ABOUT US
Independent. Local. Built to Last.
Bendigo Brewing was founded by locals who believed in doing beer differently — with quality, community, and staying power at the core. After years of planning, dreaming, and refining recipes on a 20L system, we opened our doors in 2024 with a clear vision: to bring independent beer back to Bendigo in a venue that locals can proudly call their own.
Our space is relaxed, family-friendly and full of flavour — a place for good food, great beer, and even better conversations. You’ll find us across from Dai Gum San, in a venue steeped in history and brewing once more.
Our Head Brewer
Evan, our co-owner and Head Brewer, has been brewing since 2008 — and obsessing over the details ever since. His approach is equal parts instinct, skill, and a deep respect for ingredients. His philosophy? Great beer doesn’t start with recipes — it starts with listening to the grain, the yeast, the process.
Our Brewing Practice
Slow, considered and full of character — our approach to brewing is all about quality over convenience. From open fermentation and house-grown yeast to traditional techniques like decoction mashing and cask conditioning, we take our time because it makes a difference.
Our Beer
We brew bold, expressive beers using traditional methods and the best local ingredients we can get our hands on. From crisp lagers to juicy hazies, every batch is brewed on-site using our own house yeast, Venus — and we take our time doing it.
Our approach is hands-on and always evolving, but the goal stays the same: create beers with depth, drinkability, and a story worth sharing.
History
The location of our brewery and taproom is steeped in history.
It is situated on the banks of Bendigo Creek in the traditional and enduring homelands of the Dja Dja Wurrung people.
Bendigo Brewing sits atop the foundations of the Hunter Bros Kent Brewery which operated from the 1850s until the 1910s within Bendigo’s original Chinatown precinct. Brewing thrived in Bendigo’s Chinatown and adjacent Irishtown districts until tough economic conditions, the outbreak of war, and a rise in prohibitionist sentiment forced the closure of many formerly successful businesses, including the Kent Brewery, at the beginning of the 20th century.
At some point after its closure, a fire destroyed much of the Kent Brewery’s original structure. In 1978, Palmer’s Gym was established in some of the brewery’s remaining buildings and by 1980 its success drove the construction of the warehouse that now houses stage one of Bendigo Brewing.
Today, our front doors open to the Dai Gum San precinct, including the Golden Dragon Museum and Chinese Gardens, within easy walking distance of many of Bendigo’s other attractions.
Beginnings
Bendigo Brewing's story starts in the early 2010s…
When passionate locals advocating for a better regional drinking culture and support of independent Australian breweries came together to start an annual beer festival called Bendigo on the Hop.
From this community-focused beer festival in the CBD came the concept of a brewery and venue for Bendigo, something the city lacked at the time. After overcoming many challenges, Bendigo Brewing opened in November 2024.
Our Bendigo Brewing founders celebrating ** [In order of photo] Trev Birks, Steve Abbott, Hamish Riley, Alyssa Tucker, Jo Doye and Adrian Doye.
The Board
Behind Bendigo Brewing is a board of passionate locals, business minds, and lovers of beer.
Together, they guide the vision, growth and direction of our venue — with a strong commitment to the independent beer industry and creating community-first spaces. Bendigo Brewing is governed by a board of directors who meet regularly and hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) to ensure transparency, accountability, and long-term sustainability of the business.
