Mount Mather Investments
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Distilling and Brewing Experiences
The history of distilling and brewing in Tasmania is rich and dates to the early 19th century, reflecting the island’s heritage and innovation in alcoholic beverages.
Beer brewing in Tasmania began in earnest with the establishment of the Cascade Brewery in 1824, located in the foothills of Mount Wellington. It was founded by Hugh McIntosh and Peter Degraves, English settlers who arrived in Tasmania in 1824. This brewery, noted for its use of pure waters from Mount Wellington, is the oldest continuously operating brewery in Australia. Despite some historical contention over the founders’ roles, it’s agreed that Cascade played a significant role in Tasmania’s beer culture, holding 95% of the beer market on the island at its peak in 1983. Cascade is known for a variety of beers such as Cascade Draught and Cascade Bitter and has also produced limited edition beers like “First Harvest,” celebrating the first yield of Tasmanian hops each year. Additionally, Tasmanian breweries shine at the Independent Beer Awards 2018, organized by the Independent Brewers Association. Notable winners include Hobart Brewing Co, Moo Brew, and Van Dieman Brewing, each earning a prestigious “Gold Award”. Other Tasmanian winners include Shambles Brewery, Little Rivers Brewing Co, and Ocho Beer. Our plan is to implent distilling and brewing into our Mountain Mather Project.
Cascade Brewery
Cascade First Harvest (Limited Release, from dashcreative.com.au)
Whisky distillation in Tasmania has a more tumultuous history, facing a ban on small batch distilling that lasted for over a century, while such practices were permitted on the Australian mainland. The prohibition on distillation in Tasmania was due to an 1839 law aimed at curbing excessive drinking among the population. This changed in 1992 when Bill Lark successfully challenged these outdated laws. Lark, known as the “Godfather of Tasmanian whisky,” established the first legal distillery in Tasmania since 1882. The Tasmanian whisky industry saw significant growth after this point, with the founding of the Tasmania Distillery in 1994 and subsequent international recognition when Sullivans Cove won the World Whiskies Award for the world’s best single malt in 2014. It also earned the “World’s Best Single Cask Single Malt” title at the 2019 World Whiskies Awards, following a win in 2018. Former Head Distiller Patrick Maguire joined the Icons of Whisky Hall of Fame in 2018, an honor only three Australians have received. These events have positioned Tasmania as a significant player in the global whisky market.
Photo – Bill Lark (from Discovertasmania.com)
World Whiskies Award (X Page)
Additionally, Tasmania’s gin distilling history, while not as detailed in the sources, has likely been influenced by these developments in beer and whisky. The craft spirit movement on the island reflects a broader trend of artisanal and locally sourced production.
The island’s brewing and distilling culture is celebrated through various festivals and tours, such as The Taste of Tasmania now called the Taste of Summer, Esk Beerfest, and Hobart Beerfest, along with the Tassie Beer Trail, which guides enthusiasts through the local craft beer scene.
Taste of Summer (from Facebook Page)
Tassie Beer Trail (Esk Beer Fest)
Tasmania’s unique climate, quality of water, and locally grown ingredients contribute to its distinctive beverages. This quality and tradition make Tasmania a notable destination for those interested in the craft of brewing and distilling.
Tasmanian Nature Environment (Cradle Mountain)
Tasmania’s Ecological Environment
Tasmania's Signiture Drinks
Whisky
Craft Beer
Revival of a Time-Honored Spirit
The story of Tasmanian whisky is one of rebirth and excellence. After a long hiatus due to historical regulations, the Tasmanian whisky industry experienced a renaissance in the 1990s. Since then, the number of distilleries on the island has grown significantly, each utilizing Tasmania’s pure air, clean water, and ideal grain-growing conditions to produce world-class whisky.
Tasmanian whisky is characterized by its use of high-quality local ingredients and traditional methods, sometimes combined with innovative techniques. The distilleries across Tasmania offer a range of whiskies, from richly peated to delicately smooth, each expressing the unique characteristics of its environment. This spirit has gained international acclaim, contributing significantly to the global whisky scene and showcasing the exceptional quality of Tasmanian produce.
Some Activities and Events in Tasmania
Tasmanian Whisky Week 2026
Tasmanian Whisky Week is a week-long extravaganza of Tasmania’s world-class spirits industry – its craft, its passion, its innovation. Running from Monday, 4 August through to Sunday, 10 August 2025, this year’s festival will bring together more than 40 distilleries islandwide to offer an action-packed programme of tastings, tours and special events. Rounding off this week-long celebration of Tasmania’s whisky culture is the Tasmanian Spirit Showcase staged in Princes Wharf No. 1 (PW1) of Hobart on Saturday, 9 August. Here, visitors can explore more than 150 different spirits, meet producers, enjoy live entertainment and partake of Tasmania’s whisky culture in all its glory. Ranging from small distillery experiences found in Tasmania’s north to jollier events from Tasmania’s south, Tasmanian Whisky Week is a perfect opportunity to taste why Tasmania is Australia’s whisky capital.
Brewing Excellence at Island
Tasmania, renowned for its pristine natural environment, has emerged as a leader in the craft beer movement. With its oldest brewery and longest-running hop farm in Australia, the island has used its ideal growing conditions to foster a booming craft beer industry. This small state has made a big impact on the beer world, boasting almost 30 breweries, more per capita than any other Australian state.
These breweries, scattered across Tasmania, embrace small-scale production and access to exceptional local ingredients. This setup enables brewers to innovate continually, creating unique beers that embody the essence of Tasmania. The variety of beers produced ranges from traditional ales to more experimental styles, each batch reflecting the local terroir and the artisanal spirit of its makers. The craft beer scene in Tasmania is a vibrant blend of tradition and innovation, offering a taste experience that is as diverse as the island itself.
Some Activities in Tasmania
2025 TAS Craft Beer Passport
The Craft Beer Passport is a series of custom designed, printed Passports packed full of info about local breweries, as well as brewery hopping suggestions, hundreds of dollars worth of discounts, and more!
Our 2025 Passport Collection consists of six state Passports which cover over 300+ breweries across Australia, ranging from craft beer bars and microbreweries, to multi-venue craft beer brands!
Each venue has their own page in the Passport with info about the venue, facilities available, beer recommendations, a space for tasting notes, as well as exclusive discounts you can redeem when you visit.
2025 Tasmanian State Homebrew Competition
The 2025 Tasmanian State Homebrew Competition, organized by Hobart Brewers and Brew Club Launceston, was judged at Du Cane Brewery in Launceston on Saturday, August 23rd. Brewers can register their entries online. The top brews in each category will qualify for the national competition. Full competition details and registration are available on the competition’s website. (https://tshbc.hobartbrewers.com/).
