Duckstein

Average. That’s the best way to describe this place.
I’ve been here a couple of times in the past few years, and frankly it isn’t something I’d go out of my way to visit.
Firstly, let’s start by talking about ordering. There’s nothing wrong with going inside to order, but why on earth is the bar seperate, and cash only.
And if you’re serving non-​alcohoic drinks, don’t charge like wounded bulls and do it on the cheap. Sorry, but charging $ 6 for a glass of an average Ginger Beer, served out of a PET bottle that costs $ 2 at a supermarket, is a complete joke in anyone’s language. You could have sourced a brewed ginger beer, and sold a product which provided better quality and value. Oh — and if you are going to insist on serving drinks from PET bottles, don’t do it in clear view of the customer, it’s embarassing — for your establishment.
And then the food — average is the best description. Firstly, the price points are way off base. It does nothing but reinforce Perth’s reputation for being overpriced, and not delivering value and quality.
On both of the meals me and my dining companion ordered, there was firstly way too many chips. The currywurst had a sauce that tasted like it came out of a catering factory then being made by the house, and tasted more like a sweet chilli sauce than anything. The sausage itself was also quite average, with nothing special going on that had a taste you’d want to rave about.
The coleslaw served with it was also uninspired. A better choice of dressing, one that actually clung to the vegetables instead of sinking to the bottom of the bowl, would have helped this considerably. And having a larger serve of the coleslaw and a smaller serve of chips would have been much better.
As for the steak sandwich, there was too much in it, on a bun that couldn’t hold it, causing everything to fall out when being consumed.
The dining area also shows the lack of care that is taken in maintaining the place. The last thing you want when trying to eat is a table that rocks. Sure, you’ve got a rustic paving surface, but you need to spend a few bucks making sure your tables are level, and don’t accidently bounce someone else’s drink off your table.
Finally, if that isn’t bad enough, then you have to contend with customers who still think it’s ok to smoke in the outdoor area of a restaurant, despite being prohibited in law; made worse by staff and security who are indifferent and do nothing to stop it.
Kind of expected considering the staff are all poorly dressed, not in a uniform, and frankly dress like they’re at home on the couch or a local Aussie bar, not a major restaurant and brewhaus.
Sure, there might be people who come here for the beer — and you might enjoy it if you do.
For those who aren’t here for the beer, then find somewhere else to have lunch in the valley. You’ll likely get better value and quality, with better drinks in a better environment.

We went there for lunch in November 2015. They brewed several of their beers on site and the ones we tried were really good. The food were good too, especial the curry sausage which really made my mouth water at the thought of it.

The food was good and the setting was pretty nice. We went as part of a larger group and ordered separately at the counter and got a little ticket and told to listen out for our order. The problem we had was either they didn’t call out the ticket number, just the table number, or the band playing was so loud that we didn’t hear them call anything out. We had booked a table from 12−1pm which was enforced fairly strictly, not much good when some only got there food at 12.40pm!
Probably wouldn’t go back but if you go just keep your ear out otherwise you might go hungry!

Not a fan of beer, but the food is quite good.

Two stars for the service. We were a party of five, four meals came out and our server said «oh you are waiting for one more burger», 10 mins later, still no final meal. When we asked, he said, yeah it will be a few minutes. 10 minutes later we found the server and asked what was going on, he said let me check. When he returned to to table he said sorry he only ordered 4 meals, but don’t worry we won’t chrge you for the 5^th meal. Are you kidding me, of course you won’t charge us for a meal you never delivered. Very unprofessional and one of our party never had lunch. Completely unacceptable. Pity as the food was good and the beer was cold!

We have been to The Duckstein too many times to number. Not once have we experienced bad staff.
The beers are great.
The food is epic. Our favourite is the sheweinshaxe. A share plate for 2 that could be a meal for a family of 4. $ 64. A pork knuckle, sauerkraut, redcabbage, potatoes and pickle veggies with a green peppercorn sauce.
The pork knuckle has crackle perfection and meat falling off the bone.
For German food in the valley, this is the best.

I love this brewery! It is your typical brewery with german cuisine. German food is my all time favorite food so I was happy with the food there! We had the tasting platter which was delicious especially the creamy mushrooms and camberbert cheese! The tasting beer paddle was amazing and I don’t like beer much so that says a lot! It is counter services so don’t expect high quality service. There is no scenic view that you would expect in Swan Valley so don’t get you hopes up. Just a basic brewery with brats and kraut!

I was excited when I arrived because it was decorated nicely in front, but yeah It’s not that exciting after a few minutes. Waiters not that welcome, decoration/​ambiance not that exciting. It is not somewhere I want to be after more than half hour drive, and it is Swan Valley… it should be beautiful.
Well, just try it, no harm there.

Wow. I can’t begin to describe how terrible the service here is. Our table ordered a sausage sandwich, the pork knuckle and some beers.
The beers were delicious and the sausage sandwich came out very promptly. The pork knuckle however still hadn’t arrived about 45 minutes later. The sausage sandwich was becoming increasingly cold. My friends told me to start but I couldn’t as they’d given me no cutlery, and it wasn’t the kind of sandwich you could just pick up and wrap your hands around. Tried but failed to get the waitress’ attention several times.
When the knuckle eventually came they kind of apologised by saying «oh the sandwich doesn’t take as long to prepare». Yep, so then hold off on preparing the quick meal so the table can actually enjoy their meals together! Or at least give me a fork. Simply ridiculous. If you’re after a drink their beers are delicious. Anything more, don’t bother.
The good: tasty food, tasty beers
The bad: you’ll wait until the end of humanity for them.