Overview
Thanks to one of Milton's famous residents, Brisbane will always be known for XXXX beer. The River City is a thriving craft brewery hub, too. Spirits-wise, it has even scored its own Brisbane gin. But there might be no tipple that screams Brissie as much as BY.ARTISANS' signature drop. The new West End distillery's gin isn't just made right here in the Sunshine State capital — it uses old eucalyptus leaves from a Brisbane icon, aka Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, to create the beverage.
Lone Pine's koalas aren't missing out on their greenery; rather, BY.ARTISANS is using the leaves that don't get eaten by the herbivorous marsupials each day. The resulting creation is indeed called Signature Gin, and it can be bought at the distillery's new Jane Street flagship — or enjoyed onsite.
Add a new sip to everyone's must-drink list is one of motivation behind BY.ARTISANS, as proves the aim of every outfit that makes booze. Getting attention on Queensland-born artistry and Sunshine State-made products is another key reason for being. Teaming up with one of the city's best-known destinations fits that ethos, clearly.
Tempting eyes towards the brand's just-opened base won't be hard — the slick, sleek, minimalist-leaning venue, which favours natural tones with pops of greenery and silver distilling equipment around the place, instantly stands out. It isn't just somewhere where spirits are made and drunk, either. Also part of the setup: a cafe serving a curated range of food and a creative haven, where tasting rooms and the bar sit beside an event space, a retail space and room for workshops.
For those stopping by for a bite, the all-day dining menu includes marinated mixed olives, gildas, pickled vegetables and crackers with hummus, Portuguese custard tarts, and daily-changing toasties and crostones. For two, there's also a cheese and charcuterie platter.
"The name BY.ARTISANS reflects our commitment to craftsmanship, shining a light on the artistry and dedication behind every creation," explains Co-Founder Ginn Lai.
"There are no shortcuts — each product is hand-made in small batches with carefully sourced ingredients and a focus on quality."
"We wanted to create a space that challenges the preconceptions of a distillery, and offers something new and unexpected," added fellow Co-Founder and Brand Director Alexander Lotersztain said.
"We have created a retreat that embraces the community, emphasises the space's multi-functionality, and is warm and welcoming during the day and at night," continues Lotersztain about an address that mirrors the pared-back aesthetics of the brand's Signature Gin, which comes in a eye-catching white bottle.
"The retail space, too, has a curated selection of amazing homewares and objects from local artists and designers."
As for the Signature Gin, a small-batch drop that goes heavy on native botanicals, it's been crafted under the guidance of BY.ARTISANS's third Co-Founder Alexander Bell, who is also the resident Master Distiller — and a chemical engineer. Expect to taste not only eucalyptus, but also lemon myrtle, cinnamon myrtle, lavender and wattleseed, all in a tipple made in a still designed to be one of the country's most energy-efficient by Bell.
"This is a first-of-its-kind distillation system, capable of producing not only spirits but also a diverse range of essential oils and hydrosols from local botanicals," he notes.
"What sets our distillery apart is its versatility. We use the same equipment to produce spirits of exceptional quality as we do to craft lifestyle products such as bespoke soaps, candles and natural dye merchandise — all while minimising our energy and resource use."
Find BY.ARTISANS at 99 Jane Street, West End — open 10am–10pm Thursday–Saturday and 10am–5pm Sunday. Head to the distillery's website for more information.
Images: Florian Groehn / Thomas Oliver.