New tenant brings spirit to Goods Shed

A NEW distillery is currently under construction at the Ballarat Goods Shed.

Itinerant Spirits, founded by Brad Wilson and Craig Ryan, is set to open later this year and City of Ballarat mayor Cr Des Hudson, MP Michaela Settle and MP Juliana Addison visited the site last week.

The venue will house a cocktail bar and a restaurant as well as space for events and masterclasses.

“The Goods Shed is an exciting destination for Ballarat and visitors alike,” said Mr Wilson.

“The Itinerant Spirits brand is some three plus years in the making, and originally conceived when the world was standing still.”

The project, which received funding from the State Government, has seen 14 construction jobs filled, and will provide a new hospitality venue for the region.

Mr Wilson and Mr Ryan said the hope visitors can experience what the area has to offer, and the distilling process will include the use of local ingredients like malted grains and volcanic spring water.

“We chose this because of the opportunities that we foresee Ballarat has now and into the future and also the precinct which is amazing,” said Mr Ryan.

“It’s a credit to those who obviously persisted getting the broader precinct funded and up and running to partner with [Good Shed venue managers] Atlantic Group.

The new distillery is part of the ongoing redevelopment of Ballarat Goods Shed precent that’s seen $28.3 million of State Government money spent on overhaling the 160-year-old building.

Managed by the Atlantic Group, the Goods Shed currently houses a conference centre and 300-seat theatre while the food court and entertainment venue is still yet to open.