News

Beers for Bushfires

It’s been a long, tough start to 2020 with severe bushfires raging across Australia including in Victoria’s North East.

The High Country region that we call home has been under direct threat with fires still burning and growing, with many communities evacuated for a period of time.

Having closed for five days from January 3-8 due to advice from emergency services, we were able to cautiously reopen on Wednesday, Jan 8. Unfortunately, we had to close again on Jan 10 due to severe fire danger and evacuations of Bright.

We were then able to reopen on Jan 11, and extended our trading hours to near normal on Jan 12.

Bright Brewery status – as at Sunday, Jan 12

We are now open from 12pm for lunch and dinner.

We will continue to monitor conditions in accordance with emergency advice and over the coming weeks.

Visitor Status

The official advice from Vic Emergency for Bright and surrounds was  downgraded from ‘Watch and Act’ to ‘Advice’ on Sunday, Jan 12, and the State of Disaster has been lifted, which means visitors are being cautiously welcomed back to town!

Many local businesses are doing their best to get their doors back open as soon as possible and Mystic MTB has reopened, but some businesses still remain closed. People with accommodation bookings should check in with their individual accommodation provider for specific advice.

It’s been a really tough week for local businesses, during what is usually the busiest time of the year for us all. So when you do return, whether it’s soon or in the future, we’d like to ask you to do the following:

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐲, 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐲, 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐲 𝐞𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲.

And the Emergency Services have some requests of their own for visitors. The fires are still burning, there is still a lot of emergency management work going on, and conditions may change at any time. So any visitors who do intend to travel are asked to please take note of the following:

– If conditions worsen, visitors will again be asked to leave the region immediately.

– The air quality is still volatile due to smoke from fires and back-burning.

– There will be increased emergency vehicles and heavy machinery on the roads, and there are still road closures in place. Please take care on the roads.

– Please do not ‘rubberneck’ around fire or traffic management sites.

– Stay within township areas; do not go bush.

– Be aware that the conditions may change at any time. Stay informed of local conditions at all times and up to date with the Vic Emergency and EPA AirWatch air quality warnings.

As always, this information is a guide only and all visitors to the region should keep up to date with the Vic Emergency site/app and make their own informed decisions.

Beers for Bushfire Relief

This crisis has had and will have huge impacts on people, businesses, towns and entire regions all over Australia for a long time to come, as well as the heroic emergency services who are battling on our behalf.

Our friends at The Crafty Pint have launched the Beers for Bushfire Relief program – a collective day of fundraisers at beer venues around Australia on January 18, as well as ongoing fundraising initiatives.

Bright Brewery will be donating $10 from every keg sold in January to the Victorian CFA and the Victorian Bushfire Appeal.

We are participating in fundraising events throughout Victoria this month, including:

* ON NOW: Our pals at Slowbeer are donating profits from their Bright Brewery and Sailors Grave Brewing Karma Kegs to CFA & the Vic Bushfire Appeal.

* ON NOW: Brewicolo Brewing Co in Ocean Grove is donating profits from its Bright Brewery Karma Keg of Sweetart Raspbery Sour Ale to the bushfire relief effort.

* ON NOW: Ingrained Culture is donating 30% of profits from all brewery tours booked in Jan (but they don’t have to be taken in Jan) – so book in a tour to visit the High Country Brewers when things settle down.

We will update as more events are locked in.

You can check out all the events and information at The Crafty Pint’s Beers for Bushfire Relief website to get involved.

There are heaps more fundraisers planned for the Beers for Bushfires national day of action on January 18, so pop that date in your diary now.

How can you help?

* #supportlocal #drinklocal #buylocal as often as you can! Ask at your local bar, pub, restaurant or bottleshop for High Country beer, head to the High Country Brewery Trail website for more info, use our Beer Locator to find your closest Bright Brewery stockist, or contact us to find a stockist near you!

* When safe to do so, take a High Country road trip and come say hi to one of these fantastic breweries! Eat, drink, be merry – and take some more beers home with you!

* Support the venues that support us! Find a local fundraising event or Karma Keg near you and head in for a drink.

