CENTRAL Deborah Gold Mine is dusting off its underground function space for a unique event supporting Dry July.<\/p>\n
Dubbed Thirst of July, a non-alcoholic tasting event will take place 61 metres below ground in the space which hasn\u2019t been used since 2019.<\/p>\n
CEO of Bendigo Heritage Attractions, James Reade, said the event combines reopening the space with promoting the emerging industry of non-alcoholic drinks.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u201cWe can\u2019t have alcohol underground, so we thought it\u2019d be a good opportunity to partner with Dry July,\u201d he said. \u201cThis year I\u2019m a Dry July ambassador and so we\u2019re combining a few opportunities all into one.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Reade said he reached out to local non-alcoholic drink champion Briana Cowan, who hosts the podcast Booze Free Bants<\/em> and has held a previous tasting.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s brought a whole range of contacts; this is the second or third tasting event she\u2019s done through her podcast and really talking about that journey of peer-pressure and alcohol and the alternatives out there,\u201d Mr Reade said.<\/p>\n Non-alcoholic drink creators Heaps Normal Beer, Altina Drinks, Lyres and Smug AF will have their range of beers, wines and cocktails available for tasting, and finger food will also be provided.<\/p>\n Mr Reade said before the COVID-19 pandemic, the underground function space would be used regularly for birthday parties, business events and wedding reception.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m pretty confident we\u2019re the only underground function room the general public can book anywhere in Australia, if not the world,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n With the space open for bookings, and Mr Reade said they\u2019d love to host more corporate functions.<\/p>\n The non-alcoholic tasting event will also raise funds for Bendigo Health\u2019s Cancer Wellness Program, which provides physical and mental support for cancer patients, including yoga, oncology massage and meditation.<\/p>\n