By Michael Burt
An exciting new business brewing in Dorrigo is destined to boost the Bellingen Shire’s food and beer credentials.
Harry Jacks Brewing Co is stepping through the final planning processes to build a brewery, restaurant and function centre on Cudgery Street opposite the Dorrigo sport fields.
Dorrigo locals Steven and Anna Guest purchased the former site of Forestry NSW at 1 Cudgery Street in 2023 and are about to enter the construction phase.
“We had been driving past it for a long time and then it came up for sale. The original plan was to do a motel, but Anna said no let’s make it a brewery and restaurant,” Mr Guest said.
“It’s been a long journey since then to get where we are now, which is getting everything ready for a construction certificate. Our architect Wayne Young from Bellingen has done a lot of work on it.”
Mr Guest will also be using local builders and trades people once construction starts. The goal is to be open in for Winter 2027.
He said the venue will be able to cater for weddings and other functions with a seating capacity of up to 200. The Guests have been promoting regional craft beers from the likes of New England Brewing, King Tide and Welded Dog through a beer van at local markets and functions.
Commercial Craft beer recipe development for the Harry Jacks Brewery is underway with barley sourced from NSW and hops sourced from the south coast region. Harry Jacks Brewing Co has also become an official sponsor of our Bellingen Dorrigo Junior Magpies for the 2026 season.
Mr Guest’s passion for craft beers started with a bit of homebrewing that was soon “scaled up” to share the results with family and friends. That led to the completion of brewing science course and now the bold step of building and running a craft brewery.
“It can be rabbit hole going down the beer brewing path, but I love it.”
Bellingen Shire Councillors voted to back the project at the Council’s July Ordinary meeting with a resolution to seek community feedback on a proposal for financial assistance to support the Harry Jacks Brewing Co brewery and restaurant development.
The proposal would allow 50% of the Section 64 water and sewer developer charges to be paid upfront, with the remaining balance deferred for up to 18 months. The charges would not be waived, and water and sewer usage would be reviewed after 12 months of normal operation, with developer charges reconciled in line with the proposed arrangement.
The estimated section 64 water and sewer developer charges for the development are $326,123.1 and the deferred amount is approximately $163,061.56.
Council has not yet approved the financial assistance. Following the public exhibition period, all submissions received will be considered before Council decides whether to approve, amend, or refuse the proposal.
“The support from the local community has been incredible, and the craft brewing community is a really tight knit one. We’ve had lots of support and advice from other local craft breweries. Josh from King Tide and Ben from New England Brewing have been amazing.”
Public submissions on the Council’s proposal for assistance close on26 August 2026, 04:00 PM. Head to the Have Your Say section of the Council’s website.