News

Hop into Easter Fun! What’s on at Bright Brewery

Looking for a place to refuel and catch up with friends and family after the day’s adventure in Bright and surrounds? We’ll be open every day from Good Friday to Easter Monday (and 7 days for the school holidays), serving up lunch, dinner, and everyone’s favourites – pizzas and fries – throughout the day.

Here’s a breakdown of our Easter hours and offerings:

Good Friday

12:00pm-late

Easter Saturday
11.30am-late
11am: Easter Egg Scramble ( Details here.)

Easter Sunday
11.30am-late
3-6pm: Sunday Session with The Bad Knees.

Easter Monday
11.30am-late

Lunch: 12pm-2:30pm
Dinner: 5pm-8pm
Pizzas & Fries: 12pm-8:30pm (all day!)

Booking Update:
Our online reservations for lunch and dinner are already filled from Good Friday to Easter Monday, but we’ll have plenty of tables available for walk-in customers throughout the day and evening. So come on down, see our host, and we’ll do our best to find you a seat.

Check availability / making a booking here.

Check out our menu here.

Bright Twilight Markets – Thursday April 4 and Thursday April 11, 3-7pm

Following the fantastic turnout in January, our popular Bright Twilight Markets will return for the Easter school holidays, on Thursday April 4 and Thursday  April 11.

Enjoy a delightful autumn evening under the stars, browsing unique wares from local artisans and savouring delicious treats from a variety of food vendors. Whether you’re seeking handcrafted gifts, fresh produce, or simply a vibrant atmosphere, the Bright Twilight Markets will have something for everyone.

Stay tuned for further details on the exciting line-up of market stallholders coming soon.

Hoppy Easter!

We’re hiring: South/East Melbourne Bright Ambassador

What are we looking for?

Are you looking for a new challenge and are keen to join one of Australia’s longest running and most respected Independent Brewers?

Bright Brewery are on the hunt for a South/East Melbourne Bright Ambassador.

Who is Bright Brewery?

Bright Brewery has been established for almost 18 years in the heart of Victoria’s beautiful High Country. We are a 100% family owned independent brewery which pillars itself behind the values of “Authentic, Active and Sustainable”.

Our mission is to make the best of beer whilst living the best life possible. Our culture is our strength as we highlight the importance of healthy work life balance to ensure the best for our people.

Our beers can be found both nationally throughout Australia as well overseas. In 2023, Bright Brewery was awarded the 8th most popular brewery in Australia along with retaining its title as Number 1 Independent Lager in Victoria in the GABS Hottest 100 vote.

Our Pillars

Authentic: We pride authenticity in our actions and people. All our decisions are made with an authentic approach, and we pride our business on being positive custodians to our beautiful home and community. We incentivise our team to be them true selves and relish in supporting all aspects of living their best lives.

Active: Bright Brewery is active not only in our wider community but also industry as a whole. Our team are encouraged to work with local support programs in the North East and afar as well as industry led groups as the IBA and Pink Boots Wociety. We also acknowledge the positive power of being active through both social engagement but physical movement for the health and wellbeing of our people.

Sustainable: Since our inception in 2006, Bright Brewery has always had an eye on our planet and not just the big but also the small things we can do every day to help maintain our beautiful environment for generations to come. We are highly engaged in sustainability measures within our brewing process but also seek to deliver benefits to our staff and wider community through sustainable business decision making

So, what is the role?

A Bright Ambassador is more than just a sales rep! It’s someone who can carry the torch for our town as well as our beers.

Your duties involve the development and maintenance of both existing and new accounts in the South and Eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Working closely with our sales and marketing team you will be collectively working together to further spread and grow the name of Bright Brewery in Victoria. This role is ideal for someone passionate about people, place and of course beers!

Working Monday to Friday on a 38 hour contract with flexibility around starting and finishing time. Occasional after hours or weekend work may be required but are covered via our TOIL arrangement.

You will report directly to our National Business Development and Brand Manager.

The responsibilities

– Develop and support the wholesale of Bright Brewery beers to bottleshops, restaurants, bars and venues, and other retail and hospitality outlets across Victoria and allocated regional areas.

– Be an excellent Ambassador for our brands, values, and lifestyle

– Achieve budgeted sales targets and KPIs.

– Identify and capitalise on market opportunities to build sales and profitability

– Work under the direction of our National Sales Manager to support and grow accounts, as well as brand awareness and reputation

– Relationship management, including prioritisation of key customers and new customer development

– Providing a superior level of service to our customers

– Deliver reports to National Sales Manager as required and requested.

