Five Central Coast families are joining forces - and finances - to bring a brewery dream to life at Morisset. It's called The Yard Brewery and Smokehouse and it will house Yard Kings Brewing Co.
"Some friendships within the group span more than 20 years. We're all neighbours in a tight-knit beach community and all five couples are happily married to their high-school sweetheart," Kate Alderding tells Weekender.
"We have 15 not-so-little kids between us and our weekends are spent surfing, hanging at the beach and drinking beers in each other's yards."
The idea for a brewery came about last year - you guessed it - over a beer or two in the backyard.
"Scott Robertson is leading the project as general manager. Together with his wife, Kim, the Robertsons have a successful track record as entrepreneurs, most recently owning and operating gyms," Alderding explains.
"When COVID hit, the stress of constantly changing restrictions and extended lockdowns extinguished the passion they held for the fitness industry and they began to crave a new opportunity.
"Scott, a long-time craft beer enthusiast, had dreamed of opening a microbrewery for many years. The group jumped at the idea and so the brewery research and planning began."
Each family (Alderding, Davies, McEwan, Robertson, Shiach-Wise) has an equal share in the business, and a representative from each family sits on the board of directors.
"Between us, we have diverse experience in both owning and running small businesses, as well as corporate roles within multinationals," Alderding says.
"The Australian craft beer industry has more than doubled in the last four years.
"Consumers in 2022 are seeking quality over quantity and are more likely to pick up a six-pack of independently brewed beers over a case of traditional mass-produced beer.
"Also, while we could see the growth in the segment, we just really love to drink craft beer [laughs]."
Finding the right location for their brewery was crucial. Morisset ticked all the boxes.
"Morisset has been identified as a key economic growth area within the Lake Macquarie region," Alderding says.
"An entertainment precinct - Cedar Mill - with the capacity to host 30,000 people at live events has been approved and will be built 400 metres from our taproom.
"Morisset will undergo an incredible transformation over the next three years and we're excited to be there."
Adam Wolfe has been appointed head brewer. He is a "dear friend" of the Alderding family who "cut his teeth" in the industry at Harpoon Brewery in Boston, Massachusetts. Wolfe then moved on to Europe, working at breweries in Amsterdam, Munich and Brussels.
"When talk of the brewery first began, there was only one person who we wanted to lead our brew team. Adam is a rising star in the brewing industry but most of all is the most lovely bloke whom we love and support," Alderding says.
Wolfe is passionate about pairing food with beer, which sits well with the founding group's shared love of American-style BBQ.
"We are regularly swapping recipes for sauces and rubs," Alderding says.
"Our menu will feature brisket burgers, pulled pork rolls with Memphis Mop Sauce, Loaded Kransky Dog and loaded fries, among other delicious bites.
"We've hired two local chefs who specialise in smoking and American-style BBQ. Our onsite smokehouse will be a big drawcard."
It may sound idyllic but Alderding says it hasn't all been smooth sailing.
"Nothing worth doing is ever easy and this journey sure as hell has come with challenges," she says.
"We've had to navigate steep learning curves, transitioning from friends and neighbours to business partners. Feeling out each other's strengths and working styles and finding our groove as a collective.
"Branding was especially tough. It took four months of iterations to get to a happy medium. Aligning the artistic vision of 10 men and women is no mean feat."
Then there are the challenges associated with a pandemic.
"Between material shortages, huge delays, price hikes, COVID, and the rainiest, stormiest year ever, it's been stressful to say the least," Alderding says.
"Every day we are flying by the seat of our pants, problem solving and putting out metaphorical fires.
"But as the space comes together, our dream is literally coming to fruition in front of our eyes and that view makes it all feel so worth it.
"It's an incredible feeling."
The Yard and Yard Kings Brewing Co. is expected to open in May. yardkingsbrewingco.com.au
