Melbourne-based brewpub Westside Ale Works has been sold but, while the business has changed hands, Westside's future is set to resemble the first eight years.
For owner Casey Wagner, it's something of a bittersweet moment, although he's happy to see the name and team continue under new ownership.
“It’s been a big part of my life for the last eight years,” he told The Crafty Pint.
The South Melbourne brewery sits just outside the city’s CBD and was launched in 2016 with Casey’s focus predominantly on the hop-forward West Coast beers he fell for in his native America. The brewery had been on the market for some time, with new owner Jonathan Treloar (pictured above right with Casey) eager to keep the brewery running largely as it has to date: the name, relaxed warehouse taproom environment, and 30 tap are all staying around.
“I was very happy to find someone who believes in Westside, wants to carry it on and keep all the employees,” Casey says.
“Plus, he’s very fond of the hop forward too, so it’s a pretty good match.”
Jonathan’s professional background is in IT and, while he’s spent some time as a homebrewer, he has brought in a brewer with a background that includes winemaking and distilling.
As for Casey, he plans to stick around for a couple of months to enable a smooth transition, before spending some time with his family in the States.
“I haven’t seen my nieces and nephews much, and then we’ll split our time between here and Australia.”
Indeed, it was Casey’s desire to spend more time in his homeland that led to the decision to sell Westside; after eight years in one role, he’s keen to change directions professionally too.
“I’ve got a little bit of family business back there so I’m back and forth more than I used to be,” Casey says. “But I was also ready for a change and a new adventure, and I’m looking for a new challenges and something else to do with my time.”
Casey says he’s loved the journey as a brewery owner, particularly his ability to experiment beyond beer. As sole owner, he's seen the brewery grow and move into a far larger space than where it started in 2016 (although the move was only a few metres along the same street) and has made beer, cider, seltzer and spirits in small batches along the way – even deciding to make his first batch of wine here too. They were also the first brewery to act as a Pint of Origin venue, inspiring others to follow suit.
“My expectations have been exceeded in terms of what I could do here,” he adds. “I fermented everything under the sun so that was a lot of fun.
“I’ve done everything, so it’s great to be able to do that and share it with people.”
That said, the biggest highlight has been getting to know locals and regulars over the bar, many of whom have become close friends.
“I’ve met so many nice people through the brewery,” Casey says. “Great, lifelong friends, some of who have moved away and we travel to visit now.
“It’s great to have met so many wonderful people along the way.”
Will Ziebell is a history graduate who knows more about The Wire than he does about beer. He was awarded the AIBA Best Media trophy for 2018; HBO have told him to please send his fan mail elsewhere. He can be found on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.
The beer(s) or moment(s) that turned you on to good beer:
Spending time living in the UK (and backpacking across Europe) when I was 21 certainly gave me a better understanding of the beer and different styles of the world. But I'd say it was a holiday to the High Country a little while later when lunch and a tasting paddle at Bridge Road Brewers created an obsession with Australian breweries and locally made beer.
You've got three beers to turn someone else on to good beer; what are they and why?
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Boatrocker's Miss Pinky: It's a raspberry-packed Berliner Weisse that neither looks or tastes the way many people conceive of beer.
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Bad Shepherd Hazelnut Brown: A luscious mix of chocolate and hazelnut that can appeal to the sweet tooth within us all.
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Stone & Wood Pacific Ale: As the father of my oldest friend once said to me: "It's the perfect refreshing pint that smells like they've loaded it with the God's herb."
The last beer you enjoyed:
Garage Project's DFA while sitting at the bar at Miss Moses as the sounds of The Rolling Stone drifting in the background.
Three things that represent you:
- Bruce Springsteen
- Ken Burns
- The State Library of Victoria
