Drank all the gin Noosa has? Think again at Pomona Distilling Co.! If you’re an aficionado, you may already have headed out on your travels visiting breweries in Noosa and distilleries around the sunshine coast: but you may not have thought to visit Pomona. Yet. If you thought you’d exhausted all the distilleries and breweries in Noosaville and beyond, think again. Pomona Distilling Co. are putting this small town firmly on the Noosa gin map.
Nestled at the foot of Mt Cooroora, Queensland, this small-batch boutique distillery only opened their doors in December 2019, but they’re already making waves. Their artisanal spirits are distilled on-premises, and they offer a wide range of superb gin cocktails. Local craft beer can be found on tap, and an excellent sharing menu (there are also mains) means you needn’t go hungry while you’re there.
The Best Gin On The Sunshine Coast
Top of the list of things to try here though is the Pomona Signature Gin, the inspiration and the very reason they sprung into existence. Infused with botanicals and infused with locally sourced honeydew melon, it is literally the taste of Pomona. Master distiller and owner Robin Yates’s signature dry gin needs to be tasted to be believed. As well as the signature dry gin, there’s Pomona Pink and Butterfly Pea Flower Gin, as well as their very own vodka on offer.
Robin started distilling on his family’s land decades ago and has been knocking out fine artisanal spirits for Noosa residents for many years, so opening up the distillery was a natural progression, and a chance to share his craft and his love for gin with the community. Community, and family feature heavily here: to the extent that the main distiller itself takes its name from Robin’s grandmother, June.
Amazing Gin Cocktails In Noosa
For the purist, you can take it neat, but Pomona Signature dry gin’s flavour profile also pairs excellently with either mint, lime, lemon peel and rosemary. Or you can choose to sample one of the many lovingly crafted top gin cocktails or gin martinis, created, mixed and served by expert bartender and mixologist Barry, formerly of Diaego UK, and ex barkeep at celeb hangouts Drakes & Blanch House. Lucky for us, he returned to Noosa to share all he’d learned (and his cocktails) with us.
Visit This Pomona Brewery Near Sunshine Coast
Just in case you needed any more reasons to visit, here are a few! Operating out of a stunning and lovingly hand-built venue, which once upon a time was the Pomona Bakery (built in the early 1900’s), they have laboured to ensure as many of the materials used are reclaimed. In the bistro, you’ll find original brickwork (if you can concentrate with amazing smells coming from the kitchen), and beyond this, a huge garden arbour sprawling and lush grassy lawn. And then onto the bar itself, clad in reclaimed timbers and with polished coppers distillers lining the back wall.
No end of care and attention has been expended designing a menu that reflects the love and craft applied to the premises and the distilling. With a selection of sharing plates, snacks and a smattering of mains with fresh local ingredients from Noosa, there’s plenty of delicious options so you can line the stomach. So if you’re anywhere in Noosa or the wider Sunshine Coast, we highly recommend a visit to this local gem. In fact, wherever you are in Queensland, if you love your gin, Pomona Distilling Co. is well worth the trip.