On-tap beer is on the road

IF you close your eyes and think of your local pub, it’s likely not a watering hole on wheels.

But Aunty Jacks are challenging the brewpub model, having trialled a mobile growler refill service out of the back of a ute last Saturday.

Ensuring their customers’ home beer vessels were topped up ahead of the night-time AFL grand final, Aunty Jacks events and marketing manager Keeley Cornwell said their head brewer Matt Ives popped up with the vehicle in Golden Point, Brown Hill, and Lucas throughout the afternoon.

“We are one of the only businesses in Ballarat that have a producer’s licence, and can pop up anywhere at any time,” she said.

“Matt spearheaded the campaign, coming up with the idea to get out to the streets and take our beer to people that couldn’t come into the venue as our capacity is a lot lower than what we would normally have in our nearly-400 person space.

“Matt puts so much love and creativity into his beer, so he popped a couple of kegs in the vehicle and did the ad-hoc mobile growler refills to get beer out for grand final day, and be a part of everyone’s celebrations.”

Ms Cornwell said it was great to see customers face-to-face, have a chat, and bring some smiles to their masked faces.

“A lot of people had empty growlers sitting at home but hadn’t been sure about how to get them filled, so that’s been a great area for us to touch on. We can fill any growler, any beer vessel.”

The mobile growler refill service, with a proper van, is one that Aunty Jacks plans to formalise in the future, however, the brewpub does do growler refills every day at Mair Street.

Customers can book a two-hour slot, try beers on site that were made in the building, take a growler home, and share it with their family.

“We have our core range, and limited-edition options. We’re developing new ones every week,” Ms Cornwell said.