Industry > Brewing

Brewing

Some Aboriginal people were well aware of fermentation processes, but it seems unlikely that alcohol was made here. After the arrival of the First Fleet, beer quickly infused Sydney life.  Secretary of State Lord Hobart observed in 1802:

The introduction of beer into general use would certainly lessen the consumption of spirituous liquors …[therefore] I have taken measures for furnishing the colony with a supply of ten tons of Porter, six bags of hops and two complete sets of brewing materials.

This policy was stunningly successful: soon there were public houses on every street corner and Pyrmont had at least its fair share. James Squire experimented with other substances before hops arrived. When he died in 1822 he was farewelled by the largest turn out at a Sydney funeral. Once brewing began in Sydney, a wonderful range of beers were brewed by many brewers. 

The Beer Excise Tariff Act 1901 was a calamity for Pyrmont breweries, which became unsustainable.  According to John Broadbent’s Transformations, this legislation led to the closure of 17 Sydney breweries - and two Ultimo breweries were lost forever!  

The technology and the evolution of Australian brewing are described here.

Related Items

Brewing in Pyrmont and Eora Country

Further Reading

Pyrmont Brewery - website