by Kendrea Rhodes
Silver, silver, silver, silver, bronze, bronze … No, its not the Olympics, but in the beer brewing world it may as well be!
The annual Australian International Beer Awards (AIBA) were held on March 27th in Melbourne and Lobethal Brewers, Phil Jones (right) and Alistair Turnbull (far right), decided to enter with only 10 months experience of brewing at the Lobethal Bierhaus. They certainly didn’t expect the tremendous reception their new venture received!
The AIBA are the second largest beer awards in the world, and in the category of “small brewery†there were a total of 575 entries from Australia and across the world. The Lobethal Bierhaus won a Silver medal for their Red Truck Porter and 3 Silvers for their brilliant packaging.
Two Bronze medals were awarded for their Pale Ale (American style) and Hefeweizen (my personal favourite). This entrepreneurial pair are novices in the beer world, but you wouldn’t know it. They were awarded their Brewers Apprenticeships in 2006 by the American Brewers Guild and the Lobethal Bierhaus was opened in May 2007.
Beer brewing in Lobethal is not a new thing. Back in 1851, Mr. Friedrich W. Kleinschmidt ran a brewery from the same site that became the Lobethal Tweed Factory and the Onkaparinga Woollen Mills on the Lobethal Main Street. This wonderful red brick industrial site has been revived since the Mill closed, and now boasts a market, wineries, cheesemakers, bakers, artists, museums, a gallery and many specialty shops, including the Lobethal Bierhaus.
Phil and Alistair, keen historians, knew the instant they saw the warehouse at the Woollen Mill, that this was going to be the site of their new business. The Lobethal Bierhaus is not just about drinking beer, it’s an all round Adelaide Hills experience. You can watch the hand crafted beers being brewed through a magnificent glass window, warm yourself by the large open fire, and dine in the modern open kitchen restaurant.
This micro brewery offers cellar door tastings and a fabulous bottle exchange system. The large German style 2 litre bottles (Growlers) may be exchanged for refilled bottles, and I ask you, how much more can you enjoy being environmentally friendly than that?
Opening hours are Friday and Saturday 12noon-10pm, Sunday and public holidays 12noon-6pm and other times by appointment. Telephone 8389 5570 or visit www.bierhaus.com.au for more information.
