Hopping into the Craft Gin Market - How to Guide for Craft Brewers & Distillers
Dermott Dowling
We have learned a lot from our customers and suppliers over the past decade and the broader beverages market in Australia has changed significantly in terms of taste, consumption, trends and beverages enjoyed responsibly in bars and at home. Recently we have seen more and more of our mates in the brewing world look over at that empty corner of the brewery and see opportunity to buy and install a 500 Litre still.
Why 500L? Because it is the "Industry Standard." It is the volume where craft meets commercial viability, allowing for a healthy yield (around 700 bottles) without losing the soul of a small-batch spirit.
Today, we are sharing our "Mary" Signature London Dry Gin recipe. Mary is a bold, 45% ABV workhorse designed to stand tall in a G&T and Negroni and carry enough essential oils to win over the toughest judges in competition and more importantly at your brewery or distillery bar.
1. The Foundation: Manildra NGS
If you are distilling in Australia, Manildra Group 96% Neutral Grain Spirit (NGS) is the undisputed gold standard for Gin. It is clean, consistent, and provides the perfect blank canvas.
To charge a 500L still efficiently, we aim for a 375L charge at 40% ABV.
- The Mix: 156.25 L of Manildra NGS + 218.75 L of Filtered Water.
2. The Botanical Bill: The "Mary" Signature
Inspired by the great "cocktail gins" of the world, this recipe uses a high botanical load (~51g per Litre of Absolute Alcohol) to ensure the flavor doesn't "thin out" when diluted.
Botanical Weight Character
Botanicals |
Weight | Character |
| Juniper Berries | 3.75 Kg | The piney, resinous backbone |
| Coriander Seed | 1.75 Kg | Citrus lift and spicy bridge |
| Licorice Root Organic | 300 g | The secret for a velvety, oily mouthfeel |
| Angelica Root | 400 g | Earthy fixative; holds the aroma |
| Orris Root | 200 g | Floral fixative; adds longevity |
| Lemon Peel | 300 g | Bright, sharp citrus top notes |
| Bitter Orange Peel | 300 g | Adds depth and body to the citrus |
| Cinnamon Quills | 150 g | Warmth and base spice |
| Black Peppercorns | 150 g | Piquant, woody heat |
| Ginger Kibbled | 75 g | Bright, cooling, spicy-sweet aroma |
| Cardamom Pods | 150 g | Intense, resinous, and cooling spice |
3. The Distiller’s Methodology
The Maceration (The 15-Hour Soak)
Don't rush the process. Lightly crack your Juniper, Coriander, and Peppercorns, then toss all your "hard" botanicals (roots, seeds, and spices) into the boiler. Let them soak for 15 hours. This "cold soak" extracts the heavy essential oils—especially from the Licorice Root—which creates that luxurious texture on the palate.
The Run & The Cut
Fire the still slowly.
- Foreshots: Discard the first 1.5 L.
- Heads: Collect 10 L (recycle these later).
- The Hearts: This is your liquid gold. Because this is a high-oil recipe, you need to be aggressive with your tails cut. When the ABV hits 63–65%, start tasting. As soon as you detect "damp" or "earthy" notes, stop.
4. The Secret to the Sparkle: RO Water
You’ve made a high-proof masterpiece, but you aren't done yet. To reach the target 45% ABV without your gin turning cloudy (louching), you must follow the RO Protocol:
- Reverse Osmosis Only: Never use tap water for proofing. The minerals react with the oils and create a permanent haze.
- The Slow Marriage: Add your RO water to the spirit in three stages over 48 hours.
- The Rest: Let the finished gin rest in stainless steel for 7–10 days before bottling. This "marrows" the ethanol and water molecules, softening the alcohol "bite."
Ready to fire up the still?
Whether you are running a 500 L commercial rig or a 25 L pilot still, the ingredients matter. At BeerCo.com.au, we stock every root, berry, and spice mentioned here to help you move from "Mother's Ruin" to "Double Gold."
Shop the full Botanical Collection here.
Pro Tip: Do you want to put an Aussie Native twist on your London Dry Gin? No worries - switch out Lemon Peel for Lemon Myrtle. You could try swapping out Black Peppercorns for native Tasmanian Pepperberry. The choices are endless. Need to lift the Citrus notes - feel free to add some local freshly peeled citrus peel in your botanical basket for extra lift. Feel like a more Juniper forward gin? Maybe try triple infusion - maceration, in the pot and in the vapour basket and boost your Juniper load. Feel free to use our base as a building block for your own flair!
Mary of Orange, the daughter of King Charles I married a Dutchman in 1641. Since genever, the forerunner of gin originally comes from the Netherlands, her marriage helped her popularize the drink in England. After Mary died, the British made it legal for anyone to distill their own gin, which directly led to something we now call “the gin craze”. You might say the "the gin craze" has returned again nowadays with an explosion in Aussie Craft Gins and home Gin Distilling. We wish you well on your Gin journey. Be sure to reach out to us and let us know your thoughts on our ode to "Mary" the mother of Gin! Drop us a line anytime to feedback@beerco.com.au or reach out to us if you are looking for botanicals and help to craft your pourfect Gin - we are here to help - Service@BeerCo.com.au or head on over to our website at BeerCo.com.au we have been serving brewers, distillers and makers since 2013.
As we like to say "Our Search is Your Satisfaction!"
Like You, we too are always learning, looking and Searching for our Satisfaction!
Important Legal Notice & Disclaimer
For Educational & Informational Purposes Only The recipes, processes, and technical guidance provided by BeerCo.com.au are shared for informational and learning purposes only. While we are proud to support the growth of the Australian craft spirits industry, the application of this information is at the sole discretion and risk of the user.
Compliance with Australian Law In Australia, it is a strict legal requirement under the Excise Act 1901 to hold a specialized license from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to distill alcohol. It is also a requirement to have a license for any still with a capacity over 5 Litres. Distillers must ensure they are fully compliant with all Federal and State laws, including safety regulations, environmental standards, and excise tax obligations.
Limitation of Liability BeerCo Pty Ltd (and its employees/directors) provides this industry knowledge in good faith. However, we make no guarantees regarding the outcome, safety, or legality of individual distillation runs. By using this information, you agree to indemnify and hold BeerCo.com.au exempt from any legal proceedings, financial losses, or damages arising from the use or misuse of the shared content. We are suppliers of premium ingredients and equipment; the responsibility for the safe and legal operation of a distillery rests entirely with the distiller.