* Buy online: while some breweries and businesses remain closed, many are still able to service online sales and this is a great way to show your direct support. You can find our Shop here.

* If you’re a venue owner or manager interested in supporting High Country breweries by stocking our beers, please contact our Sales Manager Tom Mullane Grant (regional Vic/NSW/elsewhere) on sales@brightbrewery.com.au or 0439 316 600 or our man in Melbourne, Evin Craney at melbourne@brightbrewery.com.au or 0406 262 724.

* Vote for your favourite brewery in the GABS Hottest 100 Craft Beer Poll (closes Jan 17) – it’s an easy, non-financial way to show your support for the industry

Bright Brewery’s 2019 Barrel Series launches with Spiced Holiday Ale

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.

Bright Brewery inducted into Vic Tourism Hall of Fame

Bright Brewery has been named the state’s best Tourism Brewery/Winery/Distillery at the Victorian Tourism Awards for the third year in a row.

The independent brewery, which was established in 2005, last week won its third consecutive Gold Award and was also inducted into the Victorian Tourism Hall of Fame.

The Awards, which were held at the Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre on November 28, 2019, recognise tourism business excellence and performance. Bright Brewery was one of just six leading tourism businesses to enter the Hall of Fame in 2019.

Bright Brewery founder Scott Brandon said he was thrilled with the Gold Award and immensely proud to have been inducted into the Victorian Tourism Hall of Fame.

“To win this award for the third year in a row is great recognition of all the hard work we’ve put into building our business and helping drive tourism to our region,” he said.

Entrants into the awards are required to write a 12,500 word submission showing their commitment to business excellence in areas including Sustainability, Marketing and Customer Service, and proving how their business contributes to the local, regional and state tourism industries. This is then confirmed through a site visit by the judges. 

Mr Brandon said Bright Brewery is a proud sponsor of dozens of local and regional events, festivals, and organisations, including the Alpine Cycling Club and the Bright Autumn Festival (plus many more) which attract visitors to the region. The Brewery is also a founding member of the High Country Brewery Trail, which drives beer tourism to Victoria’s North East.

“We believe what is good for Bright is good for Bright Brewery and vice-versa,” Mr Brandon said. “We are really proud of our contributions to the tourism industry and continue to champion our area through delicious beer, unforgettable adventures and embracing everything our region has to offer.”

With a 520-seat venue on the Great Alpine Road in the heart of Bright and a new, large-scale production facility, Bright Brewery is continuing to forge into the wholesale craft beer market, with more than 250 stockists throughout Victoria, New South Wales, and the ACT.

“Through our wholesale business, we are reaching a new demographic of customers which broadens our brand exposure and helps drive additional visitation to the region,” Mr Brandon said.

Applications open: Bright Brewery Bursary for Bright Coworking

Bright Brewery and Bright Coworking have  announced a $500 bursary to help a local community member enjoy Bright’s new community coworking space.

The Bright Brewery Bursary for Bright Coworking is open to any candidate living in the Alpine Shire who would benefit from the community facilities provided by Bright Coworking, is willing to give back to the local community, and who aligns with the Bright Brewery Values.

The Bursary can be put towards a Bright Coworking membership or casual-use fees, and is open to new and existing members.

Bright Coworking, a non-profit organisation run under the Bright and District Chamber of Commerce, opened in Ireland Street, Bright in June and provides a fully-furnished office space, with NBN, for those who need, or want, to work away from home.

Bright Coworking president Ally Wilson said Bright was a magnet for ‘tree-changers’ looking to enjoy the outdoors lifestyle while working remotely, and Bright Coworking gave people the opportunity to work in a supportive, innovative environment.

Bursary applicants must demonstrate how they, or their business/project/job, meets at least one of the Bright Brewery values of Active, Sustainable, and Authentic.

Bright Brewery Marketing Officer Laura Gray said Bright Brewery was proud to support an innovative community initiative that provided such a valuable service to locals.

“One of our key values is Sustainability and we see Bright Coworking as an important step in helping Bright retain a sustainable economy and community,” she said.

Applicants must also be able to demonstrate how they will give back to the Bright community and/or Bright Coworking through their work.

