Join artist Spalding for a private group guided sculpture walk in the garden at wildbrumby distillery. You’ll also get the chance to peek inside the Spalding Studio – rarely open to the public. Upon the conclusion of the walk, relax in the cafe with a beverage, followed by a schnapps tasting.
Thursday to Monday (weather permitting)
$20 per person includes a guided sculpture walk and tea/coffee or cocktail, and a schnapps tasting, with all proceeds going to support the not-for-profit work of One Thredbo
Bookings essential. Minimum number of 6 participants required.
To enquire, please email orders@wildbrumby.com or phone (02) 6457 1447.
Experience the spirit of the Snowy Mountains at Hyatt Hotel Canberra’s Schnapps masterclass. Join wildbrumby founder Brad Spalding and distiller Sebastian Druege in the historic Griffin’s Lounge for schnappy cocktails, winter canapes, and stories about distillation, ski culture, and mountain life.
Bring out the champagne glasses – it’s sour cherry schnapps season!
Christmas is all about great company and fabulous food. Lunch tables overflow with prawns and sweet, heart-shaped cherries. Their pits decorating the table come dinner time.
So, what happens to their smaller, less common cousins – the sour, morello cherry?
These deep ruby morsels are gifted with a complex flavour that we believe was made for our sour cherry schnapps!
Sour cherries, like the morello cherry have been used in liqueurs all over Europe for centuries. The most famous being Kirshwasser, meaning “cherry water”, from the Black Forrest region of Germany.
You guessed it. Sour cherry is the beautifully tart and tempting schnapps responsible for the delicious black forest cake. But could you imagine a cherry topped pavlova drizzled with our seasonal sour cherry schnapps!?
The possibilities are endless with this deliciously bittersweet treat. Here are a few cocktail recipes to get you cheers-ing to cherry this Christmas!
Kirsch Royale
As a Christmassy riff on the French ‘Kir Royale’, this cocktail is all about celebration. The star ingredient? A generous pour of our seasonal sour cherry schnapps.
This is the perfect cocktail to serve to friends just as the Christmas crackers are pulled and the jokes are shared.
And the best part about our Kirsch Royale is that you’ll have one at your fingertips in two easy steps – Let’s leave the complicated recipes to the food this year.
To be cheers-ing to cherry all through to Christmas dinner, first place your morello cherry into a champagne flute and add our wildbrumby sour cherry schnapps.
Next, tilt the champagne flute on a 45-degree angle and fill with our wildbrumby brut. This will result in an evenly mixed cocktail that is ready to serve in seconds.
Sour Cherry Martini
It wouldn’t be a wildbrumby celebration without a martini. And our seasonal sour cherry schnapps is the ingredient that takes our signature martini recipe from party favourite to the Christmas cocktail everyone will want to sip.
In this cocktail you’ll find a lip-smacking tartness and candied cherry notes. (Have a friend obsessed with martinis? We have that Sour Cherry Martini Pack they didn’t know was on their Christmas wish list.)
Set up your chilled martini glass with a single morello cherry. Then, bring out your cocktail mixing glass and fill it to the brim with ice. Add our sour cherry schnapps and wildbrumby Kosciuszko vodka, and stir for 15 rotations.
Strain the contents of your cocktail mixing glass into your chilled martini glass. Enjoy!
Sour Cherry Sling
The Singapore Sling, a brilliantly fruity and pink cocktail, was invented in Singapore in the early 1900’s and has been a summertime classic ever since.
Some versions of the long forgotten ‘original recipe’ call for pineapple juice. However, our version combines the citrus notes of fresh lemon and orange, giving this cherry-forward drink an extra punch of tartness.
Sipping this cocktail by the pool or whilst on BBQ duty is one way to beat that summertime heat.
Ingredients:
30mL Classic Gin 30mL Sour Cherry 15mL fresh lemon juice 15mL fresh orange juice morello cherries wildbrumby morello bitters (or Angostura bitters) soda water
How to make it:
The key to making the best Singapore Sling is to use fresh and quality ingredients. First, squeeze at least 15mL of fresh lemon juice and 15mL of fresh orange juice. Then prep your garnish by pinning two morello cherries using a cocktail pin.
Fill a bar shaker with ice and pour in the lemon juice and orange juice, followed by our wildbrumby classic gin and our cherry schnapps. Shake till frost forms on the outside of your bar shaker and strain into an ice filled Collins glass. Top with soda water.
Place your pinned cherries on top of your glass and add a tiny dash of morello bitters (available from our distillery door). And if you don’t have a bar shaker at home, simply build it straight into your glass.
wildbrumby seasonal products are available from our online shop or distillery door for limited periods only.
