Cellar doors are nothing new in the wine industry. However, when it comes to beer, customers aren’t always given the opportunity to sample a brewery’s range – until now.

Gulf Brewery, a microbrewery established in Adelaide in 2004, this week opens its first cellar door in the heart of Hahndorf’s restaurant and tourist strip. A first for the Adelaide Hills town, it will offer patrons an opportunity to sample the beers at leisure. Adding to the relaxed atmosphere, the samples will be served on timber paddles, with the cost refundable against the purchase of any carton.

In a nod to local wursts, Gulf is developing a new smoked beer, which is expected to be released next year. This beer will join their flagship beers – Harvest Moon Organic, Fish Tale Pilsner and the quirkily named Cabinboy Half Wit wheat beer – in the cellar door. Kitten 9 Tails Oktoberfest and strawberry-infused Madam Rouge will also be on offer again in the new year, when tasting plates of local meats and cheeses will also be available.

Gulf Brewery is a true South Australian brewery, with the beers brewed locally by the company and not outsourced to contract brewers interstate.

Peter Fitzsimons is the man behind Gulf Brewery. He produces many kegs and bottles of the amber fluid every week by hand, without automation. Peter is an IT consultant by trade, but his passion for brewing smouldered for quite some time.

As Peter tells it, he was just following orders. “It was ’94 and my wife Julie told me to get a hobby. So I tried home brewing.” After ten years of supplying family and friends, Peter decided to go commercial. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Find out more about Gulf Brewery:

www.gulfbrewery.com.au

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