Photos: www.nowandthenphotography.com.au
When Never Never Distilling Co. established itself in McLaren Vale, a region with 31 kilometres of pristine coastline, it seems like a natural fit, when it leant into a pairing with South Australia’s world class oysters. It also comes as little wonder, that Never Never is bringing back one of their biggest parties of the year – the renowned OysterPalooza – which returns for three huge days, leading into World Oyster Day on August 5th.
If you’re into the freshest oysters paired with top-notch gin, this is the event for you.
OysterPalooza’s timing is spot on, during the peak season for Pacific oysters. The event spans over three days from August 2nd to 4th, inviting guests to indulge in expertly shucked Kangaroo Island Pacific Oysters and the distillery’s signature Oyster Shell Gin. It all goes down at their stunning distillery, surrounded by the picturesque scenery of McLaren Vale.
The festivities begin on Friday, August 2nd, with the ‘Boom Shuck-Alaka’ evening event, priced at $40 per person. This ticket includes a dozen Kangaroo Island oysters with a selection of cold dressings and a welcome drink from the OysterPaloozza Menu. Attendees can enjoy $2 oyster specials and Oyster Shell Gin drinks throughout the evening, along with live music from Juliet Oliver starting at 6pm.
The main event continues over the weekend, with tickets available for $50 per person for Saturday or Sunday. Each ticket includes a two-hour sitting, two drinks from a specialised menu, tastings of Oyster Shell Gin, six fresh oysters, and a ‘Shellie’—a unique taste experience where frozen Oyster Shell Gin is served in a freshly shucked oyster shell.
Sean Baxter, co-founder of Never Never, describes the ‘Shellie’ as an innovative way to enjoy their gin. “We take ice cold frozen Oyster Shell Gin and pour it into a freshly consumed oyster shell – you then down it in one! The Shelly is an incredible way to sample our briney coastal gin, one that pops with bright salted citrus character.”
But wait, there’s more! Throughout the weekend, you’ll be treated to live music from Tommy Tequila and The Beach Bums, exclusive discounts on bottles of Oyster Shell Gin, and the opportunity to order extra oysters to your heart’s content, priced at $20 for a half dozen or $35 for a full dozen. You can save even more by getting in early, with a pre-purchase option of a double dozen for $60, saving attendees $10.
For those interested in attending OysterPalooza, tickets can be purchased directly from the Never Never website. This annual celebration not only offers a feast for the senses but also provides a perfect occasion to explore the synergy between freshly shucked oysters and artisanal gin crafted by the distillery.
Important details:
- Dates: Friday, August 2nd (Boom Shuck-Alaka) and August 4th-5th (OysterPalooza)
- Location: Never Never Distilling Co., McLaren Vale
- Tickets: https://neverneverdistilling.com.au/oysterpalooza-2024
- Don’t forget: This event is super popular, so book your tickets early to avoid missing out!
