Drive-through beer and pizza bar as Prancing Pony fights to stay afloat

Prancing Pony has converted its brewery into a drive-through pizza and beer bar in a bid to keep its doors open as the coronavirus fallout hits just months after devastating bushfires.

Frank Samson and Corinna Steeb from Prancing Pong brewery at Totness, Mount Barker. Picture: AAP/Mark Brake

• Is your business adapting to stay afloat? Register your story here and we’ll help spread the word
• Heysen’s historic home to be turned into tourism precinct

It has been one of the state’s favourite brewhouses since it opened in 2012.

But now, the Hills acclaimed Prancing Pony Brewery is fighting to stay afloat.

Co-owner Corinna Steeb said the brewery had been operating with reduced income since the Cudlee Creek bushfire and was now grappling with the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic – including having to reduce its workforce of 26 employees.

“We’re trying to stay as upbeat as possible, but really we’re just taking it one day to the next,” she said.

“Our retail income is down 100 per cent and our wholesale income has been reduced by 80 per cent, which means we’ve had to release all our casual staff and one chef.”

Despite the hardship, Ms Steeb said the team has been “very understanding” and helped contribute ideas on how to continue operating

“We’ve opened a drive through beer and pizza pick up service from the brewery which complies with all social distancing requirements, and we’re providing home delivery service keeping some of our staff employed for now, but we really don’t know for how long,” she said.

“The local community has been absolutely amazing, we’ve had a great deal of support but it may not be enough.”

Chairman of the independent Brewers Association, Peter Phillip said Prancing Pony was just one example of more than 650 local, independent breweries in the country to have been impacted by COVID-19.

“Over two-thirds of these small Australian breweries are located in regional areas,” he said.

“I’ve done forecasts of the best and worst-case scenarios and even the best case is pretty devastating for the industry.

“The IBA is doing all it can to help our members keep trading for as long as possible, but

without the backing of local beer lovers supporting their local independent brewery, many of

these small businesses won’t reopen.”

Local, independent brewers across the country are asking people to seek out locally made beers over mainstream commercial beers, in an effort to keep the industry in business and

people employed.

Is your business adapting to stay strong during the coronavirus pandemic? List your business in our new free guide HERE