There are some giants looming when it comes to tasty tipples in Marrickville and surroundings. You've got The Bob Hawke Brew and Leisure Centre, The Grifter Brewing Co, Sauce Brewing, Batch Brewing, Young Henry's... In fact, breweries are so abundant in this area, the
Inner West Ale Trail was created to connect them all.
Down Enmore Road you'll find the neon pink door of Moonshiner Distillery
But hiding in this trail, down Enmore Road, opposite Enmore Park is a little unassuming local delight - Moonshiner Gin Distillery. A neon pink door opens into a gin-infused, Alice in Wonderland-type space. Green foliage hangs from the ceiling, and the walls are adorned with brightly coloured murals created by a local artist. It's a small space, but it packs a lot of energy the moment you step in.
The small space is full of colour
The gorgeous mural inside Moonshiner Distillery
Moonshiner has been distilling local gin for a number of years now in Newtown, but it's only since November last year they've opened up a brick-and-mortars shopfront for people to come in and try their wares. If you haven't tried their gin before, then you can't go past a gin flight. You'll get four half-nips of the gins of your choice (all named after streets in Newtown) with a side of tonic, ice and garnishes for $19.
The gin flight comes with four nips of gin, tonic water, ice and garnishes
Upgrade your flight and you'll get an additional two nips of their pre-made cocktails; the Espresso Gintini and the Barrel Aged Negroni ($24).
Highlights on the paddle were:
Georgina Street Pear and Lime Gin: A very subtle pear flavour that was brought to life with the addition of some tonic water.
Espresso Gintini: Using their Aussie Native Gin, it was not quite as sweet as some other espresso martinis, while packing a coffee-flavoured punch.
Alice Street Pomegranate Gin: Sweet, juicy pomegranate radiates from this gin. It's sweet enough that it can be enjoyed neat/on ice, but the bubbles in the tonic water really elevate the flavour.
Lennox Street Nocino Walnut Gin: this was served with a nip of almond milk, giving it an almost Bailey's like flavour, but I actually preferred this one with the tonic water. Just go with it!
The pear and lime gin was a definite highlight
You can also order any of the gins as a gin and tonic or gin and soda ($9).
Leaning into their local ethos, the Moonshiner team also have an open call-out for Inner Westies with botanicals to share. Cognisant of the carbon footprint of many of our food products, the team looks to keep everything as local as possible and involve the local community in their distilling process.
In a crowded beer market, Moonshiner Distillery is a must-visit destination for those looking for something local and delicious.
Garnishes included a lime wafer, cinnamon stick and kumquat
Moonshiner Distillery is open Saturdays from 12pm - get in during the early arvo to beat the crowds.
Moonshiner Distillery: the bar. You can purchase bottles of gin to take home
