Story & photos Eve Jeffery
Going into business can sometimes be hard work on top of more hard work, but Tommy Lee Lewes, Richie Foreman and Zeke Hower aren’t afraid of getting the job done – they are three young blokes having a crack at their dream – and the Earth Beer Company is that dream come true.
Tommy works for Westpac Rescue helicopters as an aircrewman, Richie was a firefighter and a catering chef, and Zeke spent six years with Stone & Wood perfecting his mad beer wizardry and learning the many facets of the brewing business.
Looking out toward Wollumbin, the Earth Beer Company has just celebrated their first anniversary. And 2020 was a tough year to start any business, but the boys have come through with shining colours and the brewery, as a venue, is bloody awesome.
The brewery, located on lush Cudgen farmland, is just 20 minutes up the M1 from Byron Shire and a few minutes off the highway – the trio say that the support from the local community has been great. ‘It’s a privilege to brew and operate on a working avocado farm, and to harness the local produce from our farm and neighbouring farms to include in our beers,’ says Richie.
‘We use avos for our seasonal avocado kolsch, honey from the hives for our coffee porter, and local mangoes for our mango Weiss beer.
‘People are just loving the authenticity of the brewery. We’re not just another tilt slab fit-out. We built the brewery by hand and housed it inside an old farmhouse packing shed.
‘There is a natural beauty of the region and the property, and of course there’s the mountain. We give a lot of attention to detail, and our quest is to brew the most well rounded, sustainable beers – sessionable beers – in Australia.’
As well as tasty brews, the Earth Beer Company also has a constantly changing range of fresh bar snacks available.
Earth Brewery’s first run of canned/packaged beer will take place later this month and the boys are super excited about that. ‘We’re starting with our Lightning Lager and the Rising Sun Pale Ale given how hugely popular they’ve been so far,’ says Zeke.
‘There are a few local bars, and restaurants too, where we have a few things brewing, and who will be offering our beer on tap, which we know some of our locals are really looking forward to.’
Earth Brewery just launched their new website that has a facility for customers to pre-purchase the upcoming package beer, merchandise and even order fresh growler and squealer fills (on the days they are open).
‘Our Rising Sun and Lightning Lager beers really are so freaking delicious,’ says Richie. ‘Just wait ’till you try them!’
You can find the Earth Beer Company at 592 Cudgen Road, Cudgen, or: www.earthbeercompany.com.au.
