Duckstein Brewery at Saracen Estates

LOCATION
In the heart of the Swan Valley, 20 minutes drive from Perth city.

PROFILED BY DEGROOTS MEDIA
The Swan Valley is known as Perth’s very own wine region and located just 20 minutes drive from the city. But it’s not just wineries and local artisans you’ll discover here, there are also a handful of great boutique breweries. One of these breweries is the Duckstein, a German-style micro-brewery set among beautiful gardens surrounded by towering gumtrees. Boasting a distinct German theme complete with live music (often incorporating the accordion) on weekends, the venue is a fantastically fun spot for the whole family to enjoy. Large covered alfresco areas fill up quickly on a sunny Sunday afternoon as mum and dad enjoy a stein or two while the kids make the most of the grassed areas. The menu also caters for young and old with a children’s menu serving the likes of wiener sausage and schnitzel to those under 14.

For the big kids, the menu is every bit as German as you’d expect at a place where the waitresses dress as traditional German beer maids. For lovers of the sausage there’s a lovely grilled bratwurst served with potato salad or pan-fried potatoes and sauerkraut. Then there’s the German mixed sausage grill with kransky, chorizo (even though it hails from Spain), and nuemberger sausage served with grilled tomato, pan-fried potatoes, fried egg and sauerkraut. If the mere thought of this dish is enough to make your arteries harden, then perhaps the grilled chicken salad (Duckstein house favourite), Kassler smoked pork cutlets or the veal schnitzel topped with fresh mushroom sauce are more to your liking. Whatever you decide, I strongly recommend you throw caution to the wind and make the most of this traditional German fare. You’ll be surprised how well a bit of Kransky goes down with an icy cold Duckstein Pils!

Karen Bilsby