A gin and whiskey distillery for Miami.
A gin and whiskey distillery for Miami.
In what may just be the happiest news of 2018, a gin and whiskey distillery will roll open its doors in a few short weeks and we could not be more into it.
Granddad Jacks Distillery has been in the works for what feels like four years to those of us who love both gin and whiskey a little too much. In reality it’s only been four months but the wait is almost over.
On August 24th, the industrial-style Miami distillery will open for the good folks of the Gold Coast and, it’s certainly a cause to celebrate. Found on Lemana Lane, the distillery has taken up in what used to be a mechanics workshop and the transformation is pure magic.
Father/son team and owners Dave and Luke Ridden (along with the lovely Jess) scoured the Gold Coast in search of iron beams and the like to build a space that fits perfectly in Miami’s backstreets. Steel-inspired high tables with copper stools stretch down the centre of the room and two of the coolest leather couches we’ve ever seen make for a little chill spot at one end (if they go missing forget you read this). A day bed along one wall is lined with colourful cushions and underneath a mural proclaiming ‘too busy for bullshit, too tipsy to care’ and that, friends, is our new life motto.
Above the bar, an exposed brick wall boasts a painted portrait of the man himself, Granddad Jack, whose face peers out over the whole space, keeping an eye on you and your whiskey-fuelled shenanigans. There are wine barrels placed artfully about and the cruisiest of cruisers, decked out in Granddad Jack’s signage, is parked up the back. Oh and the main affair, a huge copper still sits at the back pumping out all the tasty booze. Love you.
So who is this Granddad Jack your new favourite watering hole is named after? Well, he’s a New Zealand born lad whose hard work and sharp mind allowed him to pay a huge family debt singlehandedly at the ripe old age of 14, that’s who. Luke, his great grandson, adopted the same hard working, ‘too busy for bullshit’ attitude and here we are, just a humble beachside city with our very own distillery. What a time.
Granddad Jack’s will sell only their own styles of both gin and whiskey and they’ll have a few varieties of each including what they call a ‘navy strength’ gin that’s 58%. Gimme.
There’ll be no food available on site but, hooray, you can BYO whatever you like so it’ll be a cheese platter and gin party for us thank you very much.
The epic space is also available for events including birthdays, engagement parties and wedding receptions and there was even a secret Sofar Sounds gig there recently. So much room for activities.
Okay we’re done and so very excited. Keep August 24th free, you won’t want to miss this one.
LOCATION: 43 Lemana Lane, Miami
HOURS: 10am until midnight Wednesday to Sunday
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
There will never be too many waterfront venues, serving up frosty cold brews and epic views (that’s a poem right there). Especially because summer is right around the corner and that combination is our absolute fave on a steamy, sun-drenched afternoon.
Which is lucky because Paradise Point recently became home to a brand new venue boasting, you guessed it, frosty brews and epic views.
Brewed Brewery can be found on Marine Promenade overlooking the sparkly Coomera River and serving up not only frosty brews but tasty tapas-style eats too.
The industrial-esque space offers plenty of seating on the big old undercover deck with said views stretching as far as the eye can see. Inside, a piano sits in one corner while a little window against the back wall allows you to peek in at the keg room adorned with disco lights.
The tasty eats-filled menu is the work of Head Chef Jack Dillon and has been made with a community style of dining in mind. Jack has worked at many a fine dining restaurant in his time, including Copenhagen’s Noma, and his experience shows in the array of American BBQ-influenced dishes.
First up, let’s chat about the ribs, Finger Licking Ribs to be exact (which are obviously the best kind). We’re fans of the Hickory Smoked Pork Ribs with caramelized mandarin. Obviously. So eat those.
Definitely also try the Wagyu Tataki with shaved roasted garlic miso jelly and chargrilled wild mushroom. Love you all things tataki.
The Puffed Haloumi and Watermelon dish features our two very favourite foods so clearly this one is a winner too. Times three please.
Of course, since the name suggests all things brews, we best mention the 25 craft beers on rotation in said disco-style keg room. All your local favourites are represented along with a sweet selection of wines, ciders and cocktails to keep your thirst quenched.
So there you have it, a new northern goodie to add to the list. It’s going to be a sweet summer indeed friends.
LOCATION: 2/4 Marina Promenade, Paradise Point
HOURS: Wednesday to Sunday 11.30am until late
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
We’re all aware that the Coast’s cruisy, barefoot beach culture is one of the very best things about our sun-soaked city. Throw in a few cold ones and a tasty pub-style feast in a high vibe, waterfront space and it’s pretty much the best time you can have, is it not?
Well get excited friends because there are about to be many more of those exact times in your life thanks to the perfect pairing of Sydney’s 4 Pines Brewing and our very own Boardriders Coolangatta.
The two Aussie legends have partnered to create a brand new space that will not only offer all of your surf-related retail needs but also your thirst-quenching, tummy-filling needs too.
You’ve obviously ventured inside Boardriders before, found at the Strand on Marine Pde in Coolangatta, overlooking the ocean and forever filled with absolutely stoked folks, it’s the surf shop of your dreams.
Now with the epic additions of beers and tasty eats.
The bar has been redesigned by the good people at 4 Pines who will now be pouring the full range of their core beers along with some unique newbies just for us Gold Coasters. There’ll also be a selection of limited edition Keller Door beers, wines, cocktails and spirits.
Not only that goodness though, there’ll also be breakfast, lunch and dinner menus absolutely jam-packed with dishes to satiate that ridiculous hunger you feel after a day spent in the sun.
For breakfast think dishes like the Happy Glow Bowl (delightful) with avocado, a soft boiled egg, sautéed kale, roasted cherry tomatoes, basil pesto and dukkah and Sauteed Shrooms with crème fraiche, Dijon mustard, toasted seeds and a poached egg on sourdough. There’s also a Bacon and Egg Roll with CHEESE that we’ll probably eat every single day for the rest of our lives.
At lunchtime there’s treats like Spiced Chicken Wings and Charred Veggie Tacos to start and then it’s time for all the tasty burgers. Our favourite.
We recommend The Chook Burger with corn-flake crunch buttermilk fried chicken thigh (WHAT), chilli, peanut butter, pickled cabbage, carrot, pickles and sriracha on a milk bun. We’ll take six please.
There’s also The Philly Cheese with flat iron steak, rovolone cheese, marinara sauce, onion, red peppers, aioli and pickles on an Italian roll. Amazing.
Of course there are incredible salads and little meals for the kiddies too.
In even happier news, the breakfast menu features boozy sips like Mimosas (love you), Espresso Martinis and a breakfast beer that should be a thing everywhere honestly.
Obviously we’ll be moving in to the newbie so we can shop, eat and drink to our little hearts content.
That’s your summer plans sorted Gold Coasters.
LOCATION: 72-80 Marine Pde, Coolangatta
HOURS: Monday and Tuesday 7am until 6pm, Wednesday and Thursday 7am until 9pm, Friday and Saturday 7am until 10pm and Sunday 7am until 9pm.
Words by Kirra Smith and photos by Dean Swindell
