Monday, June 7, 2010

It takes a lot of beer to make good wine

It has taken almost two decades but the connection with beer has come full circle for one Granite Belt landmark.

Felsberg Winery, just south of Stanthorpe was originally built by former Castlemaine XXXX master brewer Otto Haag.  Otto opened it as a winery but when the business changed hands in 2008, the new owners, Peter & Karen Orr saw potential to add beer to the wine list.

Peter Orr recently flipped the top off the first few bottles, which he says are going down a treat in their Bell Tower cafe.  “It takes a lot of beer to make good wine and at Felsberg we know how important beer is to winemaking. There is nothing better at the end of a hard days harvest than to sit on an upturned bucket in the wine cellar and consume a cleansing ale. We think it is so important that we have actually produced our own beer with the help of our brewery friends at Burleigh Brewing Company. Beer (like wine) is made to be enjoyed in good company and in good times. At Felsberg we take our beer seriously and ensure it is seriously good.”