The original Swan Brewery was a relatively small concern established in 1877 by a partnership between John Maxwell Ferguson, a Scottish sea trader and Captain, and William Mumme, a brewer with German and colonial brewing experience. Contact us today to for more information about our cafe-restaurant with contemporary decor, award winning food and spectacular al fresco dinning.
The original Swan Brewery was a relatively small concern established in 1877 by a partnership between John Maxwell Ferguson, a Scottish sea trader and brewer Captain William Mumme. The Swan Brewery Co. sold it in 1979 for redevelopment.
The venue was re-opened in October 2001, featuring apartments, offices, and the restaurant and function venue. Chef and General Manager, Greg Farnan, a Kiwi-born, avid carnivore has travelled Australia and the globe sourcing the best meat, and researching the entire ‘steak’ process, from paddock to plate.
Greg’s menu features over 20 different types of meat dishes, including the Brewery’s very own dry-aged, signature beef. Cuts include: Grass and Grain-fed Black Angus Beef from Cantabilling Springs, Jurien Bay WA); 400+ days Grain-fed Wagyu Beef Tomahawk steak 1.3 – 2.7kg!) from Joanna Plains (WA); Dorper lamb from Narrogin WA), fed on native saltbush and finished on grain for 30 days – and much, much more. You can even choose your own sauce - béarnaise, mushroom or pepper – and there are a variety of salt and condiments service available, such as various mustards, spiced organic salt and truffle salt. To go with these premium cuts of meat, Greg has compiled a list of stunning side dishes to best bring out the flavour of the meat, including: roasted bone marrow, hand-cut onion rings, macaroni cheese, creamed spinach and real1) mushy peas. And if you don’t feel like a steak there are plenty of options like seafood, pasta and salads.
Greg says The Old Brewery is extremely flexible – he can tailor a menu to suit any dinner occasion or function, including degustation menus for up to 24 guests. This, the creation of various dining areas throughout, sees the venue able to lend itself to any occasion. ‘Table 69’ is an intimate semi-private round table perfect for smaller groups of about 6 guests. ??The wine list features a great array of Western Australian, Australian and New Zealand wines, and pays tribute to the best wine growing regions from around the world, such as Chile, Argentina, Italy, France and South Africa. ??
Brewing recommenced early August 2008, and the beers are all handcrafted on-site in the microbrewery by young brewer, Mark Reilly. Mark has chosen to present to Perth four new boutique beers, offering a new approach to each classic style. The beers are draught beers are available only on tap at The Old Brewery. The ‘Riverside Reserve Lager’: a premium pilsener malt is at the core of this beer moulded on a classic Munich Helles. The ‘Angus Pale Ale’ is defined by generous hop additions and this flavoursome ale uses a blend of Australian, German, American and New Zealand varieties. True to style, the ‘Heritage Wheat Beer’ beer brings together a balance of wheat and barley typically associated with wheat beers that have origins in southern Germany. Finally, the ‘Mounts Bay Brown Ale’ features heavy malt, and this brew modelled on a Northern English-style brown ale.
Our main function area, the stunning ‘Thomas Hardwick Function Room’ pays tribute to the original Brew master. It’s the ideal venue for corporate events, seminars, presentations, cocktail functions, wedding and special events. It can accommodate up to 150 sit-down, and more than 250 for cocktail-style weddings, and features premier views of the city, with floor-to ceiling concertina doors open onto an exclusive terrace area, mere meters from the river.