On the eve of Canberra Beer Week and 18 months ahead of schedule BentSpoke has this week picked up the keys to their new packaging facility and venue in Mitchell. It heralds a move into the wider distribution of their popular Canberra born and brewed beers and cider in line with their goal to become one of Canberra’s local beer brands.

After the opening of the Braddon brewery in June 2014, BentSpoke quickly earned itself a place in Canberran’s hearts producing 160,000L and 31 different varieties of beer in it’s first year of operation to critical acclaim picking up several awards along the way including the Australian Hospitality Association (ACT) Best New Venue.

“Packaging was always a dream for us” said owner and head brewer Richard Watkins. “Canberrans enthusiastically supporting locally made product has encouraged us to set-up the Mitchell facility sooner than we’d anticipated, which in turn will allow BentSpoke beer to be readily available throughout the region.”

BentSpoke will soon take delivery of a canning line and more fermentors for installation at Mitchell. Brewing will continue to take place at the Braddon brewery, with a new brewery expected to come online later next year. The decision to can instead of bottle was an easy one for Watkins.

“Advances in can technology over the past decade have been fantastic” he said. “Cans cut out 100% of the light which means the beer will arrive to you in the best possible condition. They also chill down faster, and are more friendly to take into the great outdoors, which we’re blessed with in abundance here in Canberra. You can recycle almost 100% of a can too, so it really was an easy choice” he said.

L-R: BentSpoke Owners Richard Watkins and Tracy Margrain at the Mitchell facility

Whilst there are several other brewers and breweries presently operating in the ACT, BentSpoke’s beers and cider will be the only products both brewed and packaged in the ACT for retail sale, something which Watkins is very proud of. “We’re Canberra born and brewed!” he said.

‘The Cannery’, as the Mitchell facility will be known, will also be relaxed family friendly venue.

“We’re excited that the Cannery will be a conveniently located venue for the people of Gungahlin and the Inner North to come and enjoy a beer and something to eat” said fellow owner Tracy Margrain. “It’ll be easy for Gungahlin residents to top up a Traveller or grab a six-pack on their way home from the city” said Margrain.

More details regarding the venue, and the products which will be packaged will be announced in the coming months.

BentSpoke Brewing Co.’s new packaging facility and venue is located at 61-79 Lysaght St, Mitchell, ACT.