Little Creatures has embarked on a new chapter with the reopening of its renovated brewery and hospitality venue in South Geelong, Victoria.
Situated in Valley Worsted Mills, Little Creatures has invested $4m in the facility upgrade, allocating $3m to enhance its brewing capabilities and an additional $1m transformation of the hospitality space.
The upgraded brewing facilities will allow Little Creatures to pivot into RTD production and amplify its craft beer operations, while the revamped hospitality space creates a community-focused craft beer destination.
Dennis Stewart, Brewing Leader at Little Creatures Geelong, says both elements of the transformation demonstrate the brewery’s commitment to innovation and community.
“Little Creatures has been an integral part of Geelong for the past decade, and this significant investment marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter.
“We’ve significantly expanded our brewing flexibility, essentially removing previous technical constraints that limited our creative scope. The upgraded setup means we can pivot quickly between different beer styles and really push the envelope on what we’re creating.
“Looking ahead to 2025, our Little Creatures brewing team is empowered to push boundaries and experiment with innovative recipes while maintaining our commitment to quality. We’re just scratching the surface of what’s possible, and we’re excited about the beers we’ll be rolling out,” he stated.
In its commitment to pushing boundaries, Little Creatures has also expanded its production to include RTDs, and Stewart told Beer & Brewer that the move into this category is about being able to experiment and innovate on a smaller scale.
“Think of it as our test kitchen for new drink ideas. Rather than jumping in with massive production runs, we can now try out different concepts and get them to market quickly to see what resonates with our customers.
“It’s about being nimble and responsive to what people want. We’re bringing the same attention to detail that goes into our beers to this new space, just with the ability to be more experimental and quicker on our feet. It’s an exciting new chapter for us, and we’re keen to see where it leads,” he explained.
Along with the upgrade of the brewery, it was equally important to Little Creatures that the hospitality venue was given a facelift that paid homage to the industrial roots of the brewery while also fostering the welcoming atmosphere of a local pub.
With capacity for 400 patrons, the new hospitality space features a tap bar, modern canteen, expanded outdoor area with space for al fresco dining, and function spaces.
Combining the brewery’s rich heritage and innovative vision, similar to the identity of Little Creatures’ home in Fremantle, the design incorporates historic features, such as exposed brick walls and industrial elements, with soft finishes to create a sense of warmth and comfort.
“What makes this space truly unique is its ability to bring people together. Whether you’re enjoying a delicious beer, sharing a family meal in our canteen, or celebrating in one of our function areas, the energy of this historic building, now full of conversation and laughter, is what makes it special,” added Stewart.