The Adelaide Hills has become a hot spot for unique, quality micro-breweries and distilleries conveniently located close by for Newenham Residents. We’ve made a list of some of Mount Barker the Adelaide Hills’ best.
With bountiful produce, crisp air and passionate food and wine folk, the Adelaide Hills is a hotbed for breweries and distilleries. Why stop at food and wine when we can produce our own quality spirits and beers, too?
In days gone by, it was the humble country pub that lured us to wet our whistle and find a hearty bite to eat. These days, a growing collection of Adelaide Hills distilleries and breweries produce artisan delights inspired by the land. From botanical gin with a crisp tonic to a hoppy frothy pint, there’s a nip and a sip for every thirsty soul.
MICROBREWERIES
Crafting their own beer in small-batches, micro-breweries are bountiful in South Australia. The good news for us is that they’re plentiful in our beautiful Adelaide Hills. They’re all a little bit different, with diverse brewing techniques and craftsmanship, but they all produce that golden elixir we so adore.
Here are our top picks for the best brews in Mount Barker and the Adelaide Hills.
Prancing Pony
This rustic brewshed is a celebration for the senses. Customers share the same space as brewers here, so you can watch them create all your favourite brews while you take a sip. Sneak a peak of every step of the process, from mashing to fermentation – see, hear and smell it all. They offer guided beer tastings, beer appreciation tutorials and food pairings with a menu designed to complement their signature craft brews. Make sure you secure a booking before you go.
42 Mt Barker Road, Totness … visit the website prancingponybrewery.com.au
Lobethal Bierhaus
With ever-changing seasonal beers and a unique list of 12 core beers to choose from, all brewed on-site, this one is for the beer-buffs. Nestled in the charming countryside of Lobethal, the bierhaus combines a brewery, beer garden and restaurant all in one. Many of their craft brews are inspired by European and American styles, head brewer and co-owner Alistair receiving a number of awards over the years for his frothy creations.
3A Main Street, Lobethal … visit the website bierhaus.com.au
Gulf Brewery
This boutique brewery located on the delightful Hahndorf main drag offers tastings and takeaways from a well-rounded list of beer and cider. We suggest taking a mixed paddle to the small, vine-draped beer garden with friends. Cheese boards with delicious local meats and olives are also available for nibbles.
81 Main Street, Hahndorf … visit the website gulfbrewery.com.au
Uraidla Brewery
Part of the new Uraidla Republic space, the Uraidla brewery is a fresh new addition to this foodie Hill hub. A working brewery, the space is surrounded only by glass, so you can see all your favourite brews in action from the bakery-café space that surrounds it. The garden out the back of the warehouse space grows herbs and botanicals that feature in some of the craft beers. It doesn’t get more home-grown than that. Grab a pint and a pastie and settle in for the afternoon.
1198 Greenhill Rd, Uraidla … visit the website uraidlarepublic.com.au
Left Barrel Brewing
Beers with a twist… Left Barrel Brewing has recently opened its doors to their new brewery and tap room specialising in farmhouse, sour and barrel-aged beers. Family and dog-friendly, stop into their tap house to discover a range of their unique beers, open weekends only.
2E/37 Onkaparinga Valley Road, Balhannah… visit the website leftbarrel.com
Mismatch Brewing at Lot 100
Founded in 2012 by a group of beer loving mates, Mismatch are dedicated to making better-tasting, sustainable beers from high quality, natural ingredients. This craft beer company’s offerings include Session Ale, Pale Ale, and Lager. Make sure to check them out at Lot 100 during your next visit to the area.
Hills Cider Company at Lot 100
Since launching in 2010, the Hills Cider Company has become a favourite of many and it’s not hard to see why. Their ciders are made from 100% fresh Adelaide Hills grown apples and pears with no added flavours or sugars.
Smiling Samoyed Brewery
Smiling Samoyed Brewery founded by a husband and wife team after their home brewing hobby got out of control. The brewery is named after the couple’s much loved samoyed dogs who are also the establishment’s mascot. Their passion for the craft can be seen and tasted in their excellent craft beer selection including the ’12 Paws’ Pale Ale, a Dark Ale, an Australian Kolsch and an IPA. They also have a delicious food selection including a Group Feasting Menu with their most popular menu items, perfect for crowds of 6 or more.
Hansen Street, Myponga … visit the website smilingsamoyed.com.au
Meechi Brewing Co
Known for handcrafted, small batch brews, The Meechi Brews from Langhorne Creek is the first of its kind in the region. Try a tasting of their craft beer and take some home for later at The Winehouse – a tasting experience of five award-winning boutique Langhorne Creek labels.
1509 Langhorne Creek Road, Langhorne Creek… visit the website thewinehouse.com.au/meechi/
DISTILLERIES
With craft spirit production increasing throughout Australia, there’s no wonder it’s a burgeoning industry in the wine-soaked Adelaide Hills. An excellent way to use any leftover grape or fruit product, distilleries are not only creating delicious new nips, but they’re also contributing to the sustainable food and drink production industry. These craft distilleries are filtering, blending and infusing their spirits to create experimental, unique styles and flavours to reflect their region.
Take a sip from some of our top picks below…
Applewood Distillery
Rooting their ethos in the very soil of the Adelaide Hills, Brendan and Laura of Applewood are passionate about paying homage to the Indigenous custodians of the land and their inspiring native ingredients. Taste a variety of fascinating and highly palatable concoctions, from Espressocello, to Five Spice Gin and Sweet Vermouth. There are build-your-own platters available and all bookings include a tour. They also serve their wine brands Harvest and Unico Zelo on site.
24 Victoria Street, Gumeracha … visit the website applewooddistillery.com.au
Ambleside Distillers
Make your way to the scenic acreage property settled just outside Hahndorf to experience Ambleside’s three signature gins. Each gin is distilled in Australian copper, featuring home-grown botanicals that you can smell as soon as you open the bottles. Visit their newly opened tasting bar and stay for a cocktail or a gourmet platter.
Mount Barker Rd, Hahndorf … visit the website amblesidedistillers.com
78 Degrees Distillery at Lot 100
Craft distiller Sacha La Forgia is a master in his field, winning an award for the world’s best gin in 2017 with his 78 Degrees. He’s also developed whisky, rum, aperitif and vermouth. In December 2018, 78 Degrees Distillery moved into its new home, shared with Mismatch Brewing Co, The Hills Cider Company, Vinteloper & Ashton Valley Fresh. Lot 100 is home to the state of the art distillery and restaurant, with ample space to grow and utilise the land around it.
Lot 100, 68 Chambers Rd Hay Valley… visit the website 78 Degrees Distillery
Newenham residents have struck gold being close to so many fantastic microbreweries and distilleries in Mount Barker and the Adelaide Hills. Reward your palate and try these craft beauties out for yourself.
If you’d like to know more about securing your future at Newenham, see the land for sale or call our friendly Sales Team on 0429 107 497. You can also visit the beautifully restored Sales & Information Centre at 164 Flaxley Road, Mount Barker – check open hours here.
Come see for yourself why you and your family will love living at Newenham, awarded Best Residential Development in 2020.
