Five SA and NT Breweries and Distilleries Making Standout Local Sips

When Sparkke Change Beverage Company set up shop, it tackled one big issue straight away: the lack of gender diversity in the alcohol industry. This Adelaide-based initiative was founded by and is led by women, something that’s still a rarity in the field. And, that’s not the only change that it’s committed to. Via its natural craft range of beers and ciders — including through its product names and packaging — Sparkke Change raises awareness for worthy causes and important social issues. Its apple cider draws attention to sexual consent, its alcoholic ginger beer sheds a light on Australia’s treatment of asylum seekers and its hard lemonade calls out the difficulties women experience in securing start-up funding. Racism, climate change, saving the bees and banning plastic straws are some of the other subjects that have earned dedicated tipples as well.

If you’re going to start a small-batch distillery in McLaren Vale, there’s one type of tipple that’s a no-brainer: shiraz gin. It’s the place for it, of course, as Two Accents clearly knows — understandably taking advantage of the region’s grapes in two of its products since setting up shop in 2018. Both its regular shiraz gin and its barrel-aged variety use fruit from local vines, sport a rich crimson hue (obviously), and have won awards for their efforts. Still keeping things focused on the homefront, Two Accents’ Siren Gin and Dry Gin both use citrus from the area, too — and they both go down well neat or in G&Ts.

The Adelaide Hills region might be virtually synonymous with wine, but that isn’t the only type of tipple the famed area is known for. Since 2012, for instance, it has also been home to Prancing Pony Brewery — which makes unfiltered, vegan-friendly beers, and quite a few of them. On its lineup is everything from pilsners and IPAs to stouts and even apple cider. That list keeps going, with Prancing Pony trying its hand at 12 different beer styles (and winning more than a few awards for its troubles). And, it only makes all-grain and all-hop brews, which means that its beers don’t use anything other than malt, hops, yeast and water.

Back in 2012, Stuart Brown and Bardy Bayram started brewing their own beers in Stu’s shed. Eight years later, their Darwin setup has long since outgrown its humble origins. That’s the homebrew dream, of course, and it’s One Mile Brewery’s story. And if you’re wondering about the name, it’s a nod to the old One Mile Station near Stu’s abode. If you’re more interested in the brewery’s beer range, it favours easy-drinking craft tipples that suit Darwin’s weather. Opt for its kolsch and you’ll sip an unfiltered malty brew, or pick the bright ale if you prefer bitter and citrus tastes. A pink lady apple cider is also on its books and, as part of its seasonal range, an alcoholic ginger beer as well.

It has been six years since Little Bang Brewing Co got into the alcohol-making business, doing what all newcomers have done for decades: crafting brews out of a garage, on weekends, as a very passionate hobby. In the time since, it has evolved to whipping up a sizeable range of tipples in its own brewery and taproom, which are located just outside of the Adelaide CBD in Stepney. Beer-wise, that means everything from draughts to sours, plus session ales and lagers as well. And, Little Bang doesn’t just focus on yeasty beverages, with a range of wines and even gin among its repertoire.