New owners want to reopen the site as a brewery and distillery, along with a whisky bar, alcohol sales, tasting bar and a cafe.

“Very few tower brewery buildings survive, and those that do rarely have breweries which continue to operate on site,” the plan states.

“The development respects the heritage values of the site and seeks to re-purpose the site for a brewery and associated purposes consistent with the original use of the building.”

The original tower brewery building was constructed in 1872 by George Billson.

Nathan Cowan and Felicity Cottrill took over the historic site in Beechworth last year and have released cans of natural and sparking water.

They proposed to keep and repair the existing carriage museum building, barber shop and owner’s residence, but demolish a section of the building which had been a later addition and remove existing poplar trees because of safety concerns.

Other works include rebuilding a verandah area, constructing of a new glazed entry airlock and repainting windows, doors and weatherboards in heritage selected colours of red, grey, white.

The whisky bar would be open until 8.30pm from Sunday to Thursday and 11pm on Friday and Saturday.

The owners say this will not create any noise problems because the bar would be located inside and there would be no amplified music.

As a whole, Billson’s Brewery would employ 15 staff.

“The purpose of the subject application is to revive the heritage values of the original building, business and products of the ‘Billson’s Brewery’ brand,” the plan states. “It promotes economic growth and tourism via the establishment of a new commercial and tourist business, comprising a food and drink premises.”