Johnston's Brewery

The building that would later become Johnston's Brewery was erected in 1862 by Wienholt and Walker. In 1887 John  (Jack) Johnston acquired the property to establish his brewery. He was the son of Ipswich’s second mayor (1862), also named John Johnston. The property was previously owned by store proprietor Mr. S. G. Melvin who had manufactured lollies and sweets at this location. In even earlier days, Ipswich Theatre, a long wooden building, had stood on this approximate site at the corner of Wharf and Bremer Streets.

Cellarage at the brewery was 120ft long by 30ft wide. With his own recipes for beer and stout, Jack Johnston's business flourished, employing eight men full time and many others in season. Country centres and hostelries around Ipswich were supplied. Johnston was also West Moreton agent for Castlemaine Brewery. 

In 1889 the brewery was turning out ale and porter. Situated opposite to the brewery was Ipswich Rowing Club's boat house. John Pettigrew was located across from the brewery around this time. For a couple of years from 1894 the aerated water and cordial business of Livermore and Whiffin stood next door. 

The brewery was completely inundated in the historical 1893 flood when brewery and barrels were destroyed. Another disaster occurred in 1902 when fire struck the business. The next few years following this event are murky and the brewery may have ceased to function as such. In 1903 there was a clearing-out sale of iron and timber (possibly remnants of the fire). This sale was advertised as being 'on premises recently known as Johnston's Brewery.' 

In 1911, Mr. Johnston offered the site for sale. He then left Ipswich and became licensee of the Gresham Hotel in Brisbane. 

A few years later in January 1914, R. C. McWilliam opened a wholesale wine and spirit  business in the old brewery.

In 1920 the cellars and remaining shell of the brewery were purchased by Mr. Gustof Muller and houses for his daughters were built on the site above the cellars from some of the original timber and ironwork. 

Ipswich Heritage Lodge (accommodation) now stands on the site of the old Johnston's Brewery.