Moo Brew, the largest independent craft brewery in Tasmania, is marking its 18th anniversary this month with a celebratory bash at its petite brewery, Manky Sally’s.
As Moo Brew embraces adulthood, it remains steadfast in its commitment to creativity, quality, and a profound passion for the art of brewing.
Backed by a host of accolades, Moo Brew’s core range, limited seasonal releases, BREW series, and Sally’s experimental brews are celebrated for their quality and distinctive character. Eighteen years after the first bottle cap was popped, the foundational principles of Moo Brew’s success—daring to be different, unwavering quality, and a dash of eccentricity—remain intact.
Moo Brew, owned by Mona’s David Walsh, predates the unveiling of the Museum of Old and New Art in 2011. Its origins trace back to Walsh’s discovery of a beer bottle he admired while travelling abroad, inspiring him to establish a brewery to fill it.
In 2005, this elegant and diminutive brewery initially found its home at Moorilla Estate in Berridale, one of Tasmania’s oldest wineries, which Walsh had acquired in the mid-1990s and fondly named ‘Moo Land,’ giving rise to the name Moo Brew.
The renowned Australian artist John Kelly was commissioned to design Moo Brew’s iconic cans, featuring imagery that rebels against the perceived corporatization of art, showcasing elements of the Australian Arts Council logo.
This marriage of art and yeast quickly outgrew the Berriedale brewhouse, leading to a move to its purpose-built Bridgewater facility in 2011. Moo Brew embarked on a mission to craft the finest versions of classic beers, infusing them with unique twists and alterations.
Moo Brew’s latest endeavour, the luxury dive bar and taphouse on Hobart’s Salamanca strip known as Manky Sally’s, opened in early 2023. The petite brewery enables the Moo Brew team to take risks in brewing, experimenting with flavour combinations and embracing their wildest ideas.
Managing Director Lauren Sheppard, said, “Eighteen years of independent local craft brewing is a remarkable milestone. With so few breweries able to claim this title, we’re filled with pride. This coming of age is made even sweeter with the opening of Sally’s, allowing us to showcase the very best of Moo Brew.”
Head Brewer Jack Viney adds, “Moo Brew’s dedication to the classics and a thirst for experimentation grant us the freedom to create, disrupt, and break the rules when the moment is right. I’m thrilled to lead a brewery that is proudly local, unpretentious, and committed to brewing exceptional beers from Tasmania.”
