Craft Beer. Casual Dining. Local Focus. Live Music. Beer Events. The Exchange Hotel was established in 1866 and was a hotel up until it was closed approximately 1990. In April 2013, 2 local mates decided it was time to take the building back to original use. With a passion for Craft Beer and a desire to reinvigorate Central Maitland, renovations commenced to create “The Pourhouse”. The Craft Beer industry has flourished over the past decade. The industry has benefited from changing consumers tastes, particularly the move towards premium beer and an emphasis on quality over quantity across the liquor retailing landscape. Craft beer now represents over 10 per cent of the premium beer market in this country. Consumer preferences are likely to continue to sway towards premium and craft beer, with an increasing emphasis on small, seasonal batches with a regional or local focus.