If you love craft spirits, then this is the place for you.
Put your hands together for the newest distillery on the block, the family-owned Ceres Distilling Co.
Located in Grovedale, the Ceres Distilling Co specialises in craft vodkas and gins. Ross and Denise Johnston started this adventure with a passion for quality Australian Craft Spirits and have created a space where people can learn about distilling and support local industry and Geelong’s small business manufacturing sector.
Keep up with the latest food and booze news across the region here.
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Rustic charm is all over this venue. Seating a comfortable 68 patrons, this high-quality establishment is the perfect location for any type of catch-up. The space is fitted out with industrial booths, high bar tables and comfortable Chesterfield seating; it’s hard not to fall in love with the design and layout from the moment you walk in.
Elevating the space, the main wall features a stunning nine-metre-high mural of the distillery’s version of Ceres: the Roman Goddess of agriculture and harvest, airbrushed by RMG signs. This gorgeous goddess is accompanied by sculptural and visual artwork that is spread throughout the distillery.
Not only do they have an array of signature cocktails that highlight the craft spirits (Ceres Dry Gin, Ceres Pepperberry Gin and Ceres Strong Gin), but they also feature a Japanese-inspired tapas menu designed to perfectly pair with the craft spirits, including a range of Katsu Sandos, Yakitori skewers and a salmon Crudo, all produced on-site from the distillery kitchen. If Japanese isn’t for you though, you can also order a charcuterie board that pairs just as well, if not better, with the craft spirits.
If you like surprises, then the Ceres Distilling Co also has you covered with a rotating cocktail of the month.
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The distillery prides itself on the visitor experience, providing vision into the distilling facilities including the stills, barrel wall, bottling line and labelling equipment. They also offer gin tastings and masterclasses, where you can learn how to make some of your favourite cocktails or drink pairings on the menu, as well as distillery tours to see where and how your new favourite spirits are made, with passion and using the finest harvest ingredients environmentally and sustainably.
Ross and Denise have goals to expand the spirits available and will be releasing a craft vodka range this year, and a craft whisky range in 2024. There’s also a Barrel-aged Sherry gin coming soon in the next few weeks, so it’s the perfect excuse to check them out.
Whether you’re a Geelong local, a city or regional day tripper, or visiting from interstate or overseas, check Ceres Distilling Co off your bucket list, and head down and try some hand-crafted spirits and food produced on-site, made with love by them, all for you!
Ceres Distilling Co is located at 36/8 Lewalan St, Grovedale. It’s open Thursday – 1-5 (tasting and distillery sales) Friday – 2-9, Saturday – 12-10 and Sunday – 12 – 8. Visit the website here.
