Becoming the local for locals who in turn, become our extended family. This is the mission for local Dandenong brewer, Bojak Brewing.
With a passion for carefully crafted beers alongside delicious food using locally produced ingredients, for owners, Sue and Dale, it’s the small, finer details that count. The team brew all their beers on site which also hosts a tap room with 14 taps within its bar and restaurant. They also distribute wholesale stock in keg and can format across Victoria.
Sue and Dale both work full-time in and on the business with Dale as Brewer and Sue overseeing the general running of the business – as any small business owner knows, this is no small feat! They now employ four bar staff, a chef and a canning line assistant/delivery driver.
Like many businesses, the COVID-19 pandemic hit the team at Bojak hard. Sue said, “We had merely been open for 12 months before we were virtually closed for two years. We did learn a lot in those two years and tried to remain positive.”
This positivity has seen them come out the other side and now can proudly say they have just clocked over to six years in business.
Sue added, “We had a lot of loyal customers who continued to support us through the pandemic which was so important to survival. Things are still tough with living expenses and the uncertainty of our economy and interest rates, but we just continue to ensure we have a delicious consistent product and a great experience when you visit.”
Recently, Sue and Dale applied and successfully secured a business grant with American Express through the company’s Shop Small Business Grant Program. The process was like any grant, a long and very thorough vetting process. It really made the team consider what was important for the future of Bojak Brewing. Previously, this grant was only open to Sydney businesses and 2024 was the first year it was available to Melbourne businesses.
Sue credits Council’s Business and Investment team, without their support, they would never have known about the grant in the first place.
“We signed up to the Council’s business e-newsletter, Talking Business, so we could stay up-to-date on the latest happenings. We also hear regularly from the business team and this particular email from Helen was great timing for us,” Sue said.
As a result of the grant we have improved facilities in our taproom kitchen, installed outdoor heaters to ensure our beer garden is virtually useable all year round, we have upgraded our brewing equipment (density meter to ensure readings are more accurate) and we have purchased a carton box taper to make processes a little easier on canning days.
Bojak Brewing are strong believers in supporting local business and make a point of using local products and acknowledging businesses that create delicious foods in our backyard. Sue comments La Bohemia in Noble Park have incredible Chilean food – they supply our business with empanadas, the ever popular mac cheese bites are from good friends at Mac Man and their oven baked salted pretzels are from family run business, Bretzel.
Looking to 2025, goals are tricky to set when the current climate is so tumultuous but the team at Bojak Brewing continue to remain positive as after all, that recipe alongside a lot of hard work saw them survive the pandemic. In short, the focus is on continuing to create delicious beers, expand their wholesale trade and look to have a little more time off with family.
Businesses can sign-up to Council’s monthly business e-newsletter.
Or if would like to speak to the Business Team Members, please email business@cgd.vic.gov.au or phone 8571 1550 for any business-related questions and support.
Location: 5 Bennet Street, Dandenong
Website: bojakbrewing.com.au
