One of our great finds during a recent road trip to Canberra was Small Acres Cyder at Borenore near Orange. This small, family-owned business has won a huge number of awards for their cider, something we learned while we were there.
Surrounded by their own orchards, the tasting room is in a beautiful setting. Only knowing about commercial cider, it was interesting to discover the different types and the history behind each. As well as the usual sparkling apple cider, there was still (non-bubbly) apple cider, pear, and fortified varieties. Non-alcoholic cider in apple, pear and cherry was also available to taste.
The tasting wasn’t rushed, and our host was very helpful and informative. We decided on the Poire pear cider and purchased a carton before continuing on to Orange. The owners also operate an Air-BNB, so you can spend the night surrounded by orchards.
Only a five-minute drive from Hobart’s CBD in the foothills of Mount Wellington, the Cascade Brewery Tour is a must for lovers of beer and cider.
The Cascade Brewery
Having operated since 1824, the Brewery is Australia’s oldest, and a tour is a history lesson as well as beer making. Originally a sawmill but converted to a brewery because of the mountain water onsite, the building is still in use. The dates on the front of the building refer to the extension made in 1927 when new equipment required more height. This is still visible in the façade, where the material for the lower three floor differs from the upper levels.
In addition to tours, the brewery offers meals and a bar in the old manager’s residence, where you can relax after the tour, or just enjoy a meal or drink.
Cascade Brewery
Lounge at the Cascade Brewery
Old Beer Keg
The Cascade Brewery Tour
Several different tours are available depending on age (16 years old and over can go on the extended factory tour that we did). An all ages tour caters for everyone, but does not enter the factory, nor does it offer beer and cider samples afterwards.
A safety briefing and protective equipment (hard hat, glasses, gloves and hair net and fluoro vest) are given at the start of the tour. This not only ensures your safety, as your are touring a working brewery, but also keeps the beer making process safe from you.
Unfortunately, no photos are allowed on the tour, so the secret of Cascades beer and cider process is still safe.
The comprehensive tour follows the whole process from grain delivery to bottling, packaging and distribution. We found it all very interesting especially the brewing and malting part.
We also found out that all waste products are used either on site or as animal feed. Nice to know that beer is environmentally conscious, as well as tasting great.
There was also a look at cider production, which uses some of the apples Tasmania is famous for.
Finishing the tour is a tasting platter of four beers or ciders. As we had a platter each, we were able to taste all of the beers and ciders on offer.
Beer and Cider Tasting Platter
What Did We Think?
This was a fun tour that we really enjoyed. Seeing the whole beer making process and then tasting the product was great fun. If you are in Hobart, it’s worth doing.
