Imbibis craft distillery is the result of an award winning Queensland winemaker fulfilling his dream of crafting bespoke artisan spirits from Queensland produce. Our distiller wanted to translate his love of Queensland wine, gin and brandy into something tangible and as a result Imbibis was born. We are gaining a reputation for being one of Australia’s finest producers of gin and brandy.
Our philosophy is to make award winning spirits with integrity. We use the highest quality local products, respecting nature and our resources, to guarantee a memorable drinking experience.
Imbibis is a world where emotions run wild. Imbibis is thought-provoking. Imbibis is a state of mind. Imbibis is about connections. Great quality products, great friends, great times.
Imbibis handcrafted, artisan gins and brandies are made in Ipswich, in the heart of Southeast Queensland, by our highly experienced chief distiller, Jason Hannay. Jason, an award-winning winemaker, had a dream of crafting bespoke, artisan spirits from Queensland produce. Imbibis is that vision realised. Before founding Imbibis, Jason had 20 years’ experience in the Queensland wine industry and some 600 distillation runs to his name. With his passion for wine, it was inevitable that the humble grape would be used in the production of his gins and brandy. Creating his spirits isn’t just a job for Jason, it’s how he expresses his love of local wine, gin and brandy into something tangible, something beautiful he can share with others.
It’s how he combines his passion for the science behind distillation with the artistic freedom required to capture and create the unique flavours his products are renowned for. Imbibis award-winning products are handcrafted in a bespoke copper pot still that was designed by Jason specifically for small batch processing, adding to the unique experience that comes with discovering an Imbibis gin. The Imbibis philosophy is based on creating spirits with integrity, with only the highest quality local products and produce utilised, while respecting nature, to create a memorable drinking experience. Imbibis is more than just a drink, it’s an experience.
Co-founder, Creative Director & All-Round Dynamo at Imbibis
If you’d told Maree Hannay as a theatre-loving child that she’d one day co-own a boutique distillery, she likely would’ve laughed—and asked for a glass of Coonawarra Cabernet. With a Bachelor of Arts (Drama) and a Postgraduate Certificate in Legal Studies, Maree’s career path has been anything but conventional. Before joining Imbibis full time, she built an impressive resume working with major Australian organisations including Woolworths, CSR, CBA, BHP, and MinterEllison Lawyers.
These days, Maree is one of the creative engines behind Imbibis. From hand-numbering bottles and crafting cocktails to managing marketing, social media, events, and customer engagement, she brings energy, elegance, and a healthy dose of humour to every corner of the business. She’s also the chief glass washer, label sticker, occasional floor sweeper—and Jason’s personal chef (a role she swears involves more science than people think).
Outside the distillery, Maree is an award-winning watercolour artist. Having rediscovered her love of painting after many years, her studio has become a sanctuary for creativity, expression, and calm. Her art, much like her work at Imbibis, is grounded in storytelling, detail, and a deep appreciation for beauty.
As a former Springfield resident, Maree is proud that Imbibis is based in this historic Queensland town. With its rich heritage, charming architecture, and vibrant arts community, Ipswich provides the perfect backdrop for a distillery built on craftsmanship, creativity, and connection.
Whether she’s pouring drinks with her dear friend and cocktail collaborator Evil Jenny, chatting with visitors, or dreaming up the next big idea, Maree brings heart, humour and soul to everything she does.
Just don’t ask her to choose between gin and cabernet. Some decisions are simply impossible.
How did we come up with our name?
We love to imbibe, however that name was taken, so we had to come up with something unique to describe our ethos. Imbibis (im-bye-biss) is a Latin derivative of the word imbibe. Second-person singular present active indicative. To imbibe is to drink, absorb, assimilate, conceive an idea. We’re proud to create our products for you to enjoy with friends, good food and good conversation.
About our logo
At the Imbibis artisan distillery we use science and art to produce our unique and enjoyable products. The heart of our logo incorporates a drop, This is the drop of spirit that flows from the still. It symbolises the transformative process that takes liquid to vapour and back to liquid again. It is the heart of distillation and an emotional connection to our brand. We all work hard in our lives, so enjoy Imbibis and surrender to your senses.
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