| The 1870s were a period of rapid growth in the Flinders Ranges, and during this time a brewery was established at Pichi Richi, the mountain pass between Port Augusta and Quorn, where the narrow-gauge railway was then under construction. Built by William Beauchamp, licensee of the Globe Hotel in Port Augusta and formerly of the Pichi Richi Inn, the Pichi Richi Brewery was formally opened on 3 July 1879. Charles Henry Gray, formerly of Beltana, was appointed brewer, with the Port Augusta Dispatch noting that his reputation alone was sufficient guarantee of the quality of the ale produced. By early 1880, Beauchamp had become licensee of the other inn at Pichi Richi, soon known as Beauchamp’s, and shortly afterward sold the brewery upon moving to Melrose. The new owner was William Taylor, proprietor of Taylor’s Hotel in Port Augusta. Taylor was well known throughout the north, having overcome financial difficulties in the mid-1860s during a severe drought while operating the Hookina Hotel, which he had built in 1862. His fortunes improved significantly after relocating to Port Augusta, where in 1877 he constructed Taylor’s Hotel (later the Exchange) on Commercial Road at a cost of £3,000. The hotel proved an immediate success, and in 1880 Taylor sold it for £11,000, a remarkable increase in value. Upon acquiring the brewery at Pichi Richi, Taylor renamed it the Willow Brewery. Charles Henry Gray soon departed, and Charles Williams, son of John Williams of Nuriootpa, became brewer and also licensee of Beauchamp’s Hotel between 1881 and 1882, when the hotel closed. By late 1881, Taylor was advertising the brewery for lease, describing it as a substantial stone building equipped with modern brewing plant and an aerated water machine. Promotional claims extolled its location, proximity to the railway, and abundant access to wood and water, promising prospective lessees the chance of a “rapid fortune.” Despite these assurances, no tenant was found and brewing continued under Taylor’s ownership. Taylor’s intention to expand brewing operations in Port Augusta may explain his willingness to lease the Pichi Richi brewery. In 1880, he purchased land in Tassie Street near the waterfront and established a bottling operation supplying ale and porter brewed at Pichi Richi. Around this time, he became involved in a court case with timber merchant Thomas Sara over defective fermenting tuns that leaked and caused significant beer losses. Taylor ultimately won damages, though brewing difficulties persisted. In January 1883, disaster struck when the Willow Brewery was destroyed by fire, believed to have been caused by sparks from a passing train on the nearby railway line. The timber upper structure ignited quickly, and the brewery was completely lost. Brewing at Pichi Richi ceased permanently. In declining health, Taylor offered his northern properties for sale in 1884 and died two years later in 1886.  Port Augusta Dispatch, 3rd December 1880 |
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 Lower left of the picture c1880 B9350 State Library SA  B16708 State Library SA
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