Wildflowers are in bloom, the sun is out, and the mountains are singing for adventure.
Spring has sprung and we’re celebrating with a floral, herbaceous and honey-sweet treat – our Dandelion & Honey schnapps.
Incorporating wild, handpicked dandelion flowers and local alpine honey with a base of our Pink Lady Apple schnapps. This is a seasonal schnapps made to be savoured for as long as our dandelions are in bloom.
You may be asking yourself, why dandelion? This vibrant yellow flower is highly aromatic and known as one of the most common edible flowers.
In teas and drinks, dandelion gives off a rich herbaceous and floral flavour often served alongside honey and lemon.
Local alpine honey is a key ingredient in our Dandelion & Honey schnapps too.
As bees busily venture from plant to plant, the taste of the snowy mountains in spring is collected into each drop of their gorgeous golden honey.
For us, the vibrant notes of wildflowers and local alpine honey are the true flavours of spring. So, where does the idea of floral schnapps come from?
Herbs and flowers, like dandelion, have a long history in liquor creation. Particularly in Western Europe where many traditional alcoholic beverages consumed in springtime, and beyond, are herbal liqueurs and aromatised fortified wines.
Today, you’re bound to come across plenty of cocktails celebrating springtime with herbaceous and floral flavours.
Here’s how we like to drink it:
Our Dandelion & Honey schnapps is delectable served neat or over ice. You can also try it as a boilermaker with your favourite lager after a long mountain bike ride or enjoy it in a simple cocktail like our Angry Bee. What better way to celebrate spring than with a floral and honey forward refresher?
How to make the Angry Bee:
Ingredients: wildbrumby Dandelion & Honey schnapps 60mL Fresh Lemon Juice 15mL Soda Water An edible flower
Method: Fill a highball glass with ice and pour in our wildbrumby Dandelion & Honey schnapps and fresh lemon juice. Stir in ingredients and top with high-quality soda water.
Want to make this drink extra special? First, add ice to your highball glass and fill it halfway with soda water. To a cocktail shaker, add ice, fresh lemon juice, our wildbrumby Dandelion & Honey schnapps and shake well.
Using the cocktail shaker will thoroughly mix these ingredients and creates a soft texture that tastes phenomenal and is sure to impress your friends.
Strain the contents of your cocktail shaker into your highball glass and top with extra soda water if needed. Garnish with your favourite edible flower – our pick is the dandelion, of course!
*wildbrumby seasonal products are available from our online shop or distillery door for limited periods only.
Embrace the spirit of Oktoberfest with us! On Saturday, October 5th, the vibrant sounds of the Cooma Oom-Pah-Pah Band will fill the air from noon until 4 pm. Get ready to dust off your Lederhosen and Dirndl because we invite you to be a part of the fun! Join us for the Oktoberfest Celebration that promises laughter, music, and lots of schnapps, beer and sausages!
Enhance Your Dining Experience with wildbrumby Truffle Schnapps
For those who appreciate the finer things in life, wildbrumby Truffle Schnapps is a must-try. This remarkable spirit combines the earthy luxury of snowy mountain truffles with the crisp sweetness of pink lady apples, creating a flavor experience that’s as unique as it is sophisticated.
Truffles, often referred to as “the diamonds of the kitchen,” are prized for their rich and complex flavors. These fungi grow underground in symbiosis with tree roots and are known for their intense, aromatic quality. Snowy Mountain truffles are celebrated for their delicate yet profound taste, which is beautifully captured in wildbrumby Truffle Schnapps.
This schnapps makes a stunning aperitif, offering a refined start to any meal. The initial aroma of truffle gives way to a pleasingly sweet and slightly fruity apple note, creating a balanced and intriguing flavor profile.
Beyond its role as an aperitif, wildbrumby Truffle Schnapps is a versatile companion to various dishes. It pairs exceptionally well with creamy pasta, where its truffle notes complement the richness of the sauce. Similarly, it enhances the flavors of a hearty risotto, adding a touch of sophistication to each bite. For a more casual pairing, try it with a selection of antipasto; the schnapps’ unique flavor profile elevates cured meats, cheeses, and olives, making for a memorable appetizer.
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply enjoying a meal at home, wildbrumby Truffle Schnapps adds a layer of elegance and flavor that makes every dining experience exceptional. Indulge in the luxury of truffles and discover how this extraordinary spirit can transform your next meal.
