Murrumbateman's getting a new brewpub from Graeme Shaw

Canberra is to get a new brewery in the heart of Murrumbateman wine country.

It's the brainchild of developer and proprietor of Shaw Vineyard Estate, Graeme Shaw.

He says a brewpub and accompanying restaurant will be built in Canberra's north as part of Fairlie, a mixed residential–tourist development on Murrumbateman's north-western edge.

The project will include 110 houses on blocks of "1200 square metres plus", says Shaw.

And a planned commercial development will comprise a 52-room hotel, a visitor centre,

cafes and restaurants, a bakery, a medical centre, and park as well as the brewery.

Housing construction on stage 1 of the residential area, along with site works on stage 2, commenced in early March. And by the end of April Shaw expects to lodge a development application for the commercial component.

Shaw believes the development, on the north-western boundary of Murrumbateman, will be the "first expansion of the village since the 1870s".

The commercial site sits on the corner of the new Fairlie access road and the Barton Highway. The hotel will be on the right hand side of the new road, opposite the brewery and other components.

"The brewery will be prominent and clearly visible from the highway. It'll be part of a significant tourist attraction supporting local wineries", say Shaw.

The brewery, targeted at tourists, will produce draft beer for consumption in its bar and restaurant, and packaged beer for the take-away trade and potentially wider distribution.

Shaw expects construction to commence during the last quarter of 2016, with first drinks flowing by spring 2017.

Shaw is currently in discussions with Fyshwick brewer, Christoph Zierholz.