Co-founder of leading independent Melbourne brewery Stomping Ground Brewing Co Steve Jeffares recently announced his next endeavour, currently under the working title of ‘Paran Place Project’.
Well known for achievements such as the Great Australian Beer SpecTAPular (GABS) festival, the GABS Hottest 100 and The Local Taphouse, Jeffares has stepped back from his full-time role at Stomping Ground to take on the new initiative, although he remains an active shareholder with the company.
For this latest project, Jeffares has taken over a Glen Iris space that was, until last month, home of Deeds Brewing.
While the beer baron has not acquired either the brand or the brewery, he plans to extend the taproom space with an all-weather beer garden.
The still-to-be-named venue will showcase Victorian independent breweries, food suppliers and other producers and is expected to open by the end of this year, aiming to create ‘the place to be’.
Jeffares, who has been passionate about promoting independent beer for more than two decades, is certain there are further opportunities in the industry.
“I’ve been a big fan of what Pat, Dave and the Deeds team achieved so I’m looking forward to building on the site’s reputation as a beacon for independent beer in Melbourne’s inner southeast,” he enthused.
“The plan is to build a hospo A-team to help run the venue day-to-day.
“I then hope to create, collaborate and consult on other fun and creative projects, both in the indie beer and hospo industries, but also in other areas I’m interested in, like events,” Jeffares said.
