On the 28th of September I visited the Lovedale Brewery within the Crown Resort in Lovedale, New South Wales. This brewery has been in operation since 2013, having moved from Sydney where it was known as Schwartz Brew. They operate a 15 hectolitre brewhouse with 8 x 40 hectolitre fermenters and a bottling line that is capable of 500 bottles an hour.
The beers that I sampled were:
Bondi Belgian Blonde, 7.8% abv, this is a golden colour with a malt aroma. It has a nice sweet malt palate and a crisp, clean, refreshing dry finish on a gentle bitterness.
Lovedale Lager, 4.7% abv, this is a Munich style Lager that is straw coloured and is sweet, crisp and dry on the finish.
Paddo Pale, 5.0% abv, this is a golden coloured pale ale with a sweet citrus aroma. It has a fruity flavour that flows into a mild bitter finish.
Surrey Hills Pilsner, 5.0% abv, this is a straw colour with a clean, crisp flavour with a slightly bitter finish. Very true to the style.
Sydney Session Ale, 3.5% abv, this Ale has a golden amber colour and a nice malty aroma. It has a malt flavour with hints of caramel and a gentle fruit finish.
Pittwater Bitter, 5.3% abv, this has a golden colour and a good malt flavour before a bitter finish.
I would like to thank Connor for taking the time out from brewing to show me around and explain their beers.
As well as the brewery, they run a distillery that is making whiskey. It is being aged for three years with some of that time spent in lightly toasted French oak barrels and some spent in 500 litre sherry barrels. When it is released it might be under the label of ‘ Spirit of Sydney Whiskey’, but that is yet to be finalised. Thanks go to Aaron Bunt, the distiller, for his time.
Why not come and play golf at Hunter Valley Golf Crowne Plaza and finish up at Lovedale Brewery, a terrific 19th hole.
