20 | T H E B A R O SSA MA G // H I S T O R Y
>> MAIN: A selection of soft drink and beer bottles originally made in the Barossa between 1906 - 1975 by Appelt's.
TOP LEFT: Horse and cart delivery, Nuriootpa c.1908. MIDDLE: A rare Appelt’s soft drink label c.1920s.
BOTTOM LEFT: A collection of crown seal bottle caps from the Appelt's soft drink range.
A taste of Summer
- Appelt’s soft drinks
In about 1858, the Angas Park Brewery
commenced brewing beer at the corner
of Fifth and Gawler Streets, Nuriootpa.
By 1868 the site had extensive buildings
including a two storey malt house, cellars,
water tanks, workmen’s cottages and
a private residence.
In 1906, the old brewery site was
purchased by Willy Appelt, who began a
successful cordial and cool drinks factory.
Within six years the popularity of his
drinks and his good service meant the
business needed to expand.
In 1911 a Barossa rail service opened.
Willy Appelt sited his new factory
opposite the busy Nuriootpa railway
station, on Railway Terrace in 1912. (Now
Barossa Motorcycles).
The business continued to prosper,
delivering high class cool drinks, cordials
and soda water to the Barossa Valley
and surrounding districts.
Around 1938 Willy Appelt’s son Walter
(Wally) started managing the business.
Wally built the company's first bottle
washing machine. Before then all bottles
were washed by hand.
WORDS LUKE ROTHE
Appelt’s appear to be one of the first
companies in SA to produce a range
of ‘sugar free’ diabetic soft drinks in
the 1940s.
Making ice was a successful part of
the business. The company also made a range of
different beers over many decades.
Tasmanian XXX Spot Beer, Lager Beer
and Barossa Bitter Beer, all sound like
enticing drinks for a hot summer’s day.
They were also labeled ‘non-intoxicating’.
An ice making plant was added to the
factory soon after the Second World
War, but within two years a new building
had to be erected to cope with the local
demand for ice. The first single machine designed to
fill, cap and label bottles was installed in
1952, replacing labour intensive manual
operations, and in 1957 the factory
doubled in size to increase future output.
In the 1940s Appelt’s were buying tons
of fresh citrus, which they processed to
make their lemon and orange flavoured
drinks, rather than using flavoured syrup.
Appelt’s Golden Orange soft drink was a
local favourite. In 1960 Appelt’s were advertising
a ‘Mobile Soft Drinks Booth’ named
‘Esmerelda’, which was made available
for picnics, parties, fetes, etc.
THE GRAIN ROOM
A place to relax where we farm it, grow it and make it.
• Homemade Gourmet pies, local produce platters, barista coffee, local craft Beer and more.
“Charming, rustic and down to earth”
Essentially it was an enclosed trailer that
had fold out canvas awnings over three
side openings for the serving of drinks.
It featured colourful graphics advertising
Appelt’s soft drinks.
In 1975 the Appelt’s factory closed
after 69 years in business. ‘The Leader’
reported that the factory was flooded
by thousands of empty Appelt’s bottles
that were returned for their cash refund
before closure.
An auction was held in June, 1975 of all
plant, bottles and vehicles. Interestingly,
‘Esmerelda’ was advertised as a ‘trailerised
soft drinks booth’. I wonder who bought
her and if she still exists.
Old stone ginger beers, ‘marble’, and
ceramic label bottles; enamel, painted and
polystyrene advertising signs; crown seal
bottle tops, and hundreds of paper labels
still survive as testament to the huge
selection of drinks and cordials
produced by Appelt’s of Nuriootpa.
THE STABLES WINE ROOM
Come and discover Pindarie’s Estate wine room housed inside the restored historic Stables.
• Estate Wine Tasting
• Cellar Door tastings • Barista Coffee
• Seasonal Lunches • Spectacular Views
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