Du Cane Brewing, which opened off Launceston’s Prince’s Square mid-September, does not do TVs. “Almost every venue in town is a sports bar with racing or some form of gambling,” says managing director Sam Reid. “We wanted to be a place where people would come together and chat.”

The multi-million-dollar taproom is a first for the city in other ways, too. “We must have been the largest municipality in Australia without a brewpub,” says Reid, who co-founded Willie Smith’s Cider before partnering with Du Cane founder Will Horan to transform an ex-outdoor supplies store into a brewery and dining hall.

The duo enlisted Tasmania’s Cumulus Studio (Stillwater Seven, Devil’s Corner) to refurb the 1500m2 space while preserving many of the original fittings. The old Allgoods Tent City sign still hangs above the front door and the venue really does sell fishing permits, as indicated by the “Inland Fishing Services” sign on the window (though Reid hopes no one wants one, because he wouldn’t know where to start).

Inside, large communal tables crafted from the original floorboards surround a three-sided, glass-walled fireplace. Separating the two main spaces is a kids’ play area, replete with miniature tables, pint-sized bouldering wall and giant Connect Four. “We’ve also got a parents room with a change table, a microwave and complementary nappies and wipes,” Reid says, raising the “family friendly” bar to new heights.

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In the kitchen, head chef Damian Bateman (ex-Sweetbrew) turns out 13-inch pies from a slick Morana Forni combi oven. “We’d like to put a hearty, post-walk bolognese on the menu,” Reid says, but for now he’s happy to keep it to pizza, chips and choc tops.

Horan started the brand in 2019 after working as a guide on lutruwita/Tasmania’s 65km Overland Track. The tour company only catered wine, theorising that high-end walkers wouldn’t want beer. Horan, who had previously won a home brewing contest, had other ideas. He set about producing his first Du Cane brew (named for the Du Cane mountain range) and had 40 cases helicoptered into the wilderness. They disappeared about as fast as Horan decided to swap guiding for brewing full time, using Morrisons Brewery as a base.

Now, onsite brewing has doubled production capacity, with a pale ale and an IPA poured tank-to-glass alongside 12 taps featuring venue exclusives and a few guest stars. Wines and spirits are sourced from cellar doors along the Tamar Valley wine route, too.

In homage to hiking, a hand-painted mural by Tasmanian artist Sam Lyne highlights short walks around Tasmania, with a QR code system allowing visitors to find out more. “We really want to be a jumping off point for both bushwalkers and foodies to come and explore the region,” Reid says.

Du Cane Brewing
60-64 Elizabeth Street, Launceston
Open seven days, noon-late
ducanebrewing.com.au

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