Local business is at the heart of every community, and we can\u2019t think of a better time than right now to pay it forward by supporting businesses in and around Armstrong Creek, Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula.\u00a0
\nEach month we profile business drawn from the local community. This month, we shine a light on Flying Brick Cider House, The Bellarine\u2019s first cidery. This fun and hugely popular local landmark venue is the perfect place to taste a paddle of ciders, as well as some of best Bellarine wines around and a solid selection of beer, not to mention plenty of amazing food without the \u2018fancy\u2019.
\nWe talk to Lyndsay Sharp, who co-owns and operates The Flying Brick Cider House along with her husband, David.<\/p>\n
When did you open the Flying Brick Cider House?
\nThe custom-built Flying Brick Cider House opened its doors in December 2014.
\nWhy? What was the motivation for doing so?\u00a0
\nWe started crafting Flying Brick ciders in 2010 in our winery at Leura Park Estate. It was very much a case of good timing, a bit of luck and having a go. You could tangibly \u2018feel\u2019 that cider was about to become the next big thing in the drinks\u2019 market – not really a huge surprise as cider is an ideal beverage for the Australian climate and culture.
\nIt was also a case of lateral integration \u2013 our stainless-steel wine fermenters (in which a lot of our aromatic white wines are crafted such as Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Grigio) were sitting dormant for six months of the year.
\nThe concept of cider making was not especially daunting for our winemakers. Cider-making is very similar to wine-making \u2013 fresh fruit is crushed, fermented and bottled. Just like grapes, there are tannins and natural sugars in apples and pears.
\nThe demand was huge! Flying Brick quickly became the fastest growing craft cider in Australia. In fact, it got to the stage where we felt Flying Brick Cider Co deserved its own \u2018home\u2019 and so the Cider House was born.
\nWhere did the name Flying Brick come from?
\nThe quirky name comes from the Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoo whose local nick name is \u2018Flying Brick\u2019. Known for their spunk, these birds are loved for their happy, playful and seemingly \u2018naughty\u2019 appearance and disposition. Local legend also has it that if a flock of black cockatoos flies overhead, you are blessed with good luck.<\/p>\n
How many people work at\u00a0Flying Brick Cider House?
\nAll up, around 20 people work at the actual Cider House itself \u2013 from the GM to chefs, an events manager and front of house team. Behind the scenes there is also our Cider Maker, Nyall Condon, and winery team who craft all the ciders. Then there\u2019s the marketing, administration, sales and warehouse side of things as well, all of whom have played a critical role in making Flying Brick Cider Co what it is today.
\nWhat are the best \u2013 and worst, things about owning your own business?
\nOne of the best things is being able to make decisions and activate concepts quickly and assessing then adapting on the run if and when required. Literally being in control of your own work destiny is invigorating \u2013 there\u2019s no red tape, and we both love that.
\nDitto with being able to work together in our own business \u2013 luckily, we both very much enjoy it! There\u2019s a line in the sand and neither of us cross it. David heads up all things agricultural, production, logistics and finance. I head up all things marketing, sales, and the hospitality side. We come together over product (wine and cider) development and evolution.
\nThe downside is that it really is a 24\/7 proposition. So, the buck very much stops with the two of us when there are any challenges.
\nWhat do you love most about your job?\u00a0
\nFacilitating great, memorable downtimes for people is a privilege \u2013 whether it\u2019s enjoying a Flying Brick Cider at home, in a paddock, at a pub, at a picnic with friends and family or \u2018cruising\u2019 at the Cider House, enjoying great ambience, food, cider and wine \u2013 it\u2019s all about experience.
\nWhat is the funniest\/weirdest thing that has ever happened to you at work?\u00a0
\nA customer once told me that our natural oysters and the accompanying vinaigrette, were delicious but \u2018that white stuff was really salty\u2019. The \u2018white stuff\u2019 was actually the pure rock salt the oysters were sitting on, definitely not supposed to be eaten. That customer would have been thirsty for days!
\nWhat are your\u00a0 favourite things to do in and around the Bellarine Peninsula?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Embracing and enjoying all the wonderful food and wine options this region is renowned for \u2013 from farm gate producers making honey, cheese and bread through to wining and dining out at great local restaurants and caf\u00e9s. We really are blessed in our region.
\nEnjoying the lifestyle \u2013 the space, the beaches, the countryside.
\nEmbracing the region\u2019s creative industries \u2013 the arts, theatre and live music culture are evolving at a rate of knots.
\nCheering Geelong Cats at GMHBA Stadium.<\/p>\n
What are your top tips for surviving lockdown?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Accepting that this is a situation beyond our control. Focusing on those things we can control and doing them to the best of our ability.
\nFinding joy in the journey \u2013 a little laughter, compassion and gratitude goes a long way.
\nEstablishing and maintaining some form of routine so that you feel each day, that you have achieved something you set out to do.
\nDoing something every day which you might not have found \u2018the time\u2019 for pre-lockdown \u2013 it doesn\u2019t have to be mind-blowing or work-related \u2013 even if it\u2019s cooking something new, planting some vegetables or fixing up an old table.
\nExercising regularly \u2013 even a handful of endorphins is a good thing.<\/p>\n
For more information\/bookings\/take out\/ dining\/offers etc contact:
\nwww.flyingbrickciderco.com.au or else ring 5250 6577. Facebook and Insta Flying Brick Cider Co.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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