The latest brewery to reach the Hunter is the ambitious Murray's Craft Brewing Company, which has earned a reputation among beer enthusiasts for its inventive and sometimes unusual beers.

The man behind the company, Murray Howe, said the Hunter could soon become as well known for its beer as its wines.

"Newcastle's got the best home brewing scene in the country," Mr Howe said.

"There's definitely potential for [brewing] to grow in the Hunter. I'm surprised there's not another couple of craft breweries within the Hunter Valley."

Murray's has bought the Port Stephens Winery at Bobs Farm and, pending planning approval, will move its entire operation from Taylors Arm, near Nambucca Heads.

The winery will continue to operate following the brewery-winery model pioneered in California's Napa Valley and successfully adapted in the Margaret River region of Western Australia.

"The wine-beer model has proved to be quite successful," Mr Howe said.

"People have more discerning tastes and they're willing to experiment. Nowadays people are drinking less beer, but they're drinking better beer."

Murray's will add to the Hunter's growing reputation as a haven for beer lovers.

The second annual Bitter and Twisted beer festival was held on the weeked at Maitland Gaol, where local breweries Bluetongue, Steel River and Potters all tasted recent success.

Potters, at Nulkaba, has recently changed hands, and its new owner Hamish Ord is looking at taking its Hunter Beer brand into Hunter bottle shops, hotels and restaurants.

Mr Ord, who took over about four weeks ago, said the brewery would soon be producing stubbies aimed at the craft brew market.