BIG changes are underway at Potters Hotel and Brewery. After replacing the on-site Hunter Brewing Co brewery this year with craft brewer, FogHorn Brewery, the Nulkaba hotel has been rebranded as The Mighty Hunter.
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Taking inspiration for the name from Melbourne-based craft beverages business Founders First (known as Mighty Craft) which acquired the hotel, the focus is on creating a "hub" for craft producers, including FogHorn Brewery, Sauce Brewing, Jetty Road Brewery, Kangaroo Island Spirits, and Slipstream.
With the rebranding comes a refurbishment of the bistro, bar and function facilities, as well as the arrival of top Hunter chef Sean Townsend.
Townsend, formerly of Muse Restaurant, Muse Kitchen and the Prince of Merewether, said the new menu offers "casual, family-friendly, fresh, local produce-driven dining".
"My approach for The Mighty is to produce clever, but uncomplicated and approachable, fare using the best local ingredients," Townsend said. It includes vegan and vegetarian options, and a lot of the dishes are gluten-free.
The menu includes grazing options such as mushroom and ricotta bruschetta; beef bresaola with parmesan and toasted Fawk Foods sourdough; chicken schnitzel with chips, 250g steak frites with fries, jus, béarnaise and mixed leaves; healthy nourish bowls; and mains such as local slow-cooked glazed lamb leg with crushed potatoes and green beans tossed in olive oil which can be shared between two or three.
"We steer toward the classic combinations," the chef said. "There's smoked ham and pea soup, which is a classic, and another is cherry-smoked Berkshire pork with roast potatoes, steamed greens and apple sauce."
The menu highlights several local producers, including Fawk Foods, which is owned by Townsend's long-time friend Frank Fawkner.
"Fawk Foods make all our damper rolls for the garlic bread, focaccia, sourdough, and our milk buns. They have a huge input with what we do as does Hunter Valley Premium Meats and Hungerford Meat Co in Branxton," Townsend said.
The Mighty Hunter on Wine Country Drive at Nulkaba is hosting a launch party and wedding open day this weekend. Saturday features tastings, brewery tours, kids activities and music. Sunday features music, petting zoo, and the wedding open day.