– Utilise Bright Brewery CRM system as designated by Sales Manager

– Travel to, and manage, further sales areas as allocated by business

– Organise in-store tastings and promotions and point of sale displays

– Identify realistic opportunities to increase sales

– Activate or host events both on and off premise, including festivals

– Manage relationships and communication with sales accounts in line with role expectations

– Always uphold a high standard of professionalism with both colleagues and customers

– Flexibility with working hours, including readiness to work after hours in a sales capacity as well as on weekend events at events, festivals, and brand activations

– Follow direction from National Sales Manager in line with duties and work responsibilities

Who are you?

We are looking for a lover of all things people, hospitality and hopefully great beer! Our business is all about the people in it so we if you are a:

· A motivated solo operator who also loves being apart of a tight-knit team. Who can communicate with the best of them and doesn’t mind a bit of a soft sales pitch.

· Ideally someone who understands what it means to be on the other side of the counter. Experience and contacts in hospitality are big bonuses.

· You have a full driver’s licence and your own full-time vehicle .

· Someone who loves connecting with people over the joy of great drinks.

· Holds a Victorian RSA

· A pre-existing career in sales is even better.

The perks of the gig!

Beyond the expected bells and whistles Bright Brewery also offers:

· Subsided memberships that encourage active lifestyles (gym/sport/yoga, etc)

· A Green Transport initiative

· Bright Brewery staff account

· Access to mental health services and support

· Encouragement and paid support to join local and industry related associations and groups

· Potential for subsidised professional development

· Occasional travel and lifestyle rewards

· A generous ‘Time Off In Lieu’ system for overtime and event work

· A genuine seat at the table helping shape the brand and future of Bright Brewery

· Continuous training and professional development

· The support to take initiative and cultivation of ideas and aspirations

· Numerous team and business social events

· Of course, access to some of the best beers a person could drink!

Wondering if you have the right stuff to apply?

We pride ourselves on hiring the person, not the resume. If you are keen to pursue a career in sales and feel like this could be the perfect job, you’re encourage to apply. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to inclusion, diversity and equality across our entire business

To Apply

Please email a current CV and cover letter addressing the skills and experience required to the National Business Development and Brand Manager: evin@brightbrewery.com.au

Picnic in the Paddock Rocks with Sunshine, Music, and Katy Steele

Bright Brewery’s Picnic in the Paddock returned for its third year on Saturday, March 16th, and it did not disappoint!

Under sunny skies with a perfect 25 degrees, over 200 attendees soaked up the good vibes in the Paddock, the grassy park next to Bright Brewery. The afternoon unfolded with a fantastic lineup of local and national artists, culminating in a performance by the ARIA-nominated Katy Steele, who brought her “Broken Tour” to Bright, the only regional Victorian town to host the tour.

From Tahlia Brain’s powerful acoustic set to the infectious energy of JC and the Tree, Chloe Jade, and the sweet pop vibes from Katy Steele Duo, the music provided the perfect soundtrack to a warm autumn’s day.

The Bright Brewery bar was a popular spot, while local producers Reed & Co Distillery and Backwoods Distilling were slinging refreshing cocktails and boutique spirits.

Whether you brought your own picnic spread or opted for fresh flavours of Tu Vietnamese or a Bright Brewery loaded hot dog, Picnic in the Paddock offered a delightful way to spend a Saturday afternoon. It was a true celebration of good vibes, community, and top-notch Aussie music.

You can catch all the fun from the day on our social media pages.

Save the date for our next music event, our mid winter craft beer festival, Darker Days, on Saturday June 15, 2024. Tickets and info coming soon.

Fred’s Volume 3 for International Women’s Day 2024

After the smash-hit success of our past 2 all-female-brewed, female-led beers for International Women’s Day, we’re at it again!
We opened the doors to the Brewhouse and let our staff – under the guidance of our brewer Madi – loose on the brew deck and this is what they came up with…
Fred’s Apricot NEIPA – named in honour of our pioneering founder Fiona “Fred” Reddaway, brewed for #IWD2024, designed by Melbourne artist Lynn Bremner and with part-proceeds going to Pink Boots Society Australia – this is one powerhouse of a beer!
Available in-stores and from the source for IWD on March 8.
Those in Bright can help us celebrate its launch with our annual Bright’s International Women’s Day Lunch.
Friday, March 8 from 12pm-2pm
Join us for a relaxed afternoon at Bright Brewery to celebrate this remarkable woman and beer, featuring:
– A beautiful, 2-course lunch menu of seasonal local produce created by Bright Brewery Head Chef Jarrod Smith and team
– Prosecco on arrival
– Live music
– A can of Fred’s Apricot NEIPA
– Door prizes

From Summit to Solitude: Bright Brewery’s Elise Triumphs in the Face of Adversity

In December, we shared the exciting news about one of our front-of-house team members, Elise Marcianti, who embarked on a transformative 300km trail running and hiking challenge through the rugged landscapes of the Australian Alps. Aptly named ‘Moving For The Mind,’ Elise’s expedition was not just a physical journey but a heartfelt endeavour to raise awareness and funds for Eating Disorders Families Australia (EDFA). 