Applications for the Bursary close at 5pm on Friday, August 23, 2019 and the recipient of the Bursary will be announced at Bright Coworking’s Official Opening Night at Dumu Balcony Cafe on Thursday, August 29.

Applications can be made at: https://forms.gle/mSgWsDFzHV5r3m4p6

5Zero bike challenge: EARLY BIRD TICKETS NOW ON SALE

GREAT COURSE. GREAT CAUSE.

Ride the best of the High Country’s gravel trails and feel good doing it!
Bright Brewery’s 5Zero gravel bike challenge is back for its second year! We’ll hit the gravel on Saturday, October 26!
 

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT?

5Zero is a non-profit, totally-sustainable, zero-environmental-impact social grave bike challenge for all ages, abilities and bikes. Choose a 36km or 53km route and enjoy riding at your own pace, with your mates, around the spectacular trails of Bright and surrounds.
 

WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?

All profits from 5Zero go to the non-profit Alpine Community Plantation to help build and maintain our local bike trail network. ACP is the community-led not-for-profit body that manages recreational activities within the HVP pine plantations of the Alpine Shire, where 5Zero takes place.
After raising $1000 to help ACP with some urgent repairs to Mystic Park’s Hero Trail in 2019, we’re aiming to raise the bar even higher this year.
 

WHY SHOULD I DO IT?

Do you love riding in Bright?
Do you want to help keep the trails in tip-top shape?
Do you want to have a super fun day out, knowing you’re doing your bit for the environment and the local community?
 

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Same great format. Same great cause!
Grab your friends and sign up for the 36km or 53km course. There’s no racing, no timing, just fun social rising for a great cause!
Zero impact – no paper maps, no single-use bottles, no packaged food, no gels, no vehicles, no signage, and no footprint!
Enjoy unpackaged, chef-cooked food at aid stations throughout the course and, once you’re finished, head back to the Brewery for food, drinks, live music and a festival vibe thanks to All Terrain Cycles Bright‘s eBright eBike festival.
 

HOW DO I ENTER?

36km: $56.25 (full price $75)
53km: $75 (full price $100)
Early-bird finishes September 30.

5Zero 2018

5Zero 2018

5Zero 2018

5Zero 2018

5Zero 2018

5Zero 2018

5Zero 2018

5Zero 2018

New beer alert: Sayonara Yuzu Sour

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.

Silver and bronze medals for Bright Brewery at world’s largest annual beer competition

Bright Brewery has been awarded two medals at the 2019 Australian International Beer Awards (AIBA), taking home a medal in each of the two categories it entered.

Bright Brewery’s Alpine XPL (Extra Pale Lager) was awarded a Bronze Medal for Best International Style Lager, while the recently-rebranded Mountaincrafted Range took home a Silver Medal for Label Design.

Alpine XPL is the newest addition to Bright Brewery’s Mountaincrafted Range – six ‘best-of-breed’ core range beers which are available all-year round at both Bright Brewery and retail outlets.

Bright Brewery founder Scott Brandon said he was thrilled with the results and the feedback from the judges.

“Entering the awards gives us valuable feedback about our beers and our brand from industry experts, which helps us improve the quality,” Brandon said.

Bright Brewery marketing officer Laura Gray said the awards confirmed that the brewery was making the right moves, as it continues to push into the competitive craft beer wholesale market.

“Alpine XPL will be a mainstay of our Mountaincrafted Range from now on so it’s really encouraging to hear that the judges believe it’s a worthy addition,” she said.

“And we’re exceptionally proud of our rebranded Mountaincrafted Range, which includes bottle labels, six-pack carriers, and cartons. These vibrant new designs represent the brewery and our beautiful region perfectly and will really connect with craft beer lovers when they see our beers outside of Bright.”

The AIBA, run by the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria, is the world’s largest annual beer competition, with more than 2500 beers from 400 breweries from Australia and around the world competing this year.

To find your closest Bright Brewery stockist, check out our Beer Locator.

To shop for Bright Brewery beers, including Alpine XPL, online, visit our Shop.

To become a Bright Brewery stockist, or to discuss our range, get in touch with our Sales Manager Tom on sales@brightbrewery.com.au

New beer alert: Sweet treats for Easter

Get egg-cited – we have two new beers on tap at Bright Brewery, just in time for Easter! 

