New Wokalup Brewery

Beer lovers rejoice, a new craft brewery is coming to Wokalup and is expected to be open before Christmas.

Brugan will operate in conjunction with The Wokalup tavern on South Western Highway between Harvey and Benger.

The 114-year-old estate has received a $150,000 grant from the Regional Economic Development Fund to boost tourism and employment in the area.

Owners Megan Hardwick and Bruce Hathway both grew up in the central Wheatbelt and said it was their dream to build a micro brewery. Mr Hathway has a financial background and recently qualified as a brewer and his partner Ms Hardwick works as a chef.

“We bought the pub in August 2017 after relocating back to WA but our plan was never to run a country pub, we always wanted to turn it into a brewery,” Mr Hathway said.

“We’re enhancing the original hotel facade, replacing the kitchen and bathroom and providing a space to brew the beer.

“Our focus will be on sessionable craft beers including lagers, pale ales and stouts. Over time we hope to get into seasonal beers and eventually even ginger beer and ciders.”

There are also plans to create a beer garden as part of the 1000L industrial brewery.

“We are hoping to keep the original part of the facade really classic and traditional and juxtapose it with the modern industrial vibe of the brewery,” Ms Hardwick said.

The pair said it was a significant investment and they hoped to start building next month.