Jerry Schwartz's new Lovedale Brewery is a winner

A few years back Sydney’s Schwartz Brewery came close to setting up in what was then Olim’s Hotel, Ainslie. Alas, the plan fell over. But now Jerry Schwartz has built the new Lovedale Brewery in the Crowne Plaza, at Lovedale – smack in the middle of Hunter Valley wine (and tourism) country.

The brewery, established in March, showed its class immediately. Head brewer Michael Capaldo’s Lovedale Lager won the trophy for best European-style lager at the recent Australian International Beer Awards.

This is impressive, as brewers from 31 countries entered 1560 beers in the competition – including a strong range of European-style lagers. These range from the blandest of bland to characterful brews like Lovedale Lager.

The brewery also makes cider – and a new distillery on site will soon add spirits to the Crowne’s offerings. Capaldo says Lovedale Lager will be offered through Schwartz’s Mercure Hotel, Ainslie.

Stone and Wood Limited Release Stone Beer
★★★★★
500ml $10

Stone beer goes even darker this year, though the alcohol falls back slightly to 6.9 per cent from 2013’s 7.2 per cent. It remains luxurious – opulent and chocolatey on the palate, cut with spicy Helga and Sylva hops. The brewers drop hot stones into the kettle to caramelise the malt.

Lovedale Brewery Lovedale Lager
★★★★½
1.89-litre growler $35

This is a delightfully bracing beer, with its clean, fresh flavour and zesty hops adding a herbal note and lingering, dry, bitter finish. It combines easy drinkability with attention-getting flavour. Although brewed in Jerry Schwartz’s Hunter Valley brewery, it will also be available on tap in his Mercure Hotel, Ainslie.