The other day I saw a social media post by a "B Farm" at Bobs Farm. It looked familiar.
Intrigued, I dug a little deeper and discovered it was, in fact, the soon to be rebranded Murray's Brewery on Nelson Bay Road. It's going to be called B Farm.
A lot has changed since I last visited, and there are more changes to come.
"B Farm is the rebrand of the property and our broader brand. Murray's Craft Brewing Co is now one of the offerings at B Farm," Ashleigh Howe explained. She is the daughter of founder Murray Howe and B Farm's creative director.
"The brewing company will retain its name however that no longer pertains to the property. Our onsite distillery is Golden Age Spirits at B Farm."
There have been lots of changes at B Farm, which was established as a brewery in 2008 but now has a distillery, restaurants, a farm store and accommodation, and there are plenty more changes to come.
"The time has finally come for the big rebrand and the big launch," Howe said.
"I would say the biggest story is the unveiling of our new B Farm miniature Animal Nursery, Farmshop and Photo Studio. These experiences launch with a grand opening on the first weekend of the next school holidays at the end of September.
"The Farmshop houses an ice-creamery, an old-fashioned lolly store and bakehouse, homewares and gifts and a nursery potting shed with plants and market flowers available for sale on the weekends.
"Our new Animal Nursery is a paid walk-through experience where guests can encounter some unique and quirky animals including speciality Valais sheep, miniature donkeys, alpacas, goats, pigs, ponies and more. A core component of the animal nursery will be our photo studio where you can get up close and personal with our furry friends and have a photo taken."
Once just a brewery with a beer garden, B Farm now offers workshops, honey bee encounters, beer tastings and brewery tours, wine, spirit tastings and tours, a perfumery experience, mixology masterclasses, cooking classes ... the list goes on.
In addition to Restaurant William, which opened in 2022, there's also Agnes High Tea, which is served in a pretty glass conservatory; Murray's Beer Garden and its smokehouse; and picnic boxes for use on the grounds or further afield.
B Farm's Golden Age Spirits distillery is being used to craft artisan spirits from native botanicals, and there are various liqueurs, oils, wines, spritzes, teas, jams and chocolates made on-site, as well as the premium Darkdrop coffee range.
New glamping suites at B Farm are tucked away on the edge of the bush, offering views of the 50-hive apiary, and each open-plan suite combines a bedroom and sitting area with a wrap-around deck, outdoor soaking tub, private dressing room and ensuite bathroom. Bespoke cabins will open in 2025, featuring an open-plan bedroom with garden views, an ensuite and an outdoor bath.
Also available to book next year is Stella The Stargazer, a tiny house with a floating roll-out sleeping platform and access to the Stella Bathhouse (a woodfired Swedish-style sauna with two outdoor bathing tubs).
The Howe family have certainly been busy. I'll have more to share about the B Farm rebrand and grand opening soon.