Every year, we send our brewers 10 minutes down the road to one of the world’s original, and Australia’s largest, hop gardens – HPA’s Rostrevor Hops – to explore and discover new hop varieties to use in our handcrafted beers.

This year, they came back with freshly-picked Experimental Hop 016 (so new it doesn’t even have a name!) and used it to brew our annual wet Hop Harvest Ale.

Each vintage of our Hop Harvest Ale differs from the previous year and, at 6.3% ABV, Hop Harvest Ale 2019 certainly packs a whole lotta punch with citrus and tropical fruit notes and a tasty malty backbone.

Hop Harvest Ale 2019 is now available on tap and at selected retailers; bottles will be available shortly.

And to add to the Easter treats, we’ve been down to our cellar and dusted off our 2018 English Barleywine, which has been ageing for the past 12 months.

With an impressive ABV of 14.4%, Barleywine (so called because its ABV is closer to wine than beer) has aged to perfection, allowing the rich, malty flavours to mellow into a sweet, warming brew with flavours of dried fruit and toffee – perfect for an adult sweet treat over Easter!

Barleywine is only available on tap and at selected retailers.

For wholesale enquiries, please contact Tom Mullane-Grant on 0439 316 600 or sales@brightbrewery.com.au

Darker Days burn the night banner

DARKER DAYS festival returns for 2019

Darker Days midwinter festival highlightsWinter is coming. Embrace the darkness.

Bright Brewery is thrilled to announce that DARKER DAYS 2019 will set Bright alight on Saturday, June 29, 2019.

DARKER DAYS is a festive celebration of dark beer and the Alpine winter, providing a warming, welcome respite from the mid-winter chill.

With kids’ entertainment including stories and music under the Children’s Teepee, face-painting, wooden toys, and ghost tours, DARKER DAYS is a proudly family-friendly event.

The event will kick off at midday, with live music and entertainment throughout the day and evening, culminating in the lighting of a ceremonial bonfire after dark.

As is tradition, Bright Brewery’s acclaimed Stubborn Russian Imperial Stout will be launched at DARKER DAYS, making festival-goers the first in the country to get their hands on this cult classic.Darker Days midwinter festival highlights

 

Bright Brewery Head Brewer Reid Stratton said Stubborn Russian had an incredibly loyal following and beer-lovers should be excited for the 2019 vintage.

“We’re doing things a little bit differently this year and the stout will be steeped in oak after fermentation to give it a lusciously roasted finish,” Stratton said.

The 2017, 2018 and 2019 vintages of Stubborn Russian will be pouring from Bright Brewery’s taps during DARKER DAYS, giving visitors the chance to “collect” all three beers.Darker Days midwinter festival highlights

And many of the High Country’s best breweries will be on hand to serve their best warming, wintery brews, as well as local gin, coffee, whiskey, and food producers.

Now in its third year, DARKER DAYS has already become a hugely popular event in the depths of winter, drawing visitors to Bright outside of the traditionally busy tourist seasons.

Bright Brewery Marketing Officer Laura Gray said interest in DARKER DAYS had already started to build and the brewery was planning for 2019 to be the biggest and best event yet.

“As soon as DARKER DAYS finished last year, we had people asking when it was happening in 2019. We’re thrilled that people love this event so much and we’re working very hard to ensure 2019 is better than ever.”Darker Days event bonfire

Entry to DARKER DAYS will be via donation to the Bright CFA and beer-drinkers will be able to buy a collectible, limited-edition Darker Days tasting glass from which to enjoy beers from High Country brewers.

LIVE MUSIC SCHEDULE

Harry Jamieson

Liv Cartledge

Seth Henderson

Since We Kissed

Baby & The Kicks

DJ Maverick Gold

BREWERS & DISTILLERS

Bright Brewery

Bridge Road Brewers

Blizzard Brewing

King River Brewing

Black Dog Brewery

Wrong Side Brewing

Billson’s Brewery

Malt SHed

Backwoods Distilling

Reed & Co

Alpine Cider

Billy Button Wines

 

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