Tag: Greenslopes

Semi-Pro Brewing Co. Opens Microbrewery and Taproom in East Brisbane

Greenslopes residents Mick Guy and Siena Perry, together with their mates Mikarla and Luke Jappinen, have opened Semi-Pro Brewing Co. in Manilla Street. This latest addition to Brisbane’s growing craft beer community is the newest (perhaps, only?) microbrewery and taproom in East Brisbane.

From left to right: Mikarla and Luke Jappinen, Mick Guy, and Siena Perry Photo Credit: Siena Perry

The idea to set up a microbrewery has been brewing for four years. It all started when the guys were homebrewing together for fun in a Geelong Street backyard.

Semi-Pro’s site in Manilla Street used to be an old rope factory. Today, they are ready to continue the tradition of local production with care and expertise. The 314-square metre production facility is now filled with huge, shiny tanks, and a trendy but comfortable 60-seat customer area. The family-friendly bar is now open from Thursdays to Sundays.

“When we were home brewing in the backyard of Geelong St, we did actually joke about how awesome it would be to open a brewery and taproom in the Manilla St warehouses over the fence.”, said Mick, brewer, bartender and Mr Semi-Pro himself.

Photo credit: Facebook/Semi-Pro Brewing Co.

“We started winning local awards, began ‘gypsy’ brewing and then selling wholesale to bars including Tipplers Taps, the Scratch and Bloodhound bar to name a few. That was the relative easy bit,” he added.

The brewery opened in mid-March, just in time for Mick’s birthday.

“It was quite a birthday present, to say the least,” he said.

“People ask if we’re going to change the name. But being semi-pro is knowing there is always more to learn and enjoying the process. It’s about knowing this is meant to be fun first and foremost.”

From a simple backyard brewing to gypsy brewing and winning brewing competitions in Brewsvegas, the Semi-Pro family is now proud to open their doors to craft beer enthusiasts looking for quality beer on tap.

Photo credit: www.semiprobrewing.com.au

Equipped with recipes that have been refined for three years, Semi-Pro’s current biggest sellers are the East Brisbane Lager and the Manilla St Pale.

Photo credit: www.semiprobrewing.com.au

Expect more interesting brews from Semi-Pro as they continue to experiment with different recipes and blends in their new home.

The Semi-Pro family is hosting several events in the coming days. Check out their Facebook page to learn more.

Business hours: Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 4:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Saturday 12:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Sunday 12:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Monday and Wednesday Closed

Win $1,000 Cash at Stones Corner Christmas Twilight Market

The popular Stones Corner Christmas Twilight Market returns on the 3rd of December and everyone has the chance to win $1,000 in cash. Entry forms can be submitted anytime until 4:00 p.m. on the said day. Winners will be drawn at 5:00 p.m. Be advised, however, that winner must be present during the announcement, otherwise a re-draw will be conducted.

You can fill out the entry form here.

What to Expect in This Year’s Stones Corner Christmas Twilight Market


Credit: Stones Corner Market YouTube

Logan Road at Stones Corner will be closed off to traffic to give way to more than 100 stalls that will sell giftware and homewares, arts, crafts, books, specialty foods, sweets, and even jewelry and other trinkets. Kids can enjoy activities like face painting, watching a balloon artist, pony rides, and a jumping castle. There will be a photo op with Santa for only $5. Even your precious furbabies can enjoy the day as there will be stalls selling specialty pet food treats and accessories.

Twilight Christmas Market Street Party
Credit: Stones Corner Market

Fairy Floss will set up a stall at the event. The business offers the most affordable fairy floss for events, parties, and fundraisers. For charity events, Fairy Floss gives organizers 20% of their profits.

Fairy Floss
Credit: Floss Brothers

Lady Marmalade Café and Bar will be present as well. This establishment has been known for sourcing their supplies from the local makers as much as possible. Their popular coffee is from local roaster Elixir. They also offer gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan food made in-house from scratch. Interestingly enough, the café is located in a building that’s nearly a century old, with its original brick walls and old wooden beams remaining intact until now.

