THE STORY
Emerging from deep within Victoria’s High Country, Infinite Barrel Works is a rare and remarkable series from one of Australia’s pioneering craft breweries—Bright Brewery.
This exclusive range celebrates the dark art of barrel ageing, where only the most exceptional beers are allowed to see the light of day. Each release is crafted in extremely limited quantities, reflecting the small-batch nature and meticulous care that defines the style.
But Infinite Barrel Works is more than just a beer series—it’s a story of collaboration, patience, and innovation.
In 2019, we partnered with our good friends at Backwoods Distilling Co., sending off a batch of our Stubborn Imperial Stout (then known as Stubborn Russian) to be distilled into whisky. That whisky was aged in barrels that, once matured, were returned to us—along with the whisky itself.
From there, a cycle began. We aged another round of imperial stout and whisky in those same barrels, creating a closed loop of flavour and character. These barrels are reused infinitely, each time deepening the complexity and soul of the beer within.
This is the essence of Infinite Barrel Works: a continuous evolution of taste, tradition, and terrain.
THE INFINITE BARREL WORKS SERIES
Release #1 – Whisky Barrel Aged Imperial Stout (16%)
The Infinite Barrel Works series started in 2019, when we sent off a batch of our Stubborn Imperial Stout (then called Stubborn Russian) to Backwoods for distillation into a whisky. That whisky was then aged in these barrels, and both the whisky and the barrels were given to us when the whisky had matured. We then aged another round of imperial stout and whisky in those barrels, and the cycle continued, creating a closed loop of barrels that are infinitely used.
Release #2 – Mead Barrel Aged Imperial Milk Stout (10.2%).
This exceptional beer is the result of a meticulous aging process in ex-Mead casks, a traditional fermented beverage made from honey. The mead’s sweetness and complexity have resulted in a full bodied, sweet Imperial Milk Stout.
Release #3 – Whiskey Barrel Aged Dark Barleywine (15.7%)
Coming soon – October 1, 2025.
Mountaincrafted with Intention, Infinite 3 is a cross section of history and originality here at Bright. A blend of our 18th anniversary barleywine and local whiskey barrel aged imperial stout, comes our first ever dark barleywine release. Continuing the tradition of Infinite, this is an extremely limited blend, packaged for those like us who are on the forever pursuit of the perfect beer.
THE ART
This beer is so special to us—and so deeply rooted in Bright—that we’ve made the can art a tribute to the landscapes and people who shape our region.
Infinite Whisky Barrel Aged Imperial Stout features a serene photo of Mount Buffalo, captured by local photographer Sam Walklate.
Infinite Barrel Works Mead Barrel Aged Imperial Milk Stout showcases Mt Feathertop glowing at sunset, thanks to Brendan Holland.
For Infinite Barrel Works Barrel Aged Dark Barelywine, the upcoming third release from our Infinite Barrel Works, the beauty of the High Country was captured through the lens of local adventurer, Ben Keys.
Ben, who lives in Freeburgh, spends much of his time exploring the rugged landscapes surrounding Mount Buffalo, Falls Creek, and Mount Feathertop. It was on one of these early morning climbs—without even a headlamp—that he snapped the photo now featured on our Barrel Aged Dark Barleywine can. The image, taken during a sunrise with a full moon, shows mist rolling across the mountain, bathed in soft yellow light. It’s a moment that feels as layered and complex as the beer itself.
Inspired by seeing Sam Walklate’s photo on the first Infinite Barrel Works release, Ben submitted his own image—and we’re thrilled he did. His photo perfectly complements the deep, rich character of this Barleywine barrel-aged stout, a style Ben personally enjoys.
This can design is more than just packaging—it’s a visual story of the High Country’s magic, told by someone who knows it intimately. We’re proud to showcase Ben’s work and celebrate the connection between craft beer and the landscapes that inspire it.
Subsequent Infinite releases will feature equally beautiful High Country landscapes and photographers keen to see their work on an Infinite can are invited to lodge an Expression of Interest to have their art featured on future beers.