Discover Ipswich Visitor Guide 2025

IPSWICH FLAVOURS

Meet the makers Our region is home to many artisan creators who have honed their craft and wrapped a colourful business around their passion in life.

By Wendy Hughes

Jason Hannay, Imbibis Craft Distillery

"And so, in the case of our (seasonal release) Heritage City Gin, we made it like a food recipe with all those elements in there but all balanced… there’s lime peel from Watercress Creek Olives and Limes, local macadamias and finger limes, our own lemon myrtle, olive leaf from Watercress, and salt bush and wattle seed from First Nations businesses. "The salt bush balances out the bitterness of the olive leaf and finger lime, and the result is a gin that is vibrant and smooth." A butterfly pea flower-coloured Jacaranda Gin earned silver in the 2024 London Spirits Competition while another recent seasonal creation, The Forager, combines citrus notes and locally foraged Illawarra plum. These are just a few in a vast range of gins and liqueurs in the Imbibis range – did we mention there is an award-winning brandy too? Also, Proudly combining modern entertainment with community values, our heritage-listed building provides a vibrant atmosphere for you, your friends and family to enjoy. Known for our mouth-watering chargrilled steaks, savour exceptional food and friendly customer service from our restaurant for both lunch or dinner, while our cafe allows patrons to enjoy hot or cold food and beverages, cakes and slices late into the evening. With 128 of the latest gaming machines, grab a drink from one of our multiple bars and sit back with plenty of room for members and guests to enjoy. phone (07) 3202 1887 ARROW-POINTER Jetsleaguesclub.com.au Location-Dot 15 Downs Street North Ipswich QLD 4305

a liqueur that has native Davidson’s plum as its hero and a Limecello featuring Watercress Creek limes. The distillery and bar are open Fridays, and group bookings for other times can be arranged. The next maker on our adventures today... Bernie Mahon, farmer, grower, jam maker and chief label guy at Watercress Creek Olives and Limes. "I pretty much do it all," says Bernie, while pointing out the latest array of picnic tables under the trees where visitors can enjoy a platter featuring his homegrown and preserved olives, tapenades, fig jam and lime curd. The farm, in the Mahon family for generations, is a popular spot for bus tours these days and Bernie has added a farm shop in which to

Jason Hannay, brings specialty gin to the tourism landscape, conjuring a bright and unique range of botanically inspired spirits at his Bundamba distillery. He and wife Maree launched Imbibis Craft Distillery in 2020 and Jason, with a background in wine making, has since earned a string of international awards for his creations. It is evident talking with him that the actual art of making is a pure joy, while he chases the next unique flavour combination, all the while paying attention to things like clarity, purity and balance. "I love that process because sometimes when you develop a recipe there’ll be components or botanicals that will stand out and they’ll either be bitter or sour or salty, and you’ve got to try to get them all balanced," Jason says.

Jets Leagues Club

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