Aperitivo Tartuffo Cocktail
Elevate your cocktail game with the Aperitivo Tartuffo, a refined and elegant drink that perfectly showcases the unique flavors of wildbrumby Truffle Schnapps. This sophisticated cocktail combines the earthy richness of truffle with the crisp, herbal notes of white vermouth, creating a balanced and refreshing aperitif.
Ingredients:
45 ml wildbrumby Truffle Schnapps
45 ml off-dry vermouth
Green olive
To prepare, start by filling a tumbler with ice. Next, pour in 45 ml of wildbrumby Truffle Schnapps and 45 ml of white vermouth. Stir gently to mix the spirits and chill the mixture thoroughly. Garnish with a green olive for a touch of classic elegance.
The Aperitivo Tartuffo is a perfect choice for a pre-dinner drink, offering a delightful blend of truffle’s earthy complexity and vermouth’s crispness. Serve it chilled and enjoy a sophisticated start to your meal!
Hyatt Hotel Canberra is turning 100 and to celebrate they are throwing a glamorous party to rival the Great Gatsby!
As we at wildbrumby love a party, we’ll be joining in the fun with a pop-up bellini bar. After all, what’s a celebration without wildbrumby bubbles and peach schnapps?
Come and join us!
Tickets are $199 per person and include the following:
– Three-hour beverage package including beer, wine and sparkling – Three-hour tray service canape package and live stations – Pop-up cocktail bars featuring a Martini bar by The Canberra Distillery, Bellini Bar by Wildbrumby Distillery, a BentSpoke Beer Garden and a Whiskey speakeasy – A Taittinger champagne toast – Live entertainment with the Baker Boys jazz trio, soloist and 5-piece band, Couture Air ballet performance and 10-tier champagne tower – Event Styling by Show Pony Events and Encore Productions
For wildbrumby Club Members, the Hyatt Canberra are offering the special promo code WILD for a 10% discount on the first 20 tickets purchased between now and 24th August. Hurry, before time’s up!
Key Details:
Friday 25th October 2024 7pm – 10pm Hyatt Hotel Canberra, 120 Commonwealth Avenue, Yarralumla
$199 per person includes a three-hour canape and beverage package, live entertainment and immersive activations.
Make this winter schnappy and try these delicious recipes for a Baked Apple dessert and warming cocktails.
Here in the Snowy Mountains, we dream of waking up to a blanket of fresh snow on the peaks. The recent wild weather didn’t disappoint. We’ve whipped out our gloves and beanies and think it’s about time we shared our winter enthusiasm in the love language we know best: schnappy dessert and cocktail recipes…
Faceplant
Though not an uncommon occurrence if you’re hitting the slopes this winter, the Faceplant we have in mind is far more satisfying. Featuring our seasonal Baked Apple schnapps and a dollop of whipped cream, this recipe is wildbrumby approved to try at home.
Warm your wildbrumby baked apple schnapps in the microwave for 10-15 seconds in a shot glass.
Top with whipped cream and a light dusting of cinnamon.
*Our wildbrumby baked apple schnapps is a seasonal product and will only be available for a limited time during winter.
Powder Day
Every snow enthusiast’s dream, in Australia, true powder days often prove elusive. Here’s one Powder Day that will consistently put a smile on your dial.
Add all ingredients to an ice filled cocktail shaker and shake till cold.
Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Glühwein
German for ‘glow-wine’, Glühwein (or mulled wine in the common tongue), is a warm spiced wine many of us may associate with European Christmas markets. It can be made at home, by why would you? Save yourself the trouble, and simply heat and serve our schnappy edition!
How to make it:
Pour a bottle of our wildbrumby Glühwein into a pot. Make sure to heat the liquid without bringing it to the boil.
Once warm, serve into 4 pre-heated mugs and garnish each with a slice of orange and a cinnamon stick if desired.
Hot Whipped Minty
Ready to take your hot chocolates to the next level? Just add Peppermint schnapps!
Make a hot chocolate your way but leave some room in the mug!
Pour in 30ml Peppermint schnapps and give it a stir.
Top with whipped cream and marshmallows for extra decadence.
Flare Runner
Thredbo’s Saturday night staff flare runs are legendary! Whilst you may not be able to be part of the action on the mountain, you can certainly re-create the excitement at home with this spicy delight.
Combine ingredients in a chilled glass, fill with ice and stir for 10 seconds.
Strain into a chilled glass.
Serve with dark chocolate nibbles if desired.
Baked Apple Dessert
Did you know you can use schnapps to make a range of sauces, glazes, or as a key ingredient in delicious dessert recipes? Schnapps makes any dish better, as this delectable dessert proves.
