Featuring in The Crafty Pint
We were recently interviewed for The Crafty Pint, so if you want to hear another angle of our start up journey then head over to The Crafty Pint.
From
hospital
to
hospitality
The story of Blackwattle Bar + Brewery
Once upon a time in the wild inner city suburbs of Sydney, four dads met on the sidelines of junior rugby games, cheering on their sons like proud, slightly hungover lions. Their boys played for Petersham Junior Rugby Club, and the dads - Chris, Darrin, Adam, and Stu - bonded over the universal language of weekend brewery visits.
One of them, Chris, had a hobby: rock climbing. You could say he was quite good at it—until one fateful day in 2017, when gravity decided to remind him who's boss. Training at St Peters climbing gym, Chris took missed a hold crossing the roof and fell. His belay partner didn’t catch him (we’re still not sure if they’re friends anymore), and after some ambulances and an operation that could’ve had its own Netflix docuseries, Chris ended up in the spinal ward.
Luckily, Chris made it out - slightly bent and buckled but not broken. Climbing was off the table, but the guys knew he needed a new obsession. So, they thought, they’d been discussing beer for years.
Maybe it was time they tried their hand at brewing.
They pulled down the old bouldering wall in Chris’s garage and installed a 65L all-grain three-vessel nano brewery. Their first beer? It was… absolutely dreadful. Undrinkable, even by supportive friends. But they didn’t give up. They read, researched, and experimented like mad scientists until they brewed a Brown Ale that was not only drinkable but actually good. Encouraged, they kept going - brewing more beers, entering comps (getting decent results, but nothing for the trophy shelf), and even buying a canning machine.
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The garage brewery was in Glebe, just a stone’s throw away from Blackwattle Bay. And so, Blackwattle Brewery was born.
Inevitably, the “What if we did this for real?” conversation happened. Then COVID happened. Progress paused, but not for long. Post-COVID, Chris and Anna kept the dream alive. They researched properties, missed out on some, investigated others before finding a new home in Alexandria.
A lease was signed, a DA started and eventually approved. The build went quickly, the brewery arrived. Karl and Chris utilised their new found forktruck skills to unload the brewery and enlisted the help of the old gang to connect it all together.
Then, in December 2024 we opened our doors. Karl running the bar, Chris running the brewery and Anna and Sasha involved throughout - a truly family run business.
And the original fab four - well they are still part of the brewery family and you will frequently find them down the brewery watching rugby, paying trivia and sampling the beer.
What Next?
We continue to evolve - a project like this is never finished.
We have found a wonderful collection of food vans. We put on DJs and live music, from small acoustic sets to full blown ticketed events.
We host trivia, piano recitals, corporate events and borthday parties.
Chris is a fanatical, on-eyed rugby union fan. We have a rugby clubhouse and play as much rgby as we feasibly can. If there is a game you want to watch, from Shute Shield to an international, then it will probably be on with the sound up in our rugby room.
So, if you are in the area, call in for a drink and a chat with Karl, Chris or one of our amazing bar staff! Try our beers and cocktail, let Karl guide you through a whiskey tasting of unusual and rare whiskies or ask about a brewery tour - if we are not to busy we will happily take you through the brewery.
Our Purposeful Vision
Craftsmanship
Brewing Excellence
Crafting each beer with dedication and precision is at the core of our mission. Our commitment to quality and innovation ensures that every pint tells a unique story of craftsmanship and flavor.
Inclusivity
Community Engagement
We believe in fostering a community of beer enthusiasts and entertainment lovers. Our brewery serves as a platform for everyone to come together, share experiences, and create lasting memories.
Creativity
Artistic Expression
Exploring the boundaries of flavors and entertainment, we embrace creativity in every aspect of our work. Join us in the journey of taste and amusement like never before.
Sustainability
Environmental Consciousness
As stewards of the environment, we are dedicated to sustainable practices in every part of our brewing process. From sourcing ingredients to waste management, we strive to reduce our ecological footprint for a greener future.
Our Team
Chris
Founder
Head brewer
Karl
GM of Bar + Venue
Anna
Founder
Sasha
GM of Ratbaggery
Jack
Bar Manager