Something’s brewing in this Inverloch shed

Shack Bay Brewing is turning an Inverloch industrial shed into a brewery and taproom, and they’re documenting the entire thing.

From gas connection to installing car park bollards themselves, Matt Reuben and Luke Austin, who are behind the business, are preparing to have a permanent home at 58 Dixon Street in Inverloch.

Their online series titled ‘Building a Brewery’, follows the costs and decisions involved in getting the site ready, with the brewhouse now ordered and essential services work progressing.

There’s still no confirmed opening date, with plans for welcoming customers remaining subject to council approval.

Matt and Luke are longtime friends and launched Shack Bay in 2024.

Matt leads the brewing, and Luke handles the business side.

Until now, they’ve brewed through Ocean Reach on Phillip Island while working towards their own Inverloch premises.

Luke said securing the site was a huge achievement.

“We’re really proud of it actually. Two guys that haven’t traditionally come from a brewing background, we’ve managed to pull together a pretty successful business model over two years,” he said.

“And to finally get a site, that’s a really big thing in the industry.”

For now, much of the work involves preparing the building for the brewing equipment.

Gas installation and wastewater drainage are part of that process, alongside an electricity upgrade, solar installation and cool room storage.

“So, we’re just getting all of that, basically site commissioning, getting it all ready for the brewhouse to go in,” Luke said.

The blog also puts figures against some of the jobs.

An October 9 post explained that connecting natural gas cost $6,000, with the partners choosing a meter location close to existing infrastructure to minimise the expense.

Their next update detailed the creation of 12 on-site parking spaces, using the property’s existing flat gravel surface rather than undertaking expensive earthworks or paving.

Bollards cost $300 and concrete another $140, while hiring a mini digger with a post-hole attachment cost $320.

The total came to $760, excluding labour and signage, with two people working over two days.

And the outdoor space is now taking shape as well.

Luke said the car park and bollards were complete, the beer garden area had been framed and fencing was next.

Subject to approval, the partners are planning to fit out an internal bar area and get an on-site food truck.

If approved, they intend to trade seven days a week over summer, with operating hours beyond the peak period still to be finalised.

And their friends are getting around the idea too.

“All our mates around town are hugely up and about, you know, offering to help us set it up and work for beers and do what they can,” Luke said.

For now, though, Matt and Luke are continuing site preparations while awaiting council approval, with the blog set to follow the work through to brewing their first batch in Inverloch.