Ingredients: 1 cup Almond meal 1/4 cup Sultanas 1/4 cup Caster sugar 90 ml Baked Apple Schnapps (substitute for apple juice for a kid-friendly version) 1/2 tsp Cinnamon Slivered almonds for topping 4 Pink Lady Apples
How to make it:
Remove the cores from the apples and place on a baking tray.
Mix together all other ingredients in a bowl.
Fill each cored apple with the almond meal mixture and top with slivered almonds.
Pop in the oven for 40 – 45 minutes until the tops are golden and crispy. Alternatively, place in a wood-fired oven for ultimate mouth-watering flavour.
Hyatt Hotel Canberra is giving you the opportunity to sample the spirit of the Snowies in a relaxed Schnapps masterclass.
If you can’t make it to the mountains this winter, the mountains will come to you!
Join wildbrumby founder Brad Spalding and head distiller Sebastian Druege for a yarn by the fireside of the historic 100-year-old Griffin’s Lounge while you sip on schnappy cocktails and enjoy warming winter canapes. Try wildbrumby favourites such as Limoncello and a seasonal Baked Apple only available in winter.
You’ll hear stories about the founding of the distillery, ski culture, and mountain life, and will enjoy a great night out amongst friends.
Having learned the art of distillation in Austria, Brad established wildbrumby as one of the first craft distilleries in Australia. Thus, he brings a wealth of knowledge to the masterclass on what it takes to create a premium Australian product. With his European sensibilities, and creative flair, Sebastian knows how to wow with unique cocktail creations.
For those who have never tried schnapps, it will be the perfect introduction to the world of craft distillation and mountain culture.
This will be the first masterclass of many in a Masterclass Series. The series is designed to provide guests with immersive culinary experiences. It will also showcase the amazing local business and producers in Canberra and surrounds.
Key Details:
Thursday 20 June 2024
6:00pm – 7:30pm
Griffin’s Lounge, Hyatt Hotel Canberra
$59 per person includes a wildbrumby Schnapps tasting board and winter-warmer canapes.
As we mark 21 years in the craft distillery industry, it’s a momentous occasion worth celebrating! Throughout our journey, we’ve prided ourselves on doing things a little differently. We’ve been distilling long before it became a trend, and that pioneering spirit continues to guide us.
From the outset, Brad and Monika had a grander vision beyond merely crafting a brand. They aimed to carve out a destination nestled within the serene landscapes of the Snowy Mountains. Unlike many others, our journey didn’t commence in some nondescript industrial shed tucked away from prying eyes.
Using Recycled Building Materials
Our original Still-house stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to sustainability. Constructed using recycled timber and corrugated iron, with beams repurposed from an old bridge, it embodies our ethos of giving materials a second chance to be part of a meaningful narrative.
Sustainability has been ingrained in our operations from the very beginning. Preserving the Snowy Mountains’ pristine beauty has always been our top priority.
Harnessing the Power of Nature
One of our earliest initiatives involved installing three worm farms to effectively manage our organic byproducts, transforming them into nutrient-rich compost. Recently, we welcomed a new addition to our distillery grounds: a beehive. This hive serves as a vital pollinator for our organic raspberry patch and other fruit trees, ensuring their continued vitality and contributing to the local ecosystem.
Furthermore, we’ve embraced solar power, with 32 panels adorning our original building and an additional 50 gracing our main production facility. These panels power our 600-litre Still “Joan” and sustain our off-grid staff accommodation, symbolizing our commitment to harnessing renewable energy sources.
The same solar panels that energize our whole operation also power a recently acquired electric car used for local deliveries, exemplifying our dedication to reducing our carbon footprint.
Waste not, Want not
Moreover, we’ve implemented innovative water-saving measures, including a closed-circuit cooling system for distillation and the operation of our own Sewage Treatment Plant for wastewater management. Additionally, all kitchen oil is meticulously collected and repurposed for biodiesel production.
Our commitment to sustainability also benefits our community. Our leftover gin botanicals play a role in supporting local business Rockstock Deli. These botanicals are utilized for curing meats, smallgoods, and smoked Snowy Mountain trout, fostering collaboration within our community while minimizing waste.
Visitors to our distillery will notice our commitment to bottle refills during tastings, a conscious effort to minimize unnecessary glass waste. Furthermore, our dedication to sustainability extends to our online store in our choice of packaging materials, which are proudly biodegradable.
