Beenleigh Rum, owned by Bickford's Group, is Australia's oldest
rum and its distillery. The Bickford's Group spokesman, Chris
Illman, said visitor reactions to tours of the distillery, that officially
started December 2, 2015, have been "nothing but
positive". "Consumers are looking to
understand how to make great spirits. This provides the
opportunity to change how people view rum in this country." 
The Distillery was
original built on the banks of the Albert River" The
story of farmers who dabbled in this game of making rum." Between
1981 and 2005 a museum featuring displays on the history of sugar and rum
production in the Beenleigh area was open at the distillery. The
stills, vats and photos were relocated to the historic village at
Beenleigh. Queensland heritage register-listed Beenleigh
Rum Distillery is the oldest registered distillery in
Australia and is a rare survivor of Australia's Australia's oldest
rum distillery has opened its doors to visitors for the first time since the
1980s.early sugar industry. It commenced operations
in 1884 and was the legal successor to a floating moonshine still, the SS
Walrus, which drifted between cane plantations evading police in the early
19th century. Between 1981 and 2005 a museum featuring displays on
the history of sugar and rum production in the Beenleigh area was open at the
distillery. The stills, vats and photos were relocated
to the Beenleigh Historical Village. 
“The distillery
has faced many challenges in its time, including being completely swept away in
the 1887 Albert River flood, with the now iconic red building being built in
the 1890's. "It's the oldest continuously operated
distillery in the Australia. The story of this venerable distillery
continues to be told to future generations," Chris Illman , Bickford Group
Spokesman, said. |
| Gavin Butler |
On top of
public tours of the distillery, Gavin Butler, manager and mixologist,
said, "We can share with them the history of when the property was founded
to the current day." "We'll take them to distillery and show them how
we make the rum, as well as the great barrel room where we finish the
rum. "Visitors can also taste the products in the visitor’s
center."
Chris Illman said
the number of tourists visiting South East Queensland is promising for the
distillery. "Four million people travel to Brisbane and
the Gold Coast each year, both from interstate and internationally,"
Mr Illman said. "Beenleigh is right in the middle so there is a
huge opportunity for 200,000 people to visit annually. "We're
at such a close proximity to those hubs; it's a huge opportunity for local
business to leverage off that." Logan Mayor, Pam Parker,
who has been a strong advocate for greater tourism in Logan, said the
distillery showcased the region's history. "It is
wonderful to see history honored in this way," "I have no doubt
tourists will embrace this trip down memory lane,” Mayor Parker said in her
statement.
To book a tour of the Beenleigh Rum Distillery
or for more information contact Gavin Butler at gavin.butler@beenleighrum.com.au.
Read More at http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/historic-and-iconic-rum-distillery-open-to-tourists-20151202-gldt9t.html
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