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.
To cap off the last couple of weeks of drinks, fun, and laughter, we will be welcoming back The Hip Replacements to wildbrumby Distillery for an afternoon of cool blues and chilled drinks.
SIP & SAVOUR COCKTAIL EVENING To kick start the Savour Weekend of Food & Wine, specially designed cocktails will be crafted by Sebastian, celebrating the flavours of the mountains.
WILDBRUMBY MASTERCLASS On Saturday Brad will be hosting a Masterclass on Schnapps and mountain culture to celebrate 21 years of schnapps fermentation and distillation in Crackenback. You’ll learn about the history of schnapps and how it became an integral part of the mountain experience.
Join artist Brad Spalding for an exclusive evening at the Lounge Bar on Friday, the 1st of March, from 6 pm to 9 pm. Paint alongside him, savour Wildbrumby cocktails, schnapps tastings, and grazing boards. Celebrate his art accolades and 21 years of Wildbrumby distillery with this unforgettable blend of art, spirits, and milestones!
Summer is upon us, and what better way to celebrate the season of sunshine and warmth than with a sip of pure berry bliss? We’re thrilled to announce the return of our much-loved Pure Berry Schnapps, and let me tell you, this year’s vintage is an absolute showstopper!
Picture this: rolling fields adorned with ripe raspberries, plump blackberries, juicy blueberries, and tangy red and black currants—all handpicked at the peak of perfection to capture nature’s true essence. Our team has been hard at work, meticulously bottling this fruity symphony to bring you a limited release that’s sure to tantalize your taste buds.
What sets our Pure Berry Schnapps apart is its unparalleled versatility. Whether you prefer to enjoy it neat, savouring each nuanced flavour, or over ice for a refreshing kick, the possibilities are endless. But why stop there when you can elevate your experience with a creative cocktail infusion?
Imagine the magic of our Pure Berry Schnapps mingling with the smoothness of our Kosciuszko Vodka or the botanical beauty of our Rubus Patch Gin. The result? A concoction so delightful that we’ve dubbed it the supercali-BERRY-licious-expialidocious cocktail. It’s not just a drink; it’s a symphony of flavours that’ll have you singing its praises.
So, as the days grow longer and the temperatures rise, let our Pure Berry Schnapps be your go-to companion for all your summer soirées and backyard gatherings. Whether you’re toasting to the sunset or dancing under the stars, each sip will transport you to a berry-filled paradise—a celebration of nature’s bounty in its purest form.
supercali-BERRY-licious-expialidocious cocktail
45 ml Wildbrumby Pure Berry Schnapps 30 ml Kosciuszko Vodka 30 ml fresh Lime Juice 1 Egg White
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker and give it light shakes to create a beautiful foam.
Then add the ice and keep shaking until the shaker is icy cold to the touch. Carefully strain the mixture into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with a few freshly picked berries for an irresistible finish.
BERRY SPRITZER
45 ml wildbrumby Pure Berry Schnapps 30 ml Rubus Patch Gin 20 ml fresh Lime Juice Fever Tree Ginger Ale
Pour all of the Berry Spritzer ingredients into an ice-filled tall glass.
Top off with Fever Tree Ginger Ale and garnish with juicy berries and a sprig of fresh mint.
Enjoy live music among the sculptures with the Cooma Big Band from 12-4 pm. The band will be playing, and the schnapps and beer will flow! It’s the perfect way to spend a day in the Snowy Mountains. (weather permitting).
Come peek behind the scenes with our incredible Production Team, where things can get wild. This time, they’ve outdone themselves with our latest creation—the limited-edition Hazelnut Schnapps.
Imagine the best hazelnuts we could find, toasted just right to bring out all their amazing smells. Then, these tasty nuts join “Joan,” our small batch still, and the magic happens. What comes out is a hazelnut-infused drink like a flavour party in your mouth.
This schnapps is something special because we didn’t make a ton of it—just enough for those who love trying unique things. It’s not your everyday drink; it’s a rare, one-time-only treat that’s all about making your taste buds dance.
You can enjoy it straight up, over ice, or mixed into your hot chocolate. Are you feeling fancy? Shake things up with a Hazelnut Martini! There are many ways to savour this drink, and each sip is like a bit of adventure.
So, let’s raise our glasses to try new stuff and enjoy something extraordinary. Our Hazelnut Liqueur Schnapps is here for a good time, not a long time. Cheers!
Cocktail Recepies
Nut-tini:
Get ready for a flavour explosion with our Nut-tini—a drink that’s all about indulgence without the fuss.
Ingredients:
45 ml wildbrumby Hazelnut Schnapps
45 ml Kosciuszko Vodka
Instructions:
Mix everything in a mixing glass with ice.
Give it a good stir until the outside gets all frosty.
Pour it into a super cold Martini Glass.
Finish it with a fancy touch—throw in a toasted hazelnut and a hint of Chocolate Bitters.
Take a sip, enjoy, and let the Hazelnut Martini be your ticket to a new level of yum!
Hazelnut-Ginger Fizz:
Keep it cool with our Hazelnut-Ginger Fizz—a drink that’s as easy-going as it is delicious.
Ingredients:
45 ml wildbrumby Hazelnut Schnapps
Fever Tree Dry Ginger Ale
Instructions:
Pour your wildbrumby Hazelnut Schnapps into a tall glass with ice.
Top it up with Fever Tree Dry Ginger Ale.
Make it look fancy with a slice of orange and a cute cocktail cherry.
Take a sip, feel the fizz, and let the Hazelnut-Ginger Fizz be your go-to for laid-back vibes and tasty sips. Cheers to easy, breezy, and oh-so-delicious drinks!
Join our Schnappy Christmas on the Green with The Hip Replacements playing live music from 1.00 – 4.00pm. Enjoy cool blues and plenty of Christmas spirit.
