Smiling Samoyed Brewery

SUCH A FAN!
We got to Myponga early-​mid arvo, and it was one of those cool days with warm sun… a lazy drive down south is a perfect way to spend a Saturday!
We arrived (though were slightly confused if we were to go into the main hall where we first saw the signage or around the back where we also saw signage) — but a quick check had us in the RIGHT direction (around the back, you would’ve gotten there regardless!) and a big old furbished shed greeted us.
Walking in, its very country, but very relaxed, with tables well placed around and a little pot belly fire slowly burning in the centre of the room… if only it was rolling a bit more, it was actually quite cool inside! Once a whole bunch of blokes walked in from out the back (Dangit, missed my chance!), I ventured to check out the back porch view and stand in the sun…
… or perhaps the ultimate goal was to relocate the gal pals outside, because there was barely a breeze but the SUN was DELICIOUS!!! IT was one of those parts of a place where a hammock or padded reclining outdoor sofas could perch, and you could wrap yourself in a heavy blanket while you drink your micro-​brewery beer or your fancy other drinks. Well we appreciated doing the drinking on the stools — —- — but I would check the stools during these lovely wintery days for any ridiculous puddles your bottom may not appreciate!
For $ 10, you can try 5 beers in a paddle, and by try, you probably get maybe 150−200ml of each one. For. Ten. BUCKS. Get two paddles if you have to.
We tried the Italian Pizza Special and the Moroccan Pizza — and they were smashing! Just the right amount of topping, flat bread, char, oils… and the view we had was breath taking! It was like being in another country, but just like being at home… and it certainly fuelled my desire to live in the country again.
Definitely am going back! Take me with you!

It’s a real shame I have to give such a lowly score to this place. These guys are a ⁵⁄₅ but for one vital ingredient.
I came here with my family on our last day of holidays.
A wonderful little brewery just off the highway, it is complemented by a lovely beer garden, café and playground. This place is seemingly everything from kid friendly to dog friendly with the little Samoyed «Hoppy» wandering around saying hello to customers (some people may be less enthused about having a dog run around when they’re trying to eat their food — however there is signage making it clear that other dogs are welcome as well, he’s such a cute dog).
Smiling Samoyed beer is fantastic and we enjoyed many bevies on this fateful afternoon, I would definitely recommend getting a six pack of the Kolsch if you have the means. At this point you’re wondering «why is the score so low? This place sounds awesome?»
Now here comes the sad part…
My party of 6 (5 adults 1 child) arrived at 1:15pm and had ordered 3 pizzas, 1 Nachos and a serve of Buffalo wings by 1:30. By 2pm we had received nothing. At 2:15, 45minutes after our order we received a plate of buffalo wings for the young lad accompanying us. At 2:45 an hour and fifteen after we first ordered we received 2 pizzas. By 3:00pm we finally mentioned to staff that our second pizza and nachos had not been received, finally after an hour and a half we received our final two items.
Yeah the food was nice — but no one can justify that kind of wait time, this was duly acknowledged by the manager who offered us a six pack of mixed beers as compensation — which was appreciated but the damage had been done.
One member of our party was completely over it and asked for the nachos to be returned.
The real kick in the guts arrived when a member of the kitchen staff came out to apologise (which we appreciated), however the apology then turned into vague accusations of insulting the poor waitress who took the nachos away. Unfortunately from the there the whole thing became really messy — members of my family were upset, unfed and insulted.
Having worked in hospitality for a considerable time, I really hate giving 1 star reviews as I know mistakes are made and some things can’t be helped, but this really was a shambles and a real shame as our experience began so promisingly.
I may return here but my parents won’t.
I know a lot of people have had an amazing time here, however I know that a considerable amount of people have been left waiting far to long for their meals.

The beers here are great and they’ve put some extra work into their cellar door recently that makes it well worth stopping by for a meal. Since I said the ‘m’ word let me first mention the food. The portions are small and they regularly run out of things if they’re a little busy. That being said, the pizzas I’ve had there have been delicious (if a little small, as mentioned).
Now to the beers: 12 paws (APA) is a real winner. I’ve been tucking into this regularly over the past couple of years and it always satisfies. That being said, the IPA has a bit more to it: more hops, maltier flavour and deeper colour. The ESB has always been the pick of the bunch for me (I avoid mentioning the Kolsch because, well, it’s a Kolsch, that’s all… nothing unusual).
…and of course, there’s hoppy, the Samoyed. There used to be three dogs (hence the brewery name and ’12 paws’ moniker) but I only ever seem to see one of them nowadays. Not sure what happened, or maybe they just take turns spending the day in the tasting area.

This is going to be my new favourite spot to visit on weekends & public holidays!
We took a drive on a recent public holiday in the search of lunch & somewhere to have a drink & relax. Smiling Samoyed certainly ticked those boxes!
If it’s a nice day, get a spot out in the beer garden overlooking the reservoir — you might even spot a kangaroo like we did.
Grab a beer tasting paddle– they are very cool and the serving sizes are generous. Otherwise, there is a good selection of beers, wines & ciders to choose from.
A must is the wood oven pizza and the wedges — DELICIOUS! The pizzas seem a bit pricey, but they are fresh, made with local ingredients and generously sized.
If you can’t get a spot outside, there is room inside. I made a point of going in to pat the gorgeous puppy, Hoppy!
We’ll be back!

