Cypher Brewing Co. CEO and co-founder Jeff Wilson Shipley. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
Cypher Brewing Co is unlocking the secrets to great beer in the centre of Gungahlin.
Canberra local Jeff Wilson Shipley and his mates loved home brewing and trying different styles of beers. When he saw a craft brewery in NSW go up for sale, he began thinking about jumping into the industry.
“We thought about buying it but realised we’d have to drive back and forth and probably relocate. So we thought maybe it wasn’t for us, but it got us thinking seriously about starting our own brewery in Canberra,” Jeff told Region.
Jeff, the CEO and co-found of the brewery, describes himself as something of an ‘energiser bunny’ once he gets an idea in his head, so he got to work on getting a group of mates involved to make the dream a reality.
“I sort of said, ‘Alright, who’s actually in?’ and we went from there.”
The Cypher brewpub location is right near the light rail in Gungahlin. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
Deciding on a location was a tough decision. As a south sider, Jeff was initially keen to set something up in Tuggeranong, but – after spending a bit of time studying recent census data – he thought that the population density in the Gungahlin town area was really appealing.
In the end, it all came down to public transport.
“The light rail access was a tipping point for us,” Jeff said.
The Cypher team had a busy weekend at the multicultural festival. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
Jeff wanted a space with high ceilings and big windows and was lucky to find the perfect space within 200 metres of the light rail stop at Gungahlin Place. The site plans detail on-site brewery facilities, a commercial kitchen and bar, and plenty of space for punters to sit and enjoy a drink.
It’s currently a construction site, but the team is hoping to open their doors by the end of April.
The Cypher team is keen for community feedback to inform their decisions: a play space was added after speaking with local parents. The brewing team – led by head brewer Matt Thiele – has asked for feedback on their website to gauge the tastes and preferences of their customers.
So far, the Cypher team have had good feedback on their beers: Exhale XPA and Firesprite Red IPA. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
Jeff says there will be about four to six core beers on tap, with a rotating cast of seasonal brews and collaborations. They’re keen to make their own cider and are considering brewing some darker beers for winter.
Cypher had a stall at the Multicultural Festival recently and was blown away by the support they received, not only from customers but also from the other local breweries.
The plans for the site detail a commercial kitchen, mixed seating options and a bar, and space for brewing on-site. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
Jeff said they’ve had some positive feedback on the two beers they took to the festival: the session-able Exhale XPA and the Firesprite Red IPA.
The menu at the brewpub is yet to be confirmed but will likely feature share plates, and Jeff says they’re hoping to reflect and celebrate the cultural diversity of their neighbourhood. Nepali momo dumplings and Indian curries are a possibility!
As well as popping up at local events, Cypher recently had a couple of kegs on tap at the Old Canberra Inn, so there may be more chances to get your hands on a Cypher beer if you just can’t wait until the brewery opens its doors!
Cypher Brewing Co is located at 3/35 Hinder Street Gungahlin, close to the Gungahlin Place terminal light rail stop. Follow them on Facebook or Instagram to find out when they’re launching and where you can find their beers in the meantime.
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