Behind the brews - all posts

The Smiley Story – Part 10: BREWERY APPROVED!
The Smiley Story – Part 10: BREWERY APPROVED!
After almost 12 months of planning battles, parking objections and the threat of refusal, Smiley Brewing finally faced its moment of truth. One council meeting, a unanimous vote and a... Read more...
The Smiley Story – Part 9: The Hard Road
The Smiley Story – Part 9: The Hard Road
With our brewery plans facing refusal, mounting costs and an empty factory, we weren't ready to give up. The next step? Taking our planning application to VCAT. But with a... Read more...
The Smiley Story – Part 8: Roadblock!
The Smiley Story – Part 8: Roadblock!
Just when we thought Smiley Brewing was getting closer to opening, council planning issues threatened to derail everything. Parking surveys, COVID lockdowns, objections and a recommendation to refuse our application.... Read more...
The Smiley Story – Part 7: Consultants On Board, Design Done, Development Application Submitted
The Smiley Story – Part 7: Consultants On Board, Design Done, Development Application Submitted
With the keys to our Pakenham factory finally in hand, it was time to start designing Smiley Brewing. From chalking out the taproom floor to making the big decision between... Read more...
The Smiley Story – Part 6: Location Locked In, Lease Signed… We Have a Home!
The Smiley Story – Part 6: Location Locked In, Lease Signed… We Have a Home!
After five failed attempts, nearly 18 months of searching and one global pandemic, we've finally done it. The lease is signed, the keys are in our hands and Smiley Brewing... Read more...
The Smiley Story – Part 5: Research Trip Up North
The Smiley Story – Part 5: Research Trip Up North
What better way to research opening a brewery than visiting a whole bunch of them? Our Queensland road trip was packed with brewery visits, taproom inspiration, COVID complications and one... Read more...
The Smiley Story – Part 4: On the Search Again…
The Smiley Story – Part 4: On the Search Again…
After COVID put our brewery plans on hold, the search for a home was back on. More factories, more negotiations and another unbelievable setback. But a trip to Pakenham might... Read more...
The Smiley Story – Part 3: COVID Strikes
The Smiley Story – Part 3: COVID Strikes
The search for Smiley Brewing's new home continues, with two more potential locations, some very unexpected discoveries and increasingly frustrating negotiations. Then, just as things are moving forward, COVID arrives... Read more...
The Smiley Story – Part 2: We Found a Home… No, We Haven't!
The Smiley Story – Part 2: We Found a Home… No, We Haven't!
Finding the perfect home for our brewery was supposed to be the easy part. After weeks of searching, planning and negotiating, we'd finally found the one. Or so we thought.... Read more...
The Smiley Story – Part 1: Whose Bloody Idea Was This?
The Smiley Story – Part 1: Whose Bloody Idea Was This?
What started as a casual conversation over a beer in America quickly turned into something much bigger. Here's how the crazy idea of opening our own brewery first came about,... Read more...