A 120-year-old brewing legacy in Leederville is set to be revived.

In 1896 JJ Wallis established the Golden West Company, operating out of a large factory on Carr Place and selling “aerated waters, The High Class Rain Water Drink”.

The factory was demolished in the 1970s and the recently completed apartments on that site has an arty bubble-like design that pays homage to the decades of effervescent drinks produced there.

• A 1910s postcard for the old Golden West Company in Leederville. Photo courtesy City of Vincent Local History Centre

Now the name itself will be revived with a new microbrewery planned for the rear-neighbouring block, which fronts onto Newcastle Street.

Modular Brewing has put in an application to have the block rezoned light industrial.

It’s early days but they’ve passed the first hurdle this week with Vincent council approving the rezoning.

Unlike a brewpub where the beer’s served on site, it’ll be a small brewing operation, with three staff making 400 to 1000 litres a week.

• The inside of the Golden West Aerated Drinks Company, circa 1920s. Photo courtesy City of Vincent Local History Centre

In the application to Vincent council they owners of Modular Brewing say they “fell in love with [the] historic concept of this story and thus propose to reignite the ‘Golden West’ story in Leederville by trading under the name of ‘Golden West Brewing’.”

During the public consultation period, 31 nearby neighbours sent in submissions, with 28 in favour, one against, and two with concerns.

Most concerns were about odours, since brewing operations get a bit smelly when boiling up the wort (if you’ve been in Fremantle on brewing day you can smell the Little Creatures tanks from as far away as the Esplanade).  One of the council’s approval conditions is to adhere to the odour management plans they’ve had drawn up.

by DAVID BELL