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NSW Success Stories – Bucketty’s Brewing

Bucketty's Brewing Co., BrookvaleCredit: Bucketty's Brewing Co

Bucketty's Brewing Co.,

#lovensw #ilovesydney

NSW Success Stories – Bucketty’s Brewing

Bucketty's Brewing Co., Brookvale Credit: Bucketty's Brewing Co

Bucketty's Brewing Co.,

#lovensw #ilovesydney

Hashtags #lovensw #ilovesydney

It took just five hours for the team at Bucketty’s Brewing Co. to upend the way they do business when lockdown hit. The new Brookvale brewery, along with many other businesses, would be forced into temporary closure from 6pm that evening.  

With retail sales across the tap room responsible for around 99 per cent of business revenue since it opened in February this year, the prospect of losing this revenue stream was understandably daunting for the new business. Co-owner Nick McDonald and his team were willing to shift gears, and in just a few hours they had transformed their brewery into a drive-through takeaway beer shop. This quick pivot has sold more than 8000 litres of beer and attracts an average of 500 locals every weekend, with customers both loyal and new buying takeaway pints, tacos and merchandise, and filling growlers. 

“We built Bucketty's on the concept of sharing our beers in person. We love being creative with our brews, pouring pints and having a laugh with the community… All our energy had gone into making our tap room the place to be,” says McDonald, who had already delayed the brewery’s launch due to various restrictions.  

“We love a challenge and thinking of new ways to bring the good times so… we got thinking about how we could still sell beer and have a bit of a laugh,” he said. So Bucketty’s drive-through brewery tap room was born and within hours it became a neighbourhood hit. In fact, the drive-through welcomed its first customer just 63 minutes after the brewery closed its doors, and queues are standard fare on weekends.  

“What started off as a crazy idea at 2pm, took shape throughout the afternoon and by 6pm we ushered the last punter out the door with the whole team staying back and getting to work,” McDonald. By 7pm that day the small but dedicated team had created a makeshift drive-through with lights and kegs indicating the traffic flow. 

From a revenue point of view, the temporary set-up can’t compete with the foot traffic accommodated by the indoor brewery, but business goals are still being kicked. The drive-through has sold more than 600 growlers and 4000 refills, compared to pre-lockdown figures of 40 and 150 respectively. That’s the equivalent of 8000 litres – or 21,800 cans – of beer poured into reusable bottles with no packaging waste. A huge achievement for a small brewery.  

McDonald believes the drive-through's success is the culmination of a number of factors: “I don't think it's one thing, but I like to think our beer is pretty bloody good, and the folks around here appreciate what we're trying to do.” 

“I joke that we're a good-times factory that just happens to sell beer, so when we think about ways to make it fun an enjoyable for punters (and us!) then people seem to respond. On Friday and Saturday night we'll absolutely crank the music and set the mood. Why the hell not?”  

McDonald says it has been amazing “to help people feel a little less locked up and encourage them to come down and support [Bucketty’s] without risking their health. “And it also helps keep us sane!” he adds. 

buckettys.com.au
Instagram: instagram.com/buckettys
Facebook: facebook.com/Buckettys

The NSW Government via Destination NSW is sharing a series of NSW Success Stories – businesses of all types that have adapted their offerings to face the current environment and continue serving their community with a fresh approach and shining success. These innovative initiatives are nothing short of inspiring.  

For more information on things to see and do in Sydney go to www.sydney.com.  

Share your favourite holidays in Sydney and NSW on social media using @sydney #ilovesydney @visitnsw #lovensw. 

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