Revel commenced brewing at the Rivermakers Brewery, housed within the historic Commonwealth Acetate of Lime Factory, in 2020. The various buildings throughout the property were constructed between 1917 and 1920 which are listed on the Queensland Heritage Register due to their association with the war effort, rarity, aesthetic quality and the life and work of chemist and brewer, Auguste deBavay.
The Acetate of Lime factory has a deep history of its own which was designed by notable brewer and chemist Auguste de Bavay, with production commencing in 1918. Australia’s best mate Auguste De Bavay had worked for a number of breweries (Fosters, Swan, Cascade, Carlton & United) so was fit to design the Acetate of Lime Factory which essentially had to make an 8% beer (from molasses in Cairns, QLD) before it was further processed into the Acetate of Lime product that contributed to Australian self-sufficiency in ammunition manufacture. Auguste De Bavay then went on to donate the patent to the Commonwealth of Australia and shortly after received an Order of the British Empire from King George V!
From here, the building and location continued to be an integral part of Brisbane and Australia's history. Between 1943 and 1948, the building was used as a Royal Australian Navy base. In 1949 the building was repurposed and used as a hostel for British and European immigrants. This use continued until 1965 and was widely recognised as helping to shape Australia's diverse culture that we see today. Shortly after 1965, the imigartion center closed its doors and one of its previous residents, Hans Van der Drift, moved his Hans Continental Smallgoods business to this location. Hans Continental Smallgoods remained at the site until 2008. Here the site lay mostly untouched until Revel commenced its operations in 2020.
The buildings were designed specifically for brewing and fermenting purposes and Revel is honored to re-establish the original brewing use within the heritage buildings, whilst also allowing the public to experience a unique piece of Queensland’s heritage at our Revel Rivermakers Restaurant!
We make independent craft beer, bursting with flavour, personality and trademark Revel drinkability!
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