Marrickville is set to welcome another brewery before the summer is out as Pickled Monkey Brewing's venue nears completion. The project's founders have been raising capital for the brewpub via an equity crowdfund with OnMarket that closes this Friday (January 12), offering investors shares in the business.
Pickled Monkey will open in a converted warehouse, across the road from the Messina HQ and next to the Factrory Theatre, providing a home for a beer brand that has been pouring in Sydney pubs for the past five years.
For more, see the media release below.
Media Release: Pickled Monkey Brewing Set To Open In Marrickville In February
Pickled Monkey is opening a brewery in the heart of Marrickville at a time when other breweries are going into administration or closing, often as a result of rent and excise tax debt burdens carried from COVID.
The new operation is taking inspiration from the US brewpub model, and building something different from other breweries in the area. The founders are running an equity crowdfunding campaign via OnMarket offering shares in the business to investors.
Managing director Mark Fethers says: "I am interested in keeping up with the brewing trends in the United States, both in terms of beer styles and consumption.
"At last year's IBA conference, a couple of statistics caught my attention about what was happening in the US. It was the first year that craft beer growth was in the single digits, while taprooms and brewpubs increased by 7%. In the last year, there has been a 26% increase in the number of taprooms that were opened since 2022.
"This trend is also happening in Australia; many breweries in the inner west are at capacity on weekends, and some are even taking out fermenters to make more room for seating. It's becoming increasingly clear that selling your own beer in your own venue is easier and more profitable."
The design at Pickled Monkey will feature different sections for different-sized groups, parties, and functions. We secured an amazing space in Marrickville, located across from Messina Headquarters and next to the Factory Theatre. The location is part of the Inner West Ale Trail and receives excellent foot traffic.
Our team comes from a hospitality background and will be offering a variety of food, including smoke and fire dishes, burgers, and other pub fare from a kitchen led by chef Leigh McDivitt. Downstairs, the Italian grongo will serve Rome-style pizza by the slice, deli-style sandwiches, and protein tacos. Yes, you read that right: protein tacos! Imagine a chicken taco wrapped in chicken skin, a fish taco in fish skin, and pork in pork skin. It will be something not to be missed.
Head brewer Joel Mitchell, who has joined Pickled Monkey from Willie the Boatman after seven years at the helm, is set to take on the task of bringing Pickled Monkey's beers to life. The venue will have 20 taps both downstairs and upstairs, as well as four cocktail taps and plenty of wine on offer.
Fethers adds: "This model is something I know will work, having been in the brewing industry and running pubs for over 15 years. I've seen many breweries come and go without the right model.
"We'll be focusing on getting our venue and brand on target, as well as developing our beers over the first six to 12 months before turning our attention to the retail market. We'll be supplying Harts Pub with six taps of beers, as well as several other venues around Sydney that have supported us over the years, in addition to all the usual craft bottle shops."
Pickled Monkey is on track to open in mid-February 2024, barring any delays. The equity crowdfunding campaign closes on January 12, 2024. Details here: https://www.onmarket.com.au/offers/pickled-monkey-brewing/
