cider brewers are exhibiting at the GABS festival, for example, but large global brewers regularly buy out the small breweries, and also launch their own brands that, on the surface, look like small breweries. One hilarious example is 4 Pines, whose ‘Our Story’ starts with: ‘4 Pines was born more than a decade ago from a casual conversation between a father and son, post surf, who simply wanted an exceptional beer…’. It is owned by the world’s largest brewer, AB InBev, but its website still has a crafty oldtime font and plenty of heart-warming kooky messages about the community and workers (referred to as ‘our family’). Some businesses, such as New Belgium Brewing Co in USA, have taken the direction of employee ownership, and are 100 per cent employee owned. Local brewer Stone & Wood say they are inspired by the idea of being a village brewery, and part of their idea is that all their employees will become owners of the business in the future, alongside the founders. After a year with the brewery, you become eligible for the share offer, and they say 72 per cent of the team are now owners in the business.
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‘Our share scheme not only gives the team a sense of pride and ownership when they come to work each day, but it has the potential to generate a nest egg for them and their family over time,’ said managing director Ben Summons. ‘We believe that to create a sustainable business for generations to come, we all need to have skin in the game.’
Visit the local brewery
Indian Restaurant
carrying pallets of beer that ran off the Pacific Highway around Easter 2001. In the rush to clear the highway ahead of Easter traffic, the beer was simply cut from the trailer and let fall into the river, with the intention of salvaging it after the holiday. However, the locals wasted no time diving into the river to salvage whatever they could, with the whole event making an hilarious video that was a finalist in Tropfest 2002 (see https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnUe_8WS7xo). More info: Sat 14 April 11am–5pm, 35 Kite Cres, Murwillumbah. Bus timetable to be announced soon. See https://www.stoneandwood.com.au/murwillumbahbrewery-open-day-2018/.
April Spritz
If you’ve always wondered whether it would feel any good to throw in your job as a corporate bean-counter and go to work in a real brewery, you can go and check out the Stone & Wood Murwillumbah brewery on Saturday 14 April.
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It’s family friendly, with a kids’ entertainment area, jumping castle, face painting, local live music, art and market stalls and local food trucks JR Smokehouse and Juju’s.
OPEN TUESDAY– SUNDAY 4.30PM TO LATE CLOSED MONDAY
8 Wilfred St, Billinudgel • 6680 3352 BYO • Credit cards
There will, of course, be beers, as well as a coffee cart and nonalcoholic options, but when you tire of drinking beer, eating, and listening to music in the sun you can take a brewery tour. Beers will be $6, with a gold coin entry donation with all profits raised from them going to local charities. On offer will be the tribute to Murwillumbah Swamp Beer, which pays homage to a legendary local tale of a semitrailer
Looking for something to do that’s really not very much to do, on Saturday afternoons in April? The April sun from 4 till 6pm will be shining at Byron at Byron’s pop-up bar on the lawns near the pool, and you can just relax and unwind with some elegant and classic cocktails.
Eating Out Guide
Good Taste
echo.net.au/good-taste
BALLINA
BYRON BAY
Ballina RSL Club 1 Grant St, Ballina 6681 9500 www.ballinarsl.com.au Open 7 Days from 8am Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Snacks
Wharf Bar & Restaurant
Open 7.30am Daily. Open till late Thurs–Sun Coffee, breakfast, lunch & dinner, functions & weddings. Fully Licensed. 12-24 Fawcett St, Ballina 6686 5259 / 6685 6011
New Breakfast Menu Out Now 7 Days 8am to 11am Boardwalk Buffet Breakfast Every Sunday 8am to 10.30am Adult $19.90 Child U/12 $9.90 Under 5 Years Free
WATERFRONT DINING Come watch the boats go by and the dolphins play whilst you take in one of our SENSATIONAL SUNSETS
WharfBarBallina@gmail.com.au www.WharfBarBallina.com.au
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Slo-mo Joes
DAILY HAPPY HOUR FROM 3 TILL 5 PM
Open every day From 11am till late Corner of Fletcher St and Bay Lane, Byron Bay
Slow down & chill out! Immerse yourself in Slo-mo Joes relaxing vibes while you enjoy live music & delicious flavours inspired from around the world. There’s something for everyone; from slow-cooked meats to mouth-watering burgers and nutritious salads. Guaranteed to leave you wanting more!
6685 7502 IG - @slomojoes
Main Street Open 7 days 11.30am until late Call to make a reservation or for takeaway orders 18 Jonson Street 6680 8832
Treehouse on Belongil
BYRON BAY
Luscious Foods Mon-Fri 7.30am–3pm Open Friday nights 6–9pm Live music and BYO 1/6 Tasman Way, Byron Arts & Industry Estate BYO & RSVP 6680 8228
20 April 4, 2018 The Byron Shire Echo
Contemporary and Middle Eastern flavours • Breakfast and lunch • Wood-fired pizzas • Fresh juices • Great coffee www.lusciousfoods.com.au
Full Cocktail & Wine Bar. Extensive Menu Includes Tapas, Mains, Desserts and Famous Woodfired Pizzas. 25 Childe St, Byron Bay 6680 9452
Gourmet burgers created by chefs Cocktails, wine and beers served all damn day. Group bookings available, please email mainstreetburgerbar@gmail.com for reservations. Share plates, mains, desserts and famous Treehouse wood-fired pizza. Our kitchen is open all day and night. Presenting incredible original music in Byron’s most intimate atmosphere. Check our website or Facebook for the gig guide. facebook.com/treehouse.belongil treehouseonbelongil.com
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