Sobah, nestled in an industrial precinct of Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast, boasts the quintessential atmosphere of a traditional brewery. Its expansive 25-hectolitre brewhouse and glistening tanks mirror the familiar sights found in countless breweries nationwide.
However, Sobah’s essence, including its narrative, diverges markedly from the ordinary. Operating from 7am most days, the establishment offers a contemporary café menu that champions indigenous ingredients. Ascending the premises, patrons will discover a gallery adorned with Indigenous art.
Central to Sobah’s distinct identity is the non-alcoholic beer that has been in production since 2017, marking the Burleigh Heads location as Australia’s inaugural brewery singularly devoted to crafting non-alcoholic brews. This milestone crowns the culmination of an extensive journey for Dr. Clinton Schultz, a Gamilaroi man and psychologist, and his wife, Lozen McDiarmid-Schultz, as pictured alongside head brewer Luke Cooper.
Clinton reflects on the endeavor, expressing, “It’s taken almost three years to the day from when we first started looking for a property to actually being able to open the doors,” characterizing the moment as “quite surreal.”
Beyond the stainless steel equipment, Sobah also houses a retail enclave that extends beyond the sale of their beer. Here, one can peruse cookbooks authored by culinary luminary Nornie Bero of Mabu Mabu, along with a menu that, akin to Sobah’s libations, spotlights native ingredients. Overseeing the dining area is a mural by First Nations artist Alara Geebung Cameron, featuring his portrayal of the majestic wedgetail eagle, Maliyan, which is also emblematic of Sobah’s branding.
Clinton elucidates, “We wanted this whole space to be an experience. We didn’t want people to just come in and stare at some tanks.”
