Cape Byron Bay Distillery has released its Pacific Moonshine and ManSpace magazine gave it a whirl this World Moonshine Day, 5 June 2021.
The Pacific Moonshine is distilled out of unused kegs of Stone & Wood Pacific Ale that never saw the light of day after the COVID-19 pandemic shut the pubs down. The result is a crisp, refreshing spirit that holds similar qualities to its ale predecessor while also taking on a dry, citrusy taste from the moonshine.
As ManSpace wrote about during its announcement: “[The] fresh Pacific Ale was transported just a short ten-minute drive up the road to Cape Byron Distillery where the beer was artfully distilled twice through ‘George’, the 2,000L custom-made copper pot still, to create a spirit not too dissimilar to the production of single malt whisky.”
Adding to those flavours, the distillers recommend it be paired with a bottle of CAPI grapefruit to build on its bitter, citrus flavours and to be honest, it was stunning. Heading into the review, I hadn’t dabbled much in moonshine, but this was a great introduction.
Or as the distillers describe the spirit: “Bursting with flavours of tropical fruits such as fresh pineapple, lychee, passionfruit and mango, along with hints of malt on the nose. The taste is citrusy and dry with a medium to long finish.”
Something the Moonshine does is go absolutely swimmingly on a cocktail. My personal favourite was the recommended Jungle Bush Bird, a mix of moonshine, Campari, pineapple juice, lime juice and sugar syrup.
With the weather cooling down, it’s an ideal time to move away from those summer beers and into something cosy like spirits.
And you can drink consciously knowing that the Cape Byron Distillery is working on several sustainability ventures alongside its drinks. Cape Byron Distillery co-founder and distiller Eddie Brook says: “Sustainability and regeneration efforts are in our DNA. Over 30 years ago my parents bought a rundown dairy farm in the Byron Bay hinterland and planted 40,000 native subtropical rainforest trees. Today, our Distillery is perched in the heart of this thriving and lush ecosystem. Supporting local community regeneration is at the core of what we do, so making this peculiar ‘beer spirit’ with Stone & Wood was a no brainer.”
“So to celebrate World Moonshine Day, which aptly coincides with World Environment Day, we have teamed up with CAPI to offer a ‘Moonlight Paloma Bundle’, so everyone has the chance to experience this sustainable tipple. The bundle will include Pacific Moonshine, CAPI grapefruit soda and ingredients to prepare a fresh ‘Moonlight Paloma’ cocktail. We’re also excited to mark this occasion by donating $15,000 to the inGrained Foundation – a national not-for-profit also based in the Northern Rivers, who support grassroots environmental and social charities.”
Pacific Moonshine and the Moonlight Paloma Bundle is available to purchase via their website or their Distillery Cellar Door in Byron Bay. You can also purchase Pacific Moonshine at the Stone & Wood store.
