Felons Brewing Co. throw open their doors and brand their roof in a Howard Smith Wharves’ tradition

Nov 21, 2018

Set under the Story Bridge on the banks of the Brisbane River, Howard Smith Wharves’ Felons Brewing Co. is delighted to announce their doors will open to the public on Friday 23 November, serving brewery-fresh beer and delicious food. Felons Brewing Co. is also following in the steps of Wharves’ tradition by proudly displaying their name on the roof of the brewery. 

 

The working wholesale and retail brewery is set to radically reignite the city’s former port. Run by a team of passionate beer experts – many of them Little Creatures alumni – Felons will be more than just a place for Brisbane locals to meet and share freshly brewed beer: it will also be a contemporary architectural landmark. Its name is displayed in gigantic hand painted black lettering across the roof of the brewery. Visible from the air, the sign measures 47 metres long and 5 metres wide. 

 

Howard Smith Wharves founder, Adam Flaskas, said, “We are proud of being able to bring a brewery to the people of Brisbane right on their riverfront. It felt like a fitting nod to the past that we put the brewery name on the roof, as how Howard Smith had originally done when he inhabited the warehouses. This is just another step in bringing Howard Smith Wharves back to their former glory. Over the coming months, you will be able to see more names go onto the remaining two sheds.”

 

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said Brisbane residents and visitors could raise a glass to the new brewery, thanks to Council’s support for the wider Howard Smith Wharves revitalisation. “For many years the heritage-listed wharf buildings have been closed to the public, however, thanks to a three-year restoration project, the precinct has been reimagined into a vibrant lifestyle precinct for both residents and tourists,” Cr Quirk said.

 

With the brewery named after the four felons who were the first settlers to discover the Brisbane River, Felons Brewing Co. wants to proudly tell the true and original Brisbane founding story to the people of Brisbane and beyond.

 

“We fell in love with the story of the felons who were the first – after local indigenous Australians – to discover Brisbane River,” explains General Manager Ash Cranston, formerly of Little Creatures. “It seemed to reflect our core values of discovery, freedom and fearlessness, and it made sense to name ourselves after a story linked to the foundation of Brisbane, and the river where our home is.”

 

“We’ve engaged renowned Australian contemporary painter and installation artist Anthony Lister to help us revitalising an old wooden 13.5m trawler boat as an ode to the Four Felons which will be completed by December 1st 2018. We’re excited to invite families to throw out a picnic rug on the grass, grab a six pack of Felons Beer, a parcel of traditional fish and chips and kick back in beautiful natural surrounds,” continued Ash Cranston.

 

With Felons Brewing Co. beers brewed onsite at Howard Smith Wharves, Felons will offer something for everyone upon their 23 November opening, catering for the beer novice through to the beer expert, with a range of beers and ciders on hand for all to enjoy, along with delicious food.

 

“We’re focusing on brewing natural and balanced beers of no fuss, and we won’t compromise when it comes to quality and consistency. We are really conscious of keeping our impact on the planet as low as possible – during my many years in brewing I’ve learnt the little things count as much as the big initiatives,” said Head Brewer Tom Champion. 

 

Felons Brewing Co’s beer philosophy takes inspiration from their location and the brewers’ passion for beer.

 

“We are on a journey of discovery, taking inspiration from nature and our home down under the story bridge in Brisbane, Australia. We’re proud brewers and we believe in brewing with passion and freedom. We brew harmoniously balanced beer which celebrates fresh and locally grown ingredients. We strive to brew drinkable, flavoursome beer, which is a bit like us: not to be taken too seriously,” said Tom Champion. 

The thing Felons’ founders are keen to impart is that they’re ‘brewed for Brisbane – by us, for you’. Day by day, in the lead up to their 23 November opening, the small band of Aussie founders are developing new ways to unite Brisbanites through pleasurable beers. Once the Howard Smith Wharves precinct is fully opened, the brewery will work in with curated cultural events and opportunities to spotlight local artisans and musicians. A world-class, waterfront brewery with an appetite for the intimate and homegrown: it’s difficult to get more Brisbane than that.