Located just outside of Port Pirie, the small town of Laura is about to get a fresh burst of tourism interest as it converts its 140-year-old church into a brewery.
The man behind the renovation, Craig Blesing, is an avid home brewer and mechanical engineer who purchased the church this past July in his first commercial venture.
Laura is a cute little town with a population just over 760 and a rest stop for those heading up to Flinders Ranges. The otherwise checkpoint along the road now has a fixture in development to bring travellers into town. The project already has its name, “Little Blessings Brewery”, a play on Craig’s surname that
Established in 1875, this limestone church will be attractive and welcoming to visitors. The refurbishment has already begun but the team are maintaining originality from the building’s beauty. Improvements include an outdoor beer garden, a microbrewery in the rear of the building and an entire tap house within its interior.
The Laura Baptist Community had its last service on the 7th of August and have since found a new home closer to the town’s centre with the Laura residents very supportive of the change.
Despite some of the orthodox members abstaining from the alcohol the brewery has been blessed by the local pastor, recognising the opportunities for tourism and revitalisation for the town.
The response has already been overwhelming with excitement brewing across the state. Blesing and his wife Catherine are clearly honourable caregivers of the church with a handful of jobs expected to be brought to the town thanks to Little Blessings with a full kitchen and multiple craft beers, IPA’s and dessert-y stouts already planned.
Expected to open early next year, you’ll be able to enjoy a full range of tasty brews in full view of historical buildings through serene stained-glass windows.
Little Blessings Brewery is located at 38 Victoria Street, Laura
Keep up to date on the project on their Facebook here.
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