Anniversary Ale marks a tough first year for Stalwarts Alehouse & Brewery
Cheers for the local support ... Stalwart Alehouse and Brewery owner Adam Tomlinson makes a toast with his just-brewed Anniversary Ale.
One year after opening Nambour’s Stalwarts Alehouse and Brewery, owner Adam Tomlinson looks back on a tough year.
He’s survived a steep learning curve since his fledgling business opened its doors in the famous Club Hotel building in Currie Street offering his renowned craft beers and pub food.
It was a learning curve that at times appeared insurmountable under the weight of set-up costs, Covid lockdowns and the hopes of a town and a main street in need of a boost.
But he was buoyed by the support of locals who he says have been amazing.
“I’m excited to reach the one year mark, that’s for sure,” Adam said. “It’s been a challenging first year, a very challenging first year. And the quiet hospitality months (February-April) were really tough. Coupled with Covid it’s been a long ride. But I’m just really happy to still get through it. And I’m thankful for the local support which has been crucial.”
Adam said he was looking forward to some clear space as long as Covid kept its head down.
“So I think the second half of the year will be better because you’re coming out of winter, less public holidays, less dead months,” he said. “I don’t have the pool tables, the dart boards, the pokies, the TAB, all those things. So part of my marketing strategy going forward will be to really focus on tourism coming in.”
Adam said food was his other major focus. “I’ve also working out that, in this game, it’s food first. As much as I want my beers to be number one, people come to eat first. And everyone talks about the food. The drinks too, but people judge you on your food.”
On that note Adam said he was looking forward to bringing in a new menu in August, an adaptation of the current offerings.
Anniversary Ale, Christmas in July and Black Forest Porter
To celebrate the first year Adam has launched a special “Anniversary Ale” he hopes locals will enjoy. “So the style is a hazy IPA. I’ve made 10 kegs so it will probably take a couple of weeks to get through. It just depends on how popular it is. Each year I plan to bring out an anniversary ale.”
This weekend Stalwarts is also celebrating Christmas in July with the release of a Black Forest Winter Porter Beer. “A porter is a European style beer,” said Adam. “It’s a dark beer, like a stout. It’ll have raspberries, blackberries, and cherries in it.”
“So I’ll release that for Christmas in July this weekend (July 23-25) and we’re also doing a baked ham meal. It will be glazed with the winter porter. And of course the anniversary ale will be on tap.”
Adam plans to release a new beer every three to four weeks. “So that will excite some people to see what I’m brewing next. I’m looking at launching a membership club too featuring special offers for members.”