Elise’s adventure commenced on December 7th with a formidable 50km ultramarathon, starting from the summit of Mt Kosciuszko. Over the subsequent weeks, she navigated a challenging 250km hike along the Australian Alps Walking Trail, concluding her journey in the picturesque town of Bright, Victoria on December 23. 

After a well-deserved period of rest and recovery, we caught up with Elise to hear about the trials and triumphs of her incredible journey. From the outset, Elise faced challenges that tested her physically and mentally, starting with the unfamiliar level of solitude she encountered. Overcoming her fear of sleeping alone in the bush, Elise’s first night in an alpine setting proved to be an intense introduction to the challenges that awaited her: “The very first night I got to the hut and it was pitch black and crawling with Alpine Funnel Web spiders everywhere! I had no option but to stay in the shelter. Needless to say, I didn’t get much sleep that night!” she recounted. 

Acknowledging the unexpected challenges posed by the hostile alpine weather, Elise discovered that her newfound solitude provided her with a sense of empowerment and a profound connection with nature. Despite enduring golf ball-sized hailstones and extreme temperature fluctuations, she found strength in being alone and respecting the forces of nature. Reflecting on her experience, Elise remarked, “It got hard. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but I didn’t prepare for it to be that hard – to be challenged in ways I didn’t know were possible. But that’s the beauty of the trails; they change you.” 

Looking ahead, Elise is working on a short film using the footage captured during her journey. In the meantime, she continues to share her experience through public speaking engagements, spreading the message of Moving For The Mind. Having raised $5000 thus far, Elise encourages continued support for her cause through donations at Moving For The Mind.

For those interested in contributing, donations can be made at the official fundraising page here. 

At Bright Brewery, we take pride in supporting our employees like Elise as they embrace active lifestyles and take on challenges that push them both physically and mentally. Elise’s journey exemplifies the spirit of resilience and determination, inspiring us all to reach beyond our perceived limits. 

Beer comp success caps huge 2023 for Bright

We are very excited to announce that our Alpine Lager has once again been voted as one of Australia’s favourite lagers, in the country’s biggest craft beer competition.

Alpine Lager was voted as Australia’s #4 favourite lager out of more than 1800 beers in the recent GABS Hottest 100 Craft Beer Poll for 2023.

Overall, it was named Australia’s#38 best beer across all styles, rising up the ranks by 8 spots from #46 in last year’s poll.

By the numbers:
🔹#3 independent lager in Australia
🔹#4 lager in Australia
🔹#2 independent lager in Victoria
🔹#3 lager in Victoria

More notably, Alpine Lager was one of just 22 non-pale ales to land in the top 100 this year, with the list dominated by 78 pales ales or similar ale styles.

With more than 1800 beers from 436 breweries available to vote for, there has never has there been so much choice and variety for beer lovers to choose from, so we appreciate how precious each and every one of your votes is!

So we’d like to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who voted for Alpine Lager and for believing in this beer, believing in us and for supporting a fiercely independently owned brewery.

The year that was

And as we take these great results into 2024 and beyond, we thought it was time to reflect back on what else we achieved in 2023.

The past year threw some curve balls and challenges everyone’s way. Between the increased economic pressures here in Australia to growing instability in international markets, 2023 will go down in the books as “rocky”, to say the least. Australia’s craft beer scene was no exception and it’s probably been one of the most difficult on record for brewers around the country still dealing with the aftermath of the COVID pandemic.

And there were some tough times for us here at Bright Brewery as well, however, with a rock-solid team which is constantly looking towards the future and the support of our local community and customers, we are weathering the storm and, against all odds, continuing to grow.

🔹Our wholesale business achieved record growth in 2023.

🔹Our Brewery Door visitation continued to grow.

🔹We were voted Australia’s 8th Most Popular Brewery, thanks to Beer Cartel.

🔹We were also named the #3 Craft Brewery venue in Victoria.

🔹We released 36 new beers including Australia’s first Chartreuse Barrel Aged beer in conjunction with Carwyn Cellars.

🔹Our beers are now found in 6 new international markets

🔹We brewed our first international collab with Coedo Beer Japan.

🔹We launched our first Fiona ‘Fred’ Reddaway Digital Marketing Scholarship, in partnership with Pink Boots Australia, in honour of our late founder, Fiona.

🔹We commissioned and filled our 25-tonne grain silo for the first time.

