Patient Wolf Is Opening Victoria's Largest Independent Gin Distillery in Southbank This Spring

Southbank is set to gain an exciting new boozy addition when Patient Wolf Distilling Co opens (what is slated to be) the state's largest independent gin distillery come September. Co-founders Matt Argus and Dave Irwin have snagged a red brick industrial warehouse along Market Street, which will soon become the brand's new working distillery and public bar.

The gin den will offer tastings aplenty, plus distillery tours, masterclasses and bottles for takeaway — including limited-edition and distillery-only releases. At the 30-seat bar, you can also expect seasonal cocktails, including G&Ts, negronis and martinis, as well as more experimental concoctions.

Each will use Patient Wolf's boutique gins, which, at the moment, comes in three varieties. There's a dry gin, a thyme number with lemon zest and pine notes and the Blackthorn — a dark gin made from sloe berries handpicked in Tasmania.

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The production facility will feature a 220-litre copper still by Müller ("the Bentley of stills") and, come next year, a 1000-litre still from Germany. When it arrives, Patient Wolf's new Southbank spot will become one of Australia's largest urban gin distilleries.

Together, the two stills will allow the Patient Wolf team to continue to blend traditional distilling methods with modern technology and new-age botanicals. And, come September, you'll be able to taste every drop of it.

Until then, the brand will continue to distill out of its Brunswick digs, so keep an eye out for its bottles at restaurants and bars around town.

The Patient Wolf Distillery will open in early September at 34–36 Market Street, Southbank. Opening hours will be Thursday through Friday from 4–8pm and Saturday through Sunday from 10am–5pm.