The Black Range Brewery, or the Breakaway Brewery as it was also known, began trading in August of 1907 with the proprietor as Joseph Vincent Kearney, an Irishman born in 1873 at Ballymoon, Co Carlow, Ireland. The manager was Michael ‘Mick’ Dempsey. It was located on the Maninga Marley Road, 4.8 kilometres from Sandstone. What was unusual about the location was that it was built on the top of a 12-meter-high breakaway (a sandstone outcrop).
Two men who had previously worked in breweries were brought out from Ireland to help. These were the Cummins brothers, John and Tom (Tom was later to become a storekeeper in Sandstone). It’s possible that they may have been relatives of Joseph, as his mother’s maiden name was Cummins.
The Sandstone Brewery – photo courtesy of Peter Green from Leanne Coyle.
Black Range Courier and Sandstone Observer – 23 August 1907, page 2
The Black Range Brewery
During the past six months the completion of the Oroya-Black Range GM crushing and winding plants has made a vast difference in the outlook from all sides, and whereas formerly many people were frequently lost for many hours within call of the mining camps, it would be difficult to find a spot within, a dozen miles from which the latest addition to the architectural embellishments of Sandstone and its surroundings cannot be seen. This is the establishment known as the Black Range Brewery, just completed by the enterprising Mr Joseph Vincent Kearney, so long and favourably known on the Murchison.
Brewery Cellar Entrance – Photo Sally Senior – From Gold to Wool and Back Again.
The brewery can be seen from every elevated piece of country for 10 or 12 miles around, and the view from the upper portion of the building is a magnificent one. Mr Kearney made a happy selection so far as site is concerned. The brewery is built on top of a breakaway, close to where the cliff drops some 30 or 40 feet to a sloping spur leading to the extensive mineral belt to the north and east. From the topmost storey where water is pumped from a well sunk on the flat east of the brewery, the product of the establishment finds its way by gravitation to the coolers (which are to be provided with fans in the hot weather) and thence to two large vats on the main floor.
From thence to the cellar, which is an immense tunnel driven into the face of the breakaway, pipes convey the beer to the receptacles provided, and in the commodious cellar, which by means of a connecting rise or winze can be kept remarkably cool even in the hottest weather. The manager and his staff complete the work required before dispatching the liquor to the surrounding hotels. Mr Kearney was very fortunate in striking a good supply of excellent water so close to the brewery. An oil engine (2.5 h.p.) does the pumping without difficulty, and all the other machinery and plant has been carefully chosen; no difficulty will be experienced in supplying local requirements unless there is an extraordinarily large increase of population.
Black Range Courier and Sandstone Observer – 4 Aug 1907
The first brew was ready on Saturday, and many residents were present by invitation (and otherwise) on Sunday and Monday to sample the beer, which was pronounced first class by all who tasted it. Already a big demand has set in for the local product, and Mr Kearney is making arrangements for prompt delivery at all hotels throughout the district. Mr M. Dempsey is the manager of the brewery, while a capable brewer, in Mr Wacher, has been secured. The brewery is well worth visiting, even by those who do not indulge in the “glass that cheers”
