In the Early 1970's Geoffrey Scharer, a 4th generation publican of Picton visited England for the international Brew Ex-Trade Fair, where he found the inspiration to brew German Style Beers here in Australia. Against all odds, convinced that he could make high quality, natural beers Scharer set off about perfecting his recipes and methods. In 1981 he received the recognition he deserved in the form of the first (on Premises) brewing License ever awarded in Australia. He then set about setting up the first Pub Brewery. In 1987, Scharer opened George IV Inn in Picton where we tapped his traditional style perfected brews. This huge step paved the way for many of the fantastic craft beers now brewed and enjoyed throughout Australia today. In the early 1990’s Scharer operated and lived in the Australian Hotel in The Rocks where his famed ales (Lager and Bock) were the only beers on tap. If one was to ask for a different mainstream beer, they would be told upfront ‘we don’t sell that shit here’ and moved onto the next pub down the road. Geoff was a larrikin and larger than life itself. In the early 2000’s Geoff sold the pub and brewery on one condition ‘the recipes never changed’ and to this day – they haven’t. In May 2012, Geoff the man known as ‘one of the Grandfathers of Australian Craft beer’ passed away in his sleep. A huge loss of one of the legends of the industry; his legacy will forever live on in his beers.