Cheers to Peninsula born Drinks!

Peninsula Born Drinks

From sparkling ciders to frothy beers there’s a lot more to the Mornington Peninsula’s drinks scene than excellent cool climate wines. Over the past decade or so a strong cohort of independent brewers, distillers and high-end alcohol-free beverage makers have set up production around the Peninsula. Some, but not all, have bars, tasting rooms and cellar doors where you can see your drinks being brewed or distilled. Some of these are premium experiences and need to be booked in advance while others are part of the social fabric and offer a chance to rub shoulders with the locals. Here’s just a few suggestions to help explore the broad range of popular beverage makers right here on the Peninsula.

Bass and Flinders Distillery
Situated in a bustling industrial estate at the base of Arthur’s Seat, Bass and Flinders Distillery is celebrated for its innovative gin production. They start with local chardonnay grapes, fermenting and distilling the juice into eau de vie or grape spirit. This spirit is then infused with botanicals and local cherries to create a distinctive range of gins. Some gins are aged on oak, adding depth and character. At their cellar door in Dromana, you can sample their gins, French-style mistelle, and aged brandy. For a deeper dive, consider booking a weekend gin masterclass. www.bassandflindersdistillery.com

Cheeky Rascal Cider
Michael Jarman, from a long line of Peninsula orchardists, produces a diverse array of ciders and fruit-based beverages. His offerings include classic apple cider and more exotic varieties such as passionfruit, Pink Lady apple, guava, and the Champagne-like Old Methode Traditionelle. Cheeky Rascal operates out of Mornington and is planning a tasting room. In the meantime, you can purchase their ciders online or find them at markets like Mornington Racecourse, Boneo Market, and Emu Plains. www.cheekyrascal.com.au

Chief’s Son Whisky
In a hidden nook of Somerville’s industrial area, Chief’s Son Whisky boasts a tasting room with dark royal blue walls and gleaming glass cabinets showcasing their single malt whiskies. Their Highland-style whiskies, such as the 900 Standard Single Cask, are matured in French oak barrels that previously held port. Distillery tours are offered every Friday and Saturday at 11 am, providing an inside look at the process of transforming grain into whisky. www.chiefsson.com.au

Escape Brewing
Escape Brewing in Rosebud transforms into a lively venue as the weekend arrives, perfect for beer enthusiasts. The brewery offers a fun and hospitable environment with indoor lawn bowls and hoop shooting. Their craft beers, influenced by European and American styles, explore a wide range of hop flavours. Visit from Friday to Sunday from noon for a beer and a bite to eat, or check their website for online purchases and stockists. www.escape.beer

JimmyRum
JimmyRum in Dromana provides a rare glimpse into the world of handcrafted rum production. Using molasses from Northern New South Wales and Red Hill water, their rum is aged in oak barrels, including new American oak or those used for bourbon. The result is a complex spirit that rivals renowned brands like Mount Gay from Barbados and Diplomatico from Venezuela. A visit to the distillery is a must for sampling these exceptional rums. www.jimmyrum.com.au

Original Spirit Co
Original Spirit Co, based in Somerville, offers uniquely flavoured gins or ‘ginfusions’. These gins are slightly less alcoholic than traditional gin and feature flavours like rhubarb and ginger or lemon myrtle and elderflower tonic. Made with Classic Gin, which is flavoured with organic juniper, Australian coriander, and seven native botanicals, these gins are perfect for long cocktails or flavourful negronis. You can purchase directly from their distillery (sales only, no tastings), online, or from various retailers nationwide. www.originalspiritco.com

Penny Ave Distillery
Located among dunes and tea trees, Penny Ave Distillery is one of Australia’s few dedicated vodka producers. Their process begins with local grain, which is ground, cooked, fermented, and distilled into a clean vodka. Some of this vodka is blended with aromatic botanicals like strawberry gum and lilly pilly, or with flavours such as aniseed, cinnamon, lemon myrtle, and wattle seed. These blends have won awards and can be sampled at the distillery, which also features a rotating selection of food trucks. www.penniave.com.au

Whether you’re sampling gin, cider, whisky, beer, rum, or vodka, you’ll find an array of flavours that reflect the region’s dedication to quality and innovation.