Mouth watering food awaits at Stones Corner Twilight Market
Credit: Lady Marmalade Café and Bar

The New York style restaurant 5 Boroughs will be also there to sell their burgers, ribs, and street food such as fish tacos, and cheese fries.

Delicious Burgers
Credit: 5 Boroughs Facebook

Books@Stones/Allmedic Book Supplies will showcase their collection of books from local authors. They have been in the business for more than 35 years, initially specializing in providing medical books. It has since expanded the business and now carry both fiction and non-fiction books by Australian authors.

Books@Stones
Credit: Books@Stones/Allmedic Book Supplies

For more information about the Greenslopes Stones Corner Christmas Twilight Market, please click here.

Make Your Own Kombucha And Ginger Beer in Greenslopes

The Jam Pantry, an all-day breakfast cafe located at 2/575 Logan Rd, Greenslopes, Queensland is hosting a Fermented Christmas Cheer and Drinks Workshop that will run from the 4th to the 25th of November. The workshop will teach participants on how to make kombucha, ginger bug for ginger beer, and other fermented sodas.

Fermented Drinks
Credit: The Jam Pantry Facebook

From bread, cheese, to yogurt, fermentation is one of the oldest forms of food preservation. Liquid drinks, however, remain the most interesting fermented products.

Kombucha, a fermented tea, has been associated with a variety of health benefits. It is said to have originated from China. While this remains unproven until today, Kombucha lovers swear to its digestive effects, detoxifying properties, and immune booster capabilities.

How to Make Kombucha

Kombucha
Credit: CCO Public Domain / Kelseysue2 / Pixabay

Making Kombucha is simple. It only requires equipment that are easily available in the kitchen.

  • A jar (size to be determined based on the amount of Kombucha to be made)
  • A stirring utensil
  • Cloth or paper coffee filter and rubber band

A key ingredient of Kombucha, however, is made from sweetened tea that has been fermented by a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast, known as an active Kombucha SCOBY. Making SCOBY requires more time and more hands-on instructions.

Once an active Kombucha SCOBY is already done, other ingredients are:

  • Unchlorinated water
  • White sugar
  • Tea bags
  • Distilled white vinegar

The following steps are for presentation purposes only. An actual step-by-step demonstration is advisable.

  • Dissolve the sugar into hot water and then place the tea bags to steep.
  • Wait for it to cool before removing and straining the loose tea leaves.
  • Pour the distilled vinegar.
  • Add the active Kombucha SCOBY.
  • Cover the jar with the cloth or paper coffee filter and use the rubber band to tighten.
  • Set aside the mixture for a maximum of 30 days.
  • Add other flavourings and can be placed inside bottles.


Credit: Cultures For Health/YouTube

How to Make Ginger Beer

Ginger Beer
Credit: CCO Public Domain / user1496066598 / Pixabay

Ginger, the main ingredient of this drink, is known to cure nausea, motion sickness, morning sickness, and mild upset stomachs. Like the Kombucha, ginger beer requires an ingredient – ginger syrup – which is produced using a symbiotic colony of yeast and Lactobacillus. As for the other ingredients, they are simple and easily available.

  • Sugar
  • Water
  • Grated fresh ginger
  • Yeast and Ginger syrup
  • Lemon juice

The following steps are for presentation purposes only. An actual step-by-step demonstration is advisable.

  • Grate the ginger and then mix with water and sugar in a saucepan. Steep this mixture for an hour and then let it cool.
  • Strain for solid residues after cooling.
  • Strain the mixture (discard the ginger solids) and allow to cool.
  • Using a funnel, sprinkle the yeast, the syrup, lemon juice, water and stir until dissolved.
  • Put another batch of freshly grated ginger, cover the bottle, and shake the mixture.
  • Set aside for 2-3 days and be sure to consume within 1-2 weeks.


Credit: Jamie Oliver/YouTube

For a more comprehensive guide on how to make Kombucha and Ginger Beer, know more about the Fermented Christmas Cheer and Drinks Workshop by The Jam Pantry.

Click here for event tickets. Admission is exclusive for adults only.