Hop Nation Brewing Co. opened its new Footscray, Melbourne brewery to the public for the first time on Saturday July 23.

L-R: Sam Hambour and Duncan Gibson

Founded by Sam Hambour and Duncan Gibson, Hop Nation released its first beer, The Fiend IPA in May 2015.

The company had been contract brewing at Cavalier and Hawkers prior to establishing its own brewery in Footscray this month.

“We chose Footscray to land in as it’s a great up and coming area that we saw as under-served for beer-loving folk,” Hambour and Gibson said.

“The space we are leasing was built in the 1880s and was originally used as a whale fat candle and wax factory back in the day.

“It boasts incredible exposed brick walls and high framed ceilings and as we work to install our modern brewing equipment we hope to maintain a nod to the past and the historical relevance of the space,” they said recently.

Hop Nation acquired its 12-hectolitre brewhouse from New Zealand’s Sawmill Brewing, which has upgraded to a larger system.

Rotating food trucks currently service the venue during its limited operating hours, but the company ultimately aims to open its own restaurant on-site.

Hop Nation is at 6/107-109 Whitehall Street, Footscray and is currently open from 3pm to 10pm Friday, 12pm to 10pm Saturday and 12pm to 6pm Sunday.