More than two years in the making, the first of Bright Brewery’s highly anticipated Barrel Series beers have rolled out of the brewhouse.

The 2019 Barrel Series collection launches with an aged Spiced Holiday Ale (11.05), perfect for kickstarting the festive season!

Bright Brewery’s Barrel Series program began under founder Scott Brandon and has been elevated to new heights by Head Brewer Reid Stratton, who started his career at barrel-ageing specialist Jolly Pumpkin Brewery in Michigan, USA.

“Spiced Holiday Ale is inspired by a warming mug of the famous Gluhwein found across Germany and Northern Europe during the festive season,” Stratton said.

“We aged a rich, malty, and sweet strong ale in Eldorado Winery shiraz barrels to impart some subtle red wine characteristics.”

The beer was then finished with a handful of classic Christmas spices, including cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, ginger, cardamom, and orange zest.

“The goal is to bring a cup of holiday cheer to the table this season,” Stratton said.

With their large-scale production facility opening in 2017, Bright Brewery’s original Brewhouse in the heart of Bright has become a showcase for the brewery’s Barrel Series program

Spiced Holiday Ale will be joined by Bright Brewery’s second 2019 Barrel Series beer – Starward Whisky-aged Barleywine (13.9% ABV) before Christmas, with more releases to follow in 2020.

Bright Brewery’s Barrel Series beers will be available from Bright Brewery, online and from selected retailers.

Every year, during the Winter Solstice, the Japanese bathe in yuzu baths. The oil and juice of the yuzu fruit is said to warm the body and relax the mind.

So when Bright Brewery head brewer Reid Stratton walked into the Brewhouse with 36kg of freshly-picked and locally-grown yuzu from Eurobin’s Mountain Yuzu, we were a little concerned…

But Stratton had other plans for the yuzu – an oddly-shaped, lemon-like citrus that originated in China but is now mostly grown in Japan. Instead of bathing in it, he packed it all into a brand new brew – Sayonara Yuzu Sour (4.3% ABV).

The result is a seductively sour ale with a zesty yuzu aroma, a tantalisingly tart citrus flavour and a dry finish, which follows on from Bright Brewery’s hugely successful Sweetart Raspberry Sour earlier this year.

While winter is in full swing in Bright Brewery’s High Country home and darks, stouts and porters are the more common tipples, Stratton said Sayonara Yuzu Sour would sit apart, in a refreshing contrast to the heavier dark beers filling our taps and fridges.

“It’s the perfect season to harvest and use our fresh local yuzu, and it’s ideal for those drinkers who are after a lighter beer this winter,” he said.

Sayonara Yuzu Sour is available on tap and in 330ml bottles from Bright Brewery and selected retailers, as well as online in our Shop.

Easter has come early at Bright Brewery, with the release our new Bunny Hop Hoppy Wheat Ale. 

Packed full of Azacca and Denali hops, Bunny Hop really lives up to its name with a huge hop punch and bold, strong flavours.

With a pleasant bitterness, and creamy mouthfeel, Bunny Hop uses crisp, clean US-05 yeast which really allows the hops to shine through, with hints and aromas of citrus and tropical mango.

A limited-edition, Brewer’s Choice beer, Bunny Hop Hoppy Wheat Ale was lovingly brewed as part of our Brewer For A Day experience in February 2019 with home-brew aficionados and Bright Brewery’s Head Brewer.

Bunny Hop Hoppy Wheat Ale was launched at North East Food and Wine Festival, Wodonga, Vic, on March 16 and is now available on tap at Bright Brewery and for selected retailers (keg-only).

To order, please contact sales@brightbrewery.com.au or to find your nearest Bright Brewery stockist, visit our Beer Locator.

She’s sweet, she’s tart, she’s a little bit fruity – introducing Bright Brewery’s latest Brewer’s Choice beer, Sweetart Raspberry Sour.

Kettle-soured with friendly Lactobacillus, the addition of  raspberry puree in kettle and in maturation has made our beautiful Sweetart into a refreshing and well-balanced raspberry sour with delectable raspberry flavour and aroma.

A limited-edition Brewer’s Choice beer, brewed especially for our Bright Mash Club members, Sweetart also features a malt bill of Pale Wheat and Acidulated malt with Azacca hops.

Sweetart was launched at the Great Australian Beer Festival Geelong on Feb 16 and received rave reviews from punters, who loved the tart flavour and pop of raspberry.

Sweetart is now available at Bright Brewery and selected pubs, bottleshops and restaurants. To find your nearest Bright Brewery stockist, visit our Beer Locator.

TREEEHop Pale Ale – brought to you by the letter E.

Brewed with Ekuanot, Enigma and Eureka hops in the heart of Bright, Victoria, this deep golden strong pale ale (6.0% ABV) is bold, gutsy and adventurous – not unlike the environment from which it comes.

The trio of hops, added through a double-dry-hop process, provide TREEEHop with an unabashedly assertive bitterness and intense tropical fruit and dark berry flavours, with subtle melon and raspberry coming to the party.

Pale, Wheat, Dark Munich and Pale Crystal malts give this American-style Pale Ale subtle notes of sweet biscuit to finish on.

A limited run, ‘Brewer’s Choice’ beer created by Bright Brewery head brewer Richard Chamberlin, TREEEHop is available exclusively at Bright Brewery and to members of Bright Brewery’s Mash Club.

For more details on Mash Club, or to join, click here.