Rang ahead to book a table for lunch and was warmly greeted by female staff who was very helpful. On arrival we were seated at our table but no instructions as to whether a menu would be provided at the table of how to order meals etc, it turned out to be a pub style self serve.
The pizzas we ordered came fairly quickly and we’re quite tasty as long as you don’t mind chilli jam which was on all of the pizzas. I had also ordered one of their beer tasting platters which was a great way to taste most of the locally brewed beer. I guess beer as with wine is all about personal taste but all up the local brews are quality stuff and I am sure you will find a favourite of your own.
These guys are trying hard and it is worth a visit if you need to stock up your larder with quality beer, as for service, well these guys do not seem like they have ever worked in restaurants before and things get messy when they get busy.

Honestly, you cannot go wrong with these pizzas and the craft beer. Did I mention that it’s brewed onsite?
Simon and Kate have taken the old Myponga Brewery and turned it into something that you can stay in all afternoon.
Cooper, Poppet and Mia, the Smiling Samoyeds themselves, will greet you at the front and once you walk in, I recommend starting with a tasting paddle. They’re made from old 12″ records, which is a delightful touch.
Weekends often see an accoustic act playing. So head down, have a beer (12 Paws is my favourite) and some pizza and chill for the afternoon.

The boys enjoyed their beers, while us girls loved the Hills Apple & Pomegranate Cider. We also got a vego pizza, which took a loooong time to arrive– apparently they were short-​staffed? But then the pizza chef told us that it is like this every Sunday so maybe they need to hire more staff? The pizza was nice enough, a little sparse on toppings for $ 18 in my opinion.
The view is great, ambience is great, drinks are great, and the namesake Samoyeds are gorgeous! If they sort out their staffing and maybe get a bigger pizza oven they could be onto a real winner here.

We visited this place when it was still the Myponga Brewery — a lot has changed since them. New management, additions, extra seating interior and exterior and lots of retro decorations and some local artwork — then there’s the beer and pizzas!
We ordered two pizzas, the Meaty One and the Chorizo and Chilli, suitably accompanied by crafted on the premises beer for the Doc and a glass of wine for me as I don’t like beer! Yes they do have other drinks.
The pizzas are a decent size we probably didn’t need two. Toppings are good although we didn’t think the meaty one needed the BBQ sauce, or maybe less of it. The chorizo and chilli one was nice and spicy, could have maybe a little less cheese on it. The bases were very thin and crispy, we thought they could have been yeast free but on inquiring were told they did contain yeast. Maybe a little longer to prove would have been prudent.
Look, the food here isn’t perfect by a long stretch, however the ambience and uniqueness of this place give it extra rating points.
In short, get a few of your friends together and head to SSB for a great afternoon. The often have live music on the weekends, added bonus.

One afternoon when heading on a joy ride to Normanville we passed through the charming historical town of Myponga. High on the old butter factory façade — a welcome beacon calling us within it’s walls. A fluffy, smiling Samoyed face. Even better was the encouraging word that sealed the deal, ‘brewery’!
Smiling Samoyed Brewery has been lovingly transformed from it’s former life as Myponga Brewery by husband and wife Simon Dunstone and Kate Henning. The charming rustic-​styled barn opened in November 2012, and was listed in Adelaide Now’s Top 10 Beer Gardens in December 2013.
The namesakes act as the welcoming committee, usually lounging in the front gardens.
Wrap around verandas provide a variety of seating styles for groups large & small, sun worshippers and the pink-​prone. From the back verandah there is a panoramic view of the Myponga reservoir which hosts golden sunsets, swans and the occasional kangaroo.
The brewery itself is visible from inside, through large picture windows, and it’s produce available on tap, as take away, and on some of the most unique and hand made tasting paddles I’ve had the fortune to come across.
All of the beers we tried were great.
The Dark Ale has coffee and chocolate flavours and nice light hop bitterness to clean it up.
The 12 Paws American Pale Ale has medium hop-​bitterness with nice maltiness that makes it refreshing in the sun.
The First Batch American Pale Ale had more floral notes, including banana flower.
Wood fired pizzas laden with local produce, like Alexandrina Cheese, are the specialty here.
The pizzas are a good size, with nice wood oven char on the crust but not too bubbled or charred. In true Italian style the toppings aren’t overwhelmed by cheese making this a healthier than normal option.
The woodfired pizzas are ably supported by tasting platters with the season’s & region’s finest, like Adelaide Hills avocados, metwurst, Alexandrina carraway Gouda, and salt & pepper calamari. All is fresh and flavoursome, the calamari crunchy, sweet and tender.
Before or after dining & taking in the live music & views over the reservoir, take some time to wander through the old butter factory markets. There are books, antiques, tools, home made jams and crafts, hot chilli sauces, an art gallery and local eggs.