There’s been a brewery on the site of the Potters Hotel Brewery Resort for over 20 years. For many years it was called the Hunter Beer Co, and as noted in these pages before it has been very much my go to Hunter Valley brewery.
I was excited when Foghorn Brewery took over the site and rebranded the place in 2020. Shawn Sherlock is one of Australia’s best brewers and he is great mates with Keith the “Beer Guy” that has been a part the brewery furniture since 2007. Unfortunately, the expansion of Foghorn was part of a wider expansion of the Mighty Craft omnishambles, which still hasn’t quite ended. Mighty Craft accumulated beer brands and venues like it was going out of style, but has been shedding them ever since. Foghorn has retreated back to Newcastle and is back in control of its own destiny. Their website makes no mention of the Mighty Craft misadventure. And someone has bought back the brewery and the pub and has renamed the brewery The Valley Brewhouse
Throughout the whole saga, Keith and his offsider stuck it out, and he is back in charge of the brewery and all signs of Foghorn and Mighty Craft have disappeared. There’s a whole new bunch of beers to try and there’s a whole new bunch of merch.
I love the takeaway cans. It has been a long time since I’ve seen a ring pull that removes the whole lid. Much better for drinking directly out of the can if that’s your go. I am looking forward to seeing how things develop in this latest incarnation.
back of the ferry 