IN a location where vineyards dominate the landscape, a unique brewery is making its mark and putting beer on the map in the Barossa Valley.

That brewery is the iconic Ministry of Beer, the heart of craft brewing in Lyndoch, offering a refreshing detour for those seeking a craft beer experience in the wine country.

Their passion and dedication to crafting exceptional beers has taken shape over the years, starting from their first barrel-aged creation, to the vibrant venue in operation today.

The story of Ministry of Beer began in 2016, when passionate home-brewer Brett Reimann decided to turn his hobby into a profession. 

Starting in a shed on his hobby farm in Rosedale, Mr Reimann’s initial setup included a 200L brewhouse and 400L fermenters. His dedication to crafting exceptional barrel-aged sours set the foundation for what would become a beloved local brewery.

Mr Reimann was balancing this with his work in the construction industry, but his real dream was to start his own brewery, and in 2021 this became reality when Ministry of Beer expanded its reach by opening a taproom, in Lyndoch.

Mr Reimann said there was some risk in opening a brewery in the Barossa where there were so many wineries, however there were also some positives about this.

“The good thing about opening a brewery in the Barossa Valley and Lyndoch is that regional breweries go well, because you have lots of tourists visiting whereas it’s more of a challenge for those breweries in the city,” he said.

“Yes most of the tourism in the Barossa is because of wine, but there is also only so much wine that you can drink in a day, and some people may visit a few wineries in a day and think to themselves, I wouldn’t mind a beer after a day of drinking wine, so it does provide a point of difference.”

Ministry of Beer offers visitors a chance to sample up to 16 beers on tap, including limited releases and seasonal specialties. The taproom also serves locally produced wines, spirits, and ciders, catering to a variety of palates.

One of their most popular beers is the iconic raspberry sour, and Mr Reimann revealed the enthusiasm had taken time to grow.

“It’s ironic, when we first started the sour beers about 10 years ago we couldn’t sell them, then we tried to add a raspberry flavour to them and it took a while, but then all of a sudden it took off and it became our most popular beer,” he said. 

“I think it’s because not many in SA are doing it and people’s tastes have changed overtime, even now zero alcohol has become more popular.

“The raspberry sour is particularly popular in summer.”

Another breakthrough for Ministry of Beer came when they released the Old Timer golden sour beer, which ultimately premiered at the 2017 Adelaide Beer and BBQ Festival, and earned acclaim and a spot in the Craft Pint’s Best New SA Beers of 2017.

Since that time, Ministry of Beer has expanded and developed a diverse range of fruited sours. 

They have also created a core range for craft beer enthusiasts. With an increasing number of barrels, their commitment to quality brewing remains strong and they are solidifying their reputation in the Australian craft beer landscape.

Ministry of Beer has expanded and developed a diverse range of fruited sours. With an increasing number of barrels, their commitment to quality brewing remains strong, and they are solidifying their reputation in the Australian craft beer landscape.

Mr Reimann said he was very proud of how far he had come since starting the brewery.

“It’s pretty amazing to think that over 10 years ago I was working in construction and not really enjoying it, and so I was having to work extra hard on weekends and after hours with the home brewing while working the construction job,” he said.

“That was lots of hours and opening the brewery was definitely the biggest highlight, as I didn’t know if it was going to happen or not.

“It was always a bit risky opening a brewery where it’s so wine dominant, but we wanted to give people that point of difference and it’s paid off in spades.

“There were five breweries in the Barossa, but now it’s only three, so you need to keep having success otherwise we will be in the same boat as some of those other breweries that are no longer around.”

Mr Reimann said consistency was important and a key to their success.

“We try to have a consistent product and that has been the key of keeping our brewery alive,” he said.

“We haven’t changed too much and people like different beers, so we keep it consistent.

“In the Barossa where there are so many wineries this is so important, and is what makes us stand out in the craft beer movement.”

Mr Reimann exporting beer overseas or interstate was unnecessary, as they get enough sales from online purchases and stores.

Mr Reimann and his team are committed to quality and flavour and this is reflected in every brew that they create.

Their journey in the craft-brewing world has led to them exploring innovative techniques, all celebrated within their vibrant brewery.

Their range includes barrel-aged sours, fruited sours, and seasonal brews that showcase creativity and a commitment to quality. Notable creations like the ‘Strawberries & Cream’ sour have garnered attention from craft beer enthusiasts. 

Their commitment to fostering a sense of community is evident in their events and the welcoming environment they’ve cultivated at their taproom.

Ministry of Beer is located at 1 Lyndoch Valley Road, Lyndoch SA 5351. The taproom operates from 11am to 7pm, on Wednesday through to Sunday, and from 12 noon to 6pm on Mondays.   

Check out their website (www.ministryofbeer.com.au/) for more information.