In the warm embrace of early summer, Sailors Grave Brewing officially opened Dunetown last week, unveiling its long-anticipated expansion just in time for the tourist season.
Located on the Marlo Plains, the new brewery combines a rich family history, innovative brewing practices and a commitment to community.
Dunetown gets its name from this very location given the brewery’s site is in the lee of the tertiary and secondary dunes. It’s also a nod to the little sea shanty village that existed there between the 1920s and 1980s where co-owner, Gab Moore’s grandpa, Jim Nixon, had a house. Gab spent many summers growing up in that spirit of freedom and community.
Sailors Grave Brewing, known for its bold and locally inspired beers, had outgrown its original butter factory site. The vision for Dunetown took shape with the help of mentor Dr Nicola Watts, and the project gained momentum through initiatives like the ACRE Breakout Accelerator Program and support from the Latrobe Valley Authority.
A $2.35 million grant from the Victorian Government through Regional Development Victoria brought the dream closer to reality. However, the journey was far from smooth. The 2019/20 bushfires came dangerously close to the site and subsequent economic challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic saw the project’s initial $3 million budget balloon to $6 million.
Despite these hurdles, co-owners Gab and Chris Moore pushed forward.
“We overcame every challenge thrown at us because we believed in this vision,” Chris said.
Dunetown stands as a testament to the brewery’s commitment to sustainability and innovation. The new facility boasts six times the brewing capacity of the original site, alongside a hospitality venue, a malting facility, a barrel room, a food preparation area and a cool ship room.
Sustainability is central to the design, with renewable energy, reticulated water systems and collaborative efforts with businesses such as Snowy River Seeds to utilise local grains in their brewing process.
With Dunetown now open, visitors can look forward to an expanded range of Sailors Grave’s inventive beers, each inspired by the natural beauty of East Gippsland with a menu of authentic Mexican to boot. The brewery’s blend of creativity, sustainability and history ensures it will be a summer destination for locals and tourists alike.
