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The recently opened Microbrewery at Woodburn’s iconic Rod N Reel Hotel has 7 beers brewed on the premises, with both the bistro, bottle shop, Microbrewery and Hotel open 7 days from 10.30am. images: Rod N Reel Woodburn

Rod N Reel Woodburn Microbrewery

Rodney Stevens

Inspired when they travelled through the United States and Canada, noting how each pub had its own local brew, a seed was planted in Daniel and Naomi Simpson’s minds.

Then when the lease for the Rod N Reel Hotel at Woodburn came up in October 2006, the 26-year-old couple, who were child free, jumped at the opportunity and moved from their home at Springfield on the NSW Central Coast to the Northern Rivers to become publicans of the iconic pub.

What grew from that seed that was planted in Daniel’s mind after travelling North America, which spawned years before the current proliferation of small breweries, was the idea of opening a microbrewery at the Rod N Reel Hotel.

That was 18 years ago and finally, after circumstances, finances and floods preventing Daniel’s dream being realised, the Rod N Reel Microbrewery officially opened on December 1, 2024.

In February 2022, when record breaking flooding hit the Northern Rivers region, Woodburn was swallowed by the torrent that came down the Richmond River, inundating the Rod N Reel with 2.5 metres of flood water, destroying almost everything in the popular pub.

After spending more than 15 years in Woodburn, Daniel and Naomi said they thought they owed it to the town to get the hotel operating again, so they set about the arduous task of rebuilding.

In December 2022, despite being unsure of how the town would come back from such a disaster, Daniel and Naomi invested in Woodburn by purchasing the building to ensure a future for the Rod N Reel.

Images on the Rod N Reel Hotel’s website tell the story of the devastation in the town, and the rebirth of the hotel, from the mud-covered bar, poker machines and pool table, to the devastated kitchen and bottle shop.

As many Woodburn residents were displaced, some people were living in caravans or trying to come to grips with losing everything they had worked their whole lives for, Daniel and Naomi thought for the hotel to prosper, it had to become a destination that people want to travel to.

So along with the beautifully renovated premises, Daniel and Naomi have revamped the menu and bistro, added the Kids Zone, with a custom designed play area and climbing wall for the children, and now a Microbrewery for the adults.

Daniel said they undertook a lot of research and planning of the Microbrewery, before obtaining fantastic assistance from Bespoke Brewing Solutions to set up at the Rod N Reel Hotel.

Now, with seven beers brewed on the premises ranging from the Goldfish, a 3.5 per-cent Lager and the 3.5 per-cent Baby Piranha Pale Ale, to the 4 per-cent Richmond River Dark Ale, the 4.6 per-cent Hazy Summer Lager, the 5 per-cent Pickled Piranha Pale Ale, the 5.7 per-cent Heavy Hefe, and the 5.8 per-cent, Gap Road Golden Ale, Daniel said the Rod N Reel Microbrewery has proved popular with locals and tourists since opening.

Visit the Rod N Reel Hotel, 99-103 River Street, Woodburn, from 10.30 am daily, and enjoy a meal from the bistro 7 days a week.

https://rodnreel.com.au/