The Tour-de-Gin
Have you noticed how gin has become a whole lot more interesting in recent years? It’s not just gin and tonic anymore; there’s now a whole new movement involving experimental botanicals, exciting mixers like blood orange and grapefruit, and garnishes that add new dimensions.
Ceres Distilling Co
Part distillery, part warehouse-style cool bar, Geelong’s newest distillery makes small batch craft gin and vodka. Tuck into their tapas plates while you’re there.
Anther Distillery
These guys know their stuff and they aren’t afraid to experiment with flavours (they even have a chocolate gin!). Sit down amongst the gin stills and let them guide you through their extensive range and demonstrate how garnishes like grapefruit peel or a squeeze of lime can change everything. They’re located in the heritage-listed Federal Mills precinct which is a cool place to explore.
Black Sheep Geelong
This Geelong restaurant and bar is so in love with the spirit they created the Chamber of Gin which brings together the goods from five distilleries across Geelong, The Bellarine and Great Ocean Road. Set in an 1880 bluestone woolstore, it’s a cosy and inviting setting for working your way through the options.
Bellarine Distillery
Whiskey or gin? Just have them both. Everything’s made onsite in a cute renovated farm shed. Sit outside amongst the trees and enjoy a few drinks with a pizza or platter.
Queenscliff Distillery
A 1879 corner pub overlooking the bay makes a one stop shop for craft beer and gin. Queenscliff Brewhouse is your beer heaven but enter the Queenscliff Brewery and Distillery Cellar Door to enjoy their cool bar and sample a range of gins, from citrus to hibiscus.
Thirty Acres Distillery
Family owned Bellarine Estate has been making wine since 1996 but added to repertoire is Thirty Acres Distillery Gin. Buy it neat or grab cans of ready-to-go blood orange G&T, espresso martini and passionfruit mojito.
