Wilkadene-Woolshed Brewery!
The story so far...
After purchasing a ‘Brewmaster 1000-2E Microbrewery from Australian company Integrated Brewing Solutions in July 2008, we have been busy cleaning up the old Woolshed and installing the Brewery. Along with extensive upgrades needed to the power supply and building internals, we have added nearly 30,000L of rain water storage, rather than relying on filtered mains water, thus saving precious water from the River Murray. Our brewery is also a zero waste brewery, utilising state of the art designs to use and re-use hot and cold water without the need for excessive heating. Also, with drainage troughs and a holding/settling tank, all waste water from the brewery is used on our extensive garden. All spent grain is used for livestock feed.
Located on the banks of the River Murray, WIlkadene was a famous sheep and wheat station, built and run by the Wilkinson family until being bought by the Freeman family in 1988. WIlkadene shearing shed, with its white ant resistant native pine posts, supplied paddle steamers with chaff, by way of a chute from the shed down the cliff to the river. The early settlers in this area were dependant on the paddle steamers for everything from food and household goods to their religious requirements. The movement of all paddle steamers was noted in the daily diary, often four or five would pass in a day.
We one day hope to relive some of the former glory of the paddle steamers and their role on the Murray. Soon, river traffic will be welcomed at Wilkadene’s Marina and able to stop in for a visit. We won’t have chaff or wool available, only a range of hand crafted boutique premium beers to help make the river holiday a memorable one!
Our Single Infusion Brewmaster system is a full mash brewery capable of producing 1000L per brew. We plan to make a range of hand crafted beers, utilising local themes and locations.
Our beers........
Our inaugural beer “Amazon Ale”, named after the stunning Amazon Creek, just 1 Kilometre upstream from historic Wilkadene Homestead was released in September 2009 and is now available throughout the Riverland and Adelaide
Amazon Ale is a full bodied, full flavoured Australian Style pale Ale which is extremely drinkable.
We are proud to have won 2 bronze medals for Amazon ale at the 2010 International beer awards & the 2011 Royal Adelaide Show.
In August 2011 we released out second brew 'Judas the Dark'. This dark ale is brewed with locally grown native roasted wattleseed and has a very unique flavour. Where did we come up with the name Judas the Dark? You'll have to ask, its a great story. "Judas the dark' has won Silver Medals at the 2011 International beer awards and also the 2012 Royal Adelaide show.
Summer 2012 saw the release of our third beer 'Summer Ale' which is a german style Kolsch ale. An easy drinking lightly hopped ale, perfect for our long hot Riverland summers.
Woolshed brewery also produces our own cider called 'Nuns' dry as cider. An apple cider fermented completely dry using 100% riverland apples.
We also have specialty brews available for tasting only at the brewery.
Our brewery........
Our brewery is open 7 days from 11am-5pm weekdays and 11am-4pm on weekends.
We offer sample tastings of all our brews as well as tasting paddles and schooners to purchase. Take away sales for stubbies in 6 packs or cartons are available.
Guided brewery tours are available and cost $10 per head. This includes a tour of the brewery as well as the history of Wilkadene plus 1 free schooner at the end to quench your thirst. Bookings for guided tours are essential. Phone 8595 8188.
Being a 100 year old Woolshed we currently do not have any facilities in place to offer meals. Please feel free to bring your own lunch out and enjoy on the deck with one of our ales. We have a bbq available for use. Bookings for a bbq lunch are preferred and a gold coin donation for usage.
BYO beer or softdrink is not permitted. Please contact Wilkadene regarding BYO rules for wine or other beverages.
*****Please be aware that our opening hours may sometimes change on the weekends due to weddings or functions. Feel free to contact us regarding upcoming functions and opening hours. We will always endeavour to be open for the hours advertised but being a small family operated business sometimes we may need to be closed. Over the winter months trading hours may be revised. *****
To purchase Woolshed Brewery products please send your enquiry to info@aboverenmark.com.au
Our location........
From Renmark head over the Paringa bridge. Once in Paringa turn left at the supermarket onto Murtho Road (if you are heading from Mildura way this will be right onto Murtho Road before the bridge)
Follow Murtho Road for 15km and turn left onto Wilkinson Road.
Head down Wilkinson road for 200 metres where you will see a sign for Wilkadene on the left. Our brewery is situated in the old woolshed as you drive in.
Coming by river??? We are located just after marker 376. Heading upstream from Renmark you will come to a sharp left turn, head straight ahead from here past the cliffs and you will find Wilkadene just around the bend. Feel free to moor out the front of the brewery deck. Access from the river is up a reasonably steep incline so please be careful and wear appropriate shoes. If you have someone on board who is not steady on their feet please contact Wilkadene to discuss alternative access.
***** Please note that Wilkadene has limited mobile phone reception*****
