384 North Micro Brewing taps into growing industry

Tapping into the craft brewing market was a passion project for Anthony and Natasha Sfettina and it has led to success with interstate and take home markets now growing the 384 North Micro Brewing venture.

The Casablanca on See owners saw the opportunity to develop their microbrewing business, 384 North Micro Brewing, and gain experience during Covid lockdowns.

Independent craft brewing is emerging as a vibrant and dynamic sector across Queensland, and a change of licencing has allowed the family business to sell the craft beer made on the premises as takeaway to the public.

The change in Queensland legislation earlier this year helped Anthony and Natasha follow their passion for brewing craft beer, with a new brew canned and ready to go each fortnight.

The couple said the expansion of 384 North Micro Brewing was doing so well, they had already received orders from interstate.

“We are officially a brewery now, and that’s kind of unique, as it’s unusual for a place like ours to produce and sell alcohol like we are,” Anthony said.

“It’s great to know there are locals who have been waiting months for us to do this, and the support we’ve had already is amazing.”

Natasha said after their takeaway craft beer had already exceeded expectations after they started selling it only three weeks ago.

“We thought it would take a while to gain traction, but it’s doing so well that we’ve even had people who follow us on social media order our beer,” she said.

“So, we are sending beer in the mail to Victoria and Tasmania now!”

They said it was during the time businesses were closed because of COVID-19, when they took the opportunity to branch out, and their motivation hasn’t stopped.

“During COVID-19 it allowed us, and other restaurants, to sell beers with takeaway meals – that’s when we realised there was a market for it,” Anthony said.

“COVID-19 gave us the opportunity to experiment, and we followed our passion.”

Under their new artisan producer licence, 384 North Micro Brewing, can produce at least 2500 litres of craft beer but no more than 5 million litres in any financial year, and sell the craft beer for consumption on or off the licensed premises.