At Wildbrumby Distillery, sustainability isn’t just a checkbox; it’s a way of life ingrained in every facet of our operation. As we embark on the next leg of our eco-friendly spirits expedition, we remain steadfast in our commitment to preserving the environment while crafting exceptional spirits that reflect the pristine beauty of the Snowy Mountains.
We are open all Easter Long Weekend, and there is lots to see and do!
1. Free Tasting
Sample the selection of seasonal and year-round schnapps, gins and vodkas, all day, every day across the Easter long weekend. Rock up at the tasting counter, and one of our wildbrumby team members will be only too happy to guide you through the menu.
2. Raspberry Season
Try our latest seasonal schnapps – Raspberry! February to April is raspberry season at wildbrumby – when our organic raspberry patch is harvested.
The Easter weekend will also be one of your last chances to catch another of our seasonal stars – Mango schnapps.
This year, we’ll be participating in the Jindabyne Art and Artisan Trail. Stretch your legs, soak up the sun, and take a walk in our sculpture garden. For more info on participants, check out the interactive map online at Creative South, or pick up a brochure in the shop. You can also check out a quick video on our Instagram page here.
4. Ride an E-Bike
Got energy to burn? Ride an E-bike up Wollondibby Road to explore an aromatic forest of Candlebark Gums and White Sallees. Turn around when you reach the gate, just past Nowhere…You’ll know Nowhere when you see it. Look for the Brumbies!
5. Schnappy Hoppy Hour
Dusk is when the roos come out to play. The deck out back of wildbrumby Café and Distillery is the best place to relax and observe the local wildlife come to hang! We’re open a little longer – until 6 pm on Fridays and Saturdays – so you can make the most of this magical moment. To sweeten the deal, from 4 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, it’s Schnappy Hour! Get a Schnapps Flight for $9, instead of the regular $12.
6. Browse the Shop and Gallery
Stillhouse café is a treasure trove of kitsch objects, artisanal crafts and fine art. Eye-catching works by local Crackenback artists Zoe Young and Brad Spalding grace nearly every wall. In the shop you’ll find an assortment of handmade items designed to bring a little bit of Austrian homeliness to wildbrumby. For the keenest observers, there’s also one rude gnome to be found somewhere in the restaurant…We call him – our complaints department.
7. Florence, the Machine
No, not Florence & The Machine of Rock musical fame. Our Florence is a working still imported from Germany, and the very first to produce schnapps at wildbrumby distillery. These days, we normally make use of our much larger still, Joan, who hides in the shed. Florence, she’s a flirty one, though. She can be admired within the Stillhouse café, right behind the tastings counter.
8. Ring the Bells
There’s nothing like the ringing of a cow bell to make you feel like you’re on an Austrian mountain farm. There are numerous bells around the property, waiting to be tinkled. Alternatively, order a Schnapps Flight to your table, and we’ll ring the bells for you.
9. Pose as a Swiftie
In honour of Tay Tay’s recent Eras tour down under, artist Spalding has painted a brilliant photo cut-out board to make your dreams come true. Pose as Taylor Swift in performance mode or as one of her loyal followers (swifties).
10. Find the Scarred Tree
Thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans and brumbies, the Thredbo Valley was a place of transit, hunting, and gathering for the Ngarigo and Manaroo peoples. Many quartz artefacts have been found throughout the valley, particularly at Crackenback. Scarred trees provide another archaeological clue of how the Ngarigo people lived ingenuously off the land. Aboriginal people would deliberately cut bark away from trees for a variety of practical purposes, leaving tissue that would dry, then die, leaving a ‘scar’ on which no bark could grow again. The scarred tree on the grounds of wildbrumby looks to archaeologists to have been hollowed out to make a bowl. Can you find it?
Finally, at wildbrumby we encourage fun in all its forms, but think you’ll have the best fun if you follow our responsibility code (see below). Help us look after our beautiful Alpine environment, thus paying our respects to the original custodians of the land, the Ngarigo people and their elders past, present and emerging.
We’re looking forward to seeing you over Easter!
The wildbrumby Responsibility Code:
Tread carefully. Like the Ngarigo people, let’s appreciate and look after the flora and fauna.
Safety first. Keep climbing to a minimum. Play inside the caravan, not on the roof.
Snake alert. If you see a snake, back away slowly and alert a wildbrumby staff member immediately. We will re-home our legless friend.
Respect others. Noise is okay in the field down past the Orbs. Let’s allow people to relax in a calm atmosphere in and around the café.
Parents beware. Children who don’t play by the rules will be given a black coffee and a kitten to take home.
Children take note. Take care of your parents. They are your responsibility. We cannot guarantee the return of lost parents.
