The former publican was part of a group of Mercy Bethlehem Home for the Aged residents who toured the True Brew brewery to learn about the brewing process.

It was a different side to the process for Mrs Hamilton, who, along with husband Neil, owned and operated the Botanical Gardens pub in the 1970s and early 1980s.

Mrs Hamilton said the best thing about the work had been the people and personalities.

“Every night was a fun time, there was always a wag in the room. People would come in after work and have a few beers and meet their mates. That’s something they would do week in, week out,” she said.

“They’d often end up being like your family. You laugh with them, you cry with them.”

Mercy Bethlehem staff member Peter Day said the group did a variety of activities, from watching movies to art and craft.

“Every now and then we do an outing,” he said.