James and Andrew Galbraith Johnston migrated from Cambethtown Scotland in 1839, the pair settled near the Onkaparinga river in 1840 and named the area Oakbank after the area in Scotland where they lived. The Johnston's built an brewery in 1843 and operated as a sole partnership until 1886 when Andrew died. The brothers purchased Klienschmidt's Lobethal Brewery in 1873. James Johnston died in 1891 his son Andrew Dean and A.G.Johnston's son William Galbraith became the company directors.

In 1901 the company became a Limited Company operating as J & A.G. Johnston Ltd and the company owned over 20 hotels in the Adelaide hills and surrounding area's. The company ceased all brewing operations in 1914 and there hotels were supplied with beer from the South Australian Brewing Co. Ltd.

The company is still running today and manufactures Cordial and are still a family run operation. J & A.G Johnston were the first country brewery in South Australia and are the oldest family run business still operating in South Australia.

J & A G Johnston

Brewery ID : 5.313.001

Oakbank

Established : 1853

Still operating today

Brewery