Toowoomba microbrewery, restaurant planned for old Black Forest Cuckoo Clock Centre at Cabarlah

A fast-growing tourism region north of Toowoomba could be getting a new addition, after plans were lodged for a microbrewery, restaurant and shop.

LODGED: A new microbrewery, restaurant and shop, to be called the Cluck and Bull Brewhouse and Chowhouse, has been proposed inside the old Black Forest Cuckoo Clock Centre on New England Highway in Cabarlah.

A microbrewery, bar and restaurant could be the latest additions to a growing tourist region north of Toowoomba, if plans are given the green light by the council.

Applicant Damien Matthews has lodged a proposal for a new “integrated tourist and hospitality facility” inside the old Black Forest Cuckoo Clock Centre on New England Highway in Cabarlah.

According to the report by Precinct Urban Planning, the new venture would include a microbrewery, restaurant and shop with the goal of attracting tourists.

LODGED: A new microbrewery, restaurant and shop, to be called the Cluck and Bull Brewhouse and Chowhouse, has been proposed inside the old Black Forest Cuckoo Clock Centre on New England Highway in Cabarlah.

It would operate six days a week and employ more than a dozen full-time and casual staff.

“The proposed facility is to be known as the ‘Clock and Bull – Brewhouse and Chowhouse’, will be established by repurposing the existing retail and catering uses on the site to establish an integrated destination tourism and hospitality offering,” the report said.

“The combined restaurant, microbrewery and retail facility will occupy the former Black Forest Cuckoo Clock Centre which is located adjacent to the subject land’s western frontage to the New England Highway.

“The building to be adaptively reused is positioned centrally and setback from the frontage,

with direct pedestrian access available from the existing carparking area adjacent to the frontage and a new rear carparking area accessible from Evans Road.

“The proposed complex will include dining and kitchen areas associated with the restaurant, and bar and brewing areas forming part of the microbrewery component.”

LODGED: A new microbrewery, restaurant and shop, to be called the Cluck and Bull Brewhouse and Chowhouse, has been proposed inside the old Black Forest Cuckoo Clock Centre on New England Highway in Cabarlah.

If approved, it would be the latest attraction to the burgeoning High Country Hamlets tourism region, which includes communities like Highfields, Crows Nest, Hampton, Cabarlah and Pechey.

It would also join a number of boutique alcohol artisans in the region, including Monty's Brewing Co at Highfields and the Pechey Distillery Co.

The microbrewery will reportedly only cover the fermentation process and is not an “end-to-end” operation.

“The industrial element of the brewing process is undertaken off-site (in New Zealand), and accordingly emits no waste or odour,” the report said.

“The microbrewery will use the Smart Brew System which differs from more traditional breweries as there is no grain handling, malt milling, mashing or boiling on site.

“It is effectively an automated and fully enclosed fermentation management system.”