Brewery owners hopeful despite tourist slump

The Granite Belt Brewery is using this slow period to its advantage, sprucing up older features for future tourists.

Granite Belt Brewery family.

GRANITE Belt Brewery’s owner is making the most of the slow period to make some improvements to appeal to new customers.

Dee Davenport described a regular October in Stanthorpe as an event-filled month, with something different to do every weekend.

“We tried doing Oktoberfest but because there were too many other events on at the same time, we ended up having to give that one away because we just couldn’t compete with all the other events.

“It is normally a very event-filled month, but even those events that did continue, their numbers were down this year, I believe,” Mrs Davenport said.

It is thought the slowdown has occurred because tourists believe the town has no water.

“We want to let people know that we do have water, you can have a shower, you can flush the toilet, you can wash your hands, as long as you are preserving the water and being considerate of your usage.”

Mrs Davenport is also concerned tourists may think the brewery burnt down in the midst of the fires.

“Because we were right in the middle of the fires, I think people are thinking that our brewery has burnt down, and tourist are thinking ‘why would I want to visit somewhere that is burnt?’.

“The area is beautiful in a different way now.

“I think the black from the trees that have been burnt and the green from the growth is just amazing and something people wouldn’t see all the time.”

Although the Granite Belt Brewery is experiencing a slow period, it is hard not to remember how many customers are usually in the area at this time of year.

“The events in October usually fill our cabins on the weekend but at the moment we are finding it extremely quiet compared to other years.”

“We are probably sitting at 50 per cent occupancy on the weekends … which is very unusual, normally we would be 90-100 per cent occupancy.”

Using this time to undergo a big spring clean, the brewery is making improvements to attract a larger number of visitors in the future.

“We are working on a new website and bottling system, changing our logo, refurbishing cabins, really taking the opportunity to brighten up the place.”

“More family cabins to attract more families and making some of our cabins pet friendly to appeal to a broader market.

“Organising a Christmas party is the next thing we are really wanting to do, beer and bratwurst will be happening over the summer period and we will be starting cocktail night on Friday nights.”

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