Key Takeaways
Distilling machinery requires a lot of energy to run, especially when working overtime to produce hand sanitiser in a condensed timeframe.
With a new solar system from AGL, the distillery could run their machinery based on solar power and produce hand sanitiser energy efficiently.
The new solar system meant they didn’t have the energy consumption worries they would’ve had running off the grid or the smaller solar system they had before.
Losing upwards of $700,000 in revenue can spell doom for a young, small business. But Noosa Heads Distillery Operations Director Tim Crabtree explains how his team navigated COVID-19 and what he learned in the process.
Noosa Heads Distillery, the Sunshine Coast’s first distillery, opened its doors in March 2019. Sharing premises and ownership with Land & Sea Brewery, Noosa Heads Distillery produces spirits in a massive 2000-litre copper pot reflux still. There’s also a tasting room with an extensive cocktail menu.
A commitment to sustainability drives the business. “We do a lot of environmental stuff here, try to stay off the grid, be as self-sufficient as we can,” Tim Crabtree says. Their efforts have resulted in Plastic Free Noosa gold membership and accreditation under Surfrider Foundation Australia’s ‘Ocean Friendly’ program.
Using low-impact methods, the distillery made a big impact in the world of spirits. Just four months after opening, the distillery won three 2019 Royal Australian Spirit Awards medals.