Hotel History

In the early days…

There has been a hotel on the Holgate site since the early days of Woodend. Built in weatherboard, the original Sydney Hotel, which then became the Commercial Hotel (image below), would have provided a welcome respite for travellers and their horses after the dangers of the Black Forest, on their way to the goldfields.

On November 1896, most of this building was destroyed by fire.

Fanny & John Keating…

After the original wooden hotel building burned down on the 11 November 1896, the Commercial Hotel was rebuilt as the substantial brick building, we know today.

Our records tell us that John and Fanny Keating were operating a butcher’s shop in Woodend in 1860, possibly even earlier. In 1897 Fanny Keating became the licensee of the Commercial Hotel - soon to become known simply as Keatings Hotel - and in 1904 she and her husband purchased its freehold.

Changing hands…

The hotel remained in the Keating family until 1946 when it was sold to T.S. Foster, although it continued to be known at Keatings Hotel until Holgate Brewhouse took over the pub in 2002. For many years it had awnings and a verandah.

Under the leadlight…

The famous Leadlight Room is still a feature of the hotel to this day, hosting many important local meetings and functions over the years such as the Shire of Newham and Woodend Council Dinner (pictured below).

The white era…

By 1986, the awnings and verandah had been removed and the building painted white. The leadlight windows were still a key feature.

A forgotten gem…

Like Fanny and John Keating before them, Natasha and Paul Holgate were new to the hotel business when they took over Keatings Hotel in 2002. At the time the pub needed… a bit of work (see images below), but also held the Victorian grandeur of its glory days - like the wood panelling, grand central staircase and the famous leadlight windows.

A new beginning…

Restoring the historical hotel and bar, and building their brewhouse within its walls has been a labour of love for the family since they took over in 2002.

A destination once more…

Since then Holgate Brewhouse (and the old Commercial/Keatings Hotel building) is once again a must-stop for travellers passing through Woodend. All their beers are brewed onsite, and it’s a popular destination for weekend visitor and locals alike.

The future is now…

In 2018 they completed work on their new state-of-the-art brewhouse, built where the old Commercial Hotel stables would once have stood. And in 2019 the adjoining Taproom & Visitor Centre opened, allowing visitors to taste, learn and enjoy not just Holgate beer but wine, cider and gin from the local region.