We’re in the golden age of indie craft distilleries, and there's a brand new spirits event coming to the north that’ll get you up close and personal with some of Australia’s freshest and most innovative producers.
On December 3, Northside Food Hall in Preston will fill with distillers and spirits-lovers for the first Welcome to Summer Craft Distillers Market.
Expect an afternoon of tastings, food and music, where you can meet a network of distillers, learn about their craft and discover new flavours and indie faves.
Northside Food Hall – Craft Distillers Market
- Saturday, 3 December, 12pm-3pm
- Northside Food Hall, 39 High St. Preston
- Tickets available here
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Jonathan Harris is a distiller of Saintlier and coordinator of the Craft Distillers Market. As Northside Food Hall will eventually house the still and cellar door for Saintlier, the venue is the perfect home for this spirited little event.
“There’s a balance between the distilleries that have been around for a while and who are fixtures at all the events, and the new ones who are making their debut,” he said. “We’ve got some pretty well-known distilleries there, like Noble Bootleggers,and Fossey’s from Mildura, who are opening up a distillery in Melbourne.”
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Jonathan moved into the professional spirits space after 2019. Perfecting his distiller’s art became a home Covid project that paid off.
“I’ve been in IT for most of my career, but shortly before Covid I did a distilling course in Tasmania with The Distiller’s Institute,” he said. “Since then I have stayed in contact with the people down there and my distilling network is getting wider. The community is very collaborative.”
And it’s this network that Jonathan tapped into when putting together the event. After visiting the Northside Food Hall and seeing potential, Jonathan approached owner-managers Chris Karamanidis (formerly of The Whisky Bar) and Chris Dalakouras with a proposal for a distiller’s market, showcasing a core group of indie producers.
“We’re going in as partners to open the Saintlier distillery there, so they were keen on the market,” Jonathan said. “Northside Food Hall is a bit of a hidden gem. It’s a great all-in-one venue, and both Chrises bring a huge amount of experience in venue management, so I don’t need to worry about that aspect at all. Music, food, drink people – everything you need to get right for a good party.”
This open, sunlit industrial space (a converted shoe factory) seats 250, including the mezzanine level. Good booze needs good food, and eats on market day will be served up by Chilli Burgers, Pizza Pizza Pizza, Itaewon and 2 Greeks. Having Long Rays on board as an event sponsor also means their premium craft tonics and mixers will be on-hand at the massive bar.
“It’s a full bar on the day, there’s a choice of everything,” Jonathan said. “Cocktails, mocktails, wine and craft beer as well. We’re organising for the distillers to have their products behind the bar, so people can ask for cocktails made with their chosen spirit.”
With warmer weather ahead and Christmas season looming, this market couldn’t come at a more perfect time.
“It’s a great chance to meet and talk with the distillers themselves and learn about what they’re doing,” Jonathan said. “We’re just running one session, so it’s relaxed. Tastings are included in the cost of admission, but it’s not a structured sit-down event. You can turn up, take it at your pace and have fun.”
The market is an opportunity to explore unique flavours from folks who are keen to do things differently.
The line-up of products from these innovative distillers will catch the eye of any craft spirit geek. Jonathan will be bringing his core gins and the new Burnt Fig Gin – his own spin on this popular fruit gin style.
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The award-winning Noble Bootleggers will have their full range, including the Christmas pudding gin, cherry gin, bottled cocktails and even amaro. Distilling wizards Fossey’s will be slinging their special Mildura-inspired flavour profiles as well as an Australian red gum rum and whiskies. Hillmartin and Naught will be displaying their full array of liquors, including delicious steeped and experimental gins (Sangiovese gin, anyone?).
New distilleries Loaded Barrel and Mates Gin (both from regional Vic) and Tan Lines (all the way from Townsville) will debut brand new spirits releases.
“It’s a great opportunity for new producers to share their spirits and stories,” Jonathan said. “Ultimately, it’s a distiller-led and distiller-managed event, and it’s all about supporting local and bringing people to the northside. Everyone’s so happy to be involved. We’re really looking forward to it.”
Grab your tickets here before they sell out!
This article was made in partnership with Northside Food Hall.