🔹We commissioned our new centrifuge, which has made great leaps in improving our beer’s quality, clarity and consistency.

🔹We switched on our massive new 171kW solar array system at Fred’s Shed, bringing our total solar capacity to 221kW.

🔹We brewed our biggest ever batch of our collaboration beer with RSPCA Victoria, DoggoBrau Tropical XPA, which went into all Dan Murphy’s stores across Victoria.

🔹We launched a new core range beer – our midstrength Any Day XPA.

🔹We held our biggest and most successful Darker Days festival in its 7 year history.

🔹We landed our first gold medal for our new flagship Pale Ale, Bright Pale Ale.

🔹Our National Development Manager Evin Craney was named the Young Gun of the Year by the Independent Brewers’ Association.

🔹Our team attended their first international sales conference

New grain silo marks big step forward in Bright’s brewing operation

It was a huge day on site here at Bright Brewery this week as new grain silo was filled for the first time!

More than a year in the planning, it took just 90 minutes to fill this 8.5m towering silo with 25 tonnes of Barrett Burston Malting’s finest Victorian-grown pale malt.

The silo represents a huge step forward in our brewing operation, as it means:

♻️ We’ll save 1000 plastic malt bags per silo fill. That’s a lot of plastic not going into our bins.

🛻 The size of the silo also means far less trucks on roads delivering our grain.

💪 And it means a lot less manual handling for our brewers, who no longer have to lift so many heavy bags of malt every day!

Our Head Brewer Lewis Kerr was instrumental in the commissioning of the new silo and was excited to see first-hand the positive impact it will have on our brewing operation, and the environment.

“It means we’ve just got way less trucks on the road getting our grain here, we’re not going to be stockpiling thousands of malt bags every month, and it’s a win for our staff who won’t have to lift the heavy bags so often – they might even need to start taking out gym memberships now,” he said.

The grain silo is 8.5m tall and holds 25 tonnes of grain.

Picnic In The Paddock – Tickets on sale now

Get ready to spread out your picnic blanket, grab a cold one, and soak up the good vibes because Picnic in the Paddock returns on Saturday March 16, 2024.

After two wildly successful events in 2022 and 2023, this beloved festival returns to the picturesque grounds of Bright Brewery. It’s all about basking in the autumn sunshine, surrounded by Bright’s rolling hills and soaking up the soothing sounds of Australia’s top up-and-coming indie artists.

The festival features a roster of artists from across the country, followed by ARIA-nominated Katy Steele headlining the stage.

The lineup includes:

  • Katy Steele Duo (of Little Birdy)
  • JC and the Tree
  • Chloe Jade
  • Tahlia Brain

Joining the Bright Brewery bar in the Paddock will be our friends & local producers Reed & Co Distillery and Backwoods Distilling.

Food will be available from Bright Brewery, as well as onsite vendors. You may BYO picnic food, however, we encourage you to support onsite vendors where possible.

Picnic in the Paddock is a fully licensed event (no BYO alcohol).

All tickets are general admission and do not include assigned seating.

Please BYO camp chairs/picnic rugs.

Picnic in the Paddock hits Bright Brewery on March 16th, 2024. Tickets are on sale now, click here for more info.

Bright Brewery Mash Club and Locals’ Club Members- keep an eye on your inbox for your exclusive discount code!

 

GABS Hottest 100 Craft Beer Poll – Get your votes in before Jan 14!


Remember that crisp, refreshing Alpine Lager you crave on a scorching summer day? The one that perfectly pairs with sizzling sausages on the barbie and sends the kids into dizzying Hill’s Hoist spins?

Yeah, that one! Our beloved Alpine Lager, year after year, has been voted Victoria’s #1 favourite indie lager (and #2 in all of Australia!), proving that sometimes, classic simplicity reigns supreme.

The GABS Hottest 100 Craft Beer Poll is open now, and pale ales are threatening to flood the countdown again. Enough is enough! Let’s raise our icy Alpine Lagers and say: #notanotherpaleale!

Here’s how you can make your voice heard:

Vote #1 Alpine Lager! Show your love for this clean, crisp lager brewed with pure Alpine water and locally-grown hops. It’s a damn good beer, and it deserves the top spot!
Spread the word! Share this post with your fellow Aussie beer lovers and encourage them to vote for Alpine Lager.
Crack open an Alpine Lager! Celebrate the beauty of simplicity, the refreshing taste of summer, and the power of a classic Aussie brew.

Remember, voting ends on January 14th. Don’t let this be another year of pale ale dominance! Stand up for the lager you love, the one that’s been there for backyard barbecues, scorching days, and good times with mates.

 Let’s throwback a lager this summer!

#notanotherpaleale

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