BEHIND THE BREWS

There's More to Smiley Than Just Bloody Good Beer.

Every beer has a story. So does every brewery. And trust us, we've got a few to tell.

Welcome to Behind The Brews — your backstage pass to everything Smiley Brewing. From the crazy idea that started it all to the beers we brew, the people we meet, the good times we create and the occasional bit of chaos along the way.

We're pulling back the curtain on life at our little independent brewery in Pakenham. Expect stories from the brewhouse, behind-the-scenes adventures, fresh beer releases, taproom happenings and plenty of things that probably seemed like a good idea at the time.

So grab a beer, get comfortable and come along for the ride.

Our Story

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 trut...
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 planni...
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 surve...
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...
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 a...
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 visit...
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 ...
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 ...
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