Take a tipple for World Gin Day

In the spirit of World Gin Day tomorrow, we chat to the man behind one of the region’s best-kept secrets nestled in the grounds of Old Petrie Town - Copper and Cane Distilling.

The brainchild of Guy Dalby, the bar and distillery occupy the site of the Normanby Rum Distillery, a light-filled replica of the original that was created at Old Petrie Town in the 1990s.

“We’re one of Brisbane’s best-kept secrets,” Guy says.

“When people come in, they want to talk about spirits.

“If you’re going to a craft distillery or brewery, it’s a real wow factor to be able to talk to the artisans behind it, it increases people’s pleasure.

“When people enjoy it, that’s why you do this stuff.”

The venue’s become a Friday night favourite set against the backdrop of the moonlight markets.

Local flavours

Having honed his craft in Tasmania, Guy says Copper and Cane’s emphasis is unashamedly on quality over quantity, with gin created in a 300-litre copper pot still on site.

“People are moving towards locally produced small batch gins,” he says.

Foraging in the grounds of Old Petrie Town has led Guy to some inspired discoveries, which have resulted in native botanicals contributing to unique blends

“We’re producing gin with botanicals which are picked within Petrie Town itself.

“There’s wonderful things that are growing within our environment and nobody else can compete.”

Unique blends

One such blend is a lemon myrtle base with rosemary and wattleseed that delivers a gentle, dry gin, while the Garden Gin has more spice, with grapefruit citrus on the front palate and green melon on the back.

Copper and Cane’s not just about gin – it’s also producing unique vodkas.

Guy says while COVID-19 lockdowns delayed the venue’s opening by more than six months, they also gave him the chance to experiment with new flavours.

He says Australian gin infused with Australian native ingredients has soared in popularity.

“People do like to eat and drink what’s on their doorstep.

“I’ve got a gin where everything in there is picked in the (Old Petrie) town – except the juniper berries – and that’s one of our best sellers.”

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