The hotel, an institution along the Western Highway at the corner of Brewery Tap Road, opened in 1866, under publican William Honan.

However, the pub fell on harder times through the pandemic, with reports it had closed beginning to circulate.

A handwritten sign on the pub's door states "due to precautionary reasons, unfortunately we are closed until further notice", while the listed phone number is no longer connected.

The Courier sent a Facebook message to the hotel, and received an automated response.

"The Brewery Tap Hotel has seen its last days," the response states.

"We unfortunately will never open again thanks to Covid-19, Vic Roads and Ballarat City Council.

"Ballarat City Council want the building up to code, and Vic Roads will not come to the party. We have no $ (sic)."

According to the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation, the liquor licence for the premises will expire December 31, 2021.

The licensee listed is NBK Pty Ltd.

The Courier has attempted to get in touch with a representative from NBK Pty Ltd.

It's not known if the accommodation part of the business will continue.

The pub has had a colourful history - in 1935 and 1936, publican Catherine Jones was fined £1 for having had men on the premises after hours.

Before that, in 1915, it was reported the hotel was included on a list of hotels to be deprived of their licences.

The City of Ballarat has been developing a Woodmans Hill Gateway Precinct Master Plan, in which the Brewery Tap Hotel is included.

IN THE NEWS

A rezoning proposal for a nearby block on the Western Highway, from 2020, states "VicRoads has a medium to long term plan (minimum 5-15 years away) to upgrade the section to freeway status with a series of road widenings, entry/exit ramps and flyover works".

"A Public Acquisition Overlay (PAO) already applies in the area and VicRoads has purchased a number of properties in anticipation of the works.

"The upgrade will significantly change the appearance of the precinct and is a key driver for any proposed land-use changes in Woodmans Hill."

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