Iron House Brewery: House of the Hoff!
November 18th, 2011 | 
Author: The Iron House Brewery is part of the White Sands Estate on the east coast of Tasmania. We dragged ourselves off the lounge and away from the stellar views of our Bicheno holiday house to go and investigate. We had to eat somewhere, after all. And we weren’t in the least disappointed with our effort.
A taste for some Tasmanian boutique beer at Iron House Brewery
To the Iron House Brewery… or Not?
We made a quick stop at the Bicheno Tourist Information Centre on the way, to gauge their opinion of the Iron House Brewery as a place to go. Well there are plenty of other places to choose from! But Anastasia and Tracey both gave it the thumbs up, especially for lunch-time meals. They were clearly familiar with the venue, promising great views, great meals and great tasting beer. Sold.
Very knowledgeable: Tracey & Anastasia at the Bicheno Tourist Information Centre
We drove north towards St Helens past Douglas Apsley National Park, East Coast Natureworld, Douglas River and Elephant Pass Road. Just south of Four Mile Creek, there’s a well-marked entrance into White Sands Estate, and you follow the road into the reception centre.
Entrance to the White Sands Estate from the Tasman Highway north of Bicheno
The reception building of the White Sands Estate complex housing the cafe & brewery
View of the Brew House
We were greeted warmly in the foyer by the receptionist, who pointed the way to the Brew Haus Cafe & Bar… past the brew-house where the beer is made. You can see the actual Iron House Brewery right there, through glass windows. Apparently if you time it right, you can even join a tour.
After touring a few wineries in the Coonawarra in South Australia, I couldn’t believe the whole production line was in that one room. I thought it would be much more elaborate. But I guess that’s where the term Tasmanian boutique beer or micro-brewery comes in!
The Brew House near the Brew Haus Cafe & Bar at White Sands Estate
Brew Haus Cafe & Bar
Anyway, we wandered into the Brew Haus Cafe & Bar, and instantly fell in love with the place. The room is open and light and leads out onto a balcony, which would be the perfect place to share Friday night drinks with a group of friends.
The balcony leading from the Brew Haus Cafe & Bar at White Sands Estate
We were one of several groups passing through that day. Some stayed for lunch; a few others just had drinks. But the majority of traffic had come for the beer-tasting. And when in Rome? The Iron House Brewery brochure we collected from Anastasia and Tracey back in Bicheno showed four beers, but I’m pretty sure the tasting included more than four. Maybe six?
I know for sure that one of them was a caramel and chocolate inspired number, and another dubbed The Hoff (very funny!) was 8% alcohol. Luckily we were staying for lunch, and the meals duly soaked up some of the effect. The designated driver passed on The Hoff.
Burgers and fish for lunch in the Brew Haus Cafe & Bar with a glass off The Hoff
Lunch consisted of chicken and steak burgers and a Trevalla seafood special, and was just as wonderful as the venue. We enjoyed a leisurely hour or two overlooking the coastline and the kayaking lake, one of the facilities available to in-house guests.
The views of the east coast from the Iron House Brewery
Aptly Named: White Sands Estate
Eventually we had to drag ourselves away from the Iron House Brewery! Luckily we were heading back to our gorgeous digs in Bicheno to ease the pain. We even stopped at Lagoon Beach on the way. Well, you just can’t visit the region without at least one walk along the white sands of the east coast beaches.
The white sands of the east coast beaches near Iron House Brewery
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Map: Iron House Brewery Tasmania…
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Posted in East Coast, Tasmanian Beaches, Tasmanian Food and Drink | 
Tags: Bicheno Tasmania, Maps, Produce, St Helens Tasmania, Tourism, Travel Destination, Water Sports
One Response to “Iron House Brewery: House of the Hoff!”
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There were six brews to taste of diverse styles: An Australian Lager, Czech Pilsner, English Porter, Bavarian Wheat Beer, American Pale Ale and The Hoff, an Indian Pale. My favourite was the Porter but all were good and Iron House is definitely on my shopping list next time I visit my local 9/11!