After another record year of beer production and sales, Bright Brewery is proud to announce the appointment of a new Assistant Brewer to its Brewing team.

Madi Bruce has joined the team at Fred’s Shed – Bright’s production facility – in her first full-time role as a brewer.

Madi is no stranger to Bright, however, having led the brewery’s customer service team as a Front of House Supervisor for the past three years.

During that time, Madi – who has long had a passion for brewing beer – completed her brewing qualifications, and worked as a trainee in the brewhouse as well.

“To be asked to be a brewer here in Bright is so incredible,” Madi said. “The team is so small so it really focuses on that passion I have for craft beer and learning about how it’s made.

“I’ve loved working behind the bar pouring beers but my real love is producing the beer so I’m excited to be heading in that direction.”

Earlier this year, Madi championed a new initiative for the brewery – leading the development of Bright’s first all-female beer, in honour of International Women’s Day.

That beer – named Fred’s Blackberry Pale Ale in homage to Bright’s late founder Fiona Reddaway – was created by Madi, and brewed by the women of Bright Brewery, including Fiona’s mother and three daughters.

Advocating for, and encouraging, women in the brewing industry is a passion for Madi, who is an active member of the Australian chapter of the Pink Boots Society.

“The female brew day here at the brewery was so exciting and such an incredible experience for all the staff,” Madi said.

Madi joins Head Brewer Reid Stratton and Assistant Brewer David Stokie who, together, create and brew more than 35 unique beers a year.

“Madi has brought such a spark into the brewery,” Reid said. “She’s come in with all these incredible ideas and all this enthusiasm and it’s really infectious.”

Australian rock royalty and six-time ARIA winner Bob Evans will headline an all-star line-up for the return of Bright Brewery’s DARKER DAYS festival for 2022.

After the horror show of 2021, when Bright’s annual midwinter festival fell victim to COVID lockdowns just 24 hours before it began, DARKER DAYS will rise from the ashes over the weekend of June 17-19, 2022.

A celebration of all things dark and decadent – with a special focus on dark beer, live music and crackling bonfires – DARKER DAYS 2022 will be bigger, better, and darker than ever.

The frontman of legendary Australian rock outfit, Jebediah, Bob Evans will light up the stage at Darker Days with his iconic blend of acoustic folk, rock, and roots, which includes some of Australia’s most beloved songs.

Bob (the alter-ego of rocker Kevin Mitchell), will headline Darker Days’ biggest music lineup ever, supported by an eclectic lineup of Victorian musicians.

With festivities to enjoy across the weekend, Saturday’s main Festival Day on June 18 will heat up with 10 hours of live music, cold beer, hot food, local drinks & roaring fires.

Bright Brewery will be joined by Guest Brewers Banks Brewing Co (Vic), Molly Rose Brewers (Vic) and Moo Brew (Tas), alongside award-winning High Country producers, Reed & Co Distillery, Backwoods Distilling, Alpine Cider, and Billy Button Wines.

Bright Brewery Marketing Manager Laura Gray said Bright was buzzing with anticipation for Darker Days, which has not been able to run since 2019 due to COVID.

“We were so close last year – we got within 24 hours of opening and we thought we were safe, but COVID, as always, had other plans,” Gray said.

“So this one will be very, very special after everything everyone has been through, especially with Bob Evans headlining.”

Ticketholders who chose to hold on to their tickets from 2021 have been rewarded with guaranteed first access to this year’s festivities at a reduced price, with tickets for the general public on sale now until sold out.

Early Bird prices are available for those keen to lock in their plans early, and a weekend-long VIP Darker Pass is available for those who want to fully immerse themselves in the dark side!

“We are so appreciative of everyone who stuck with us through all the drama last year, and we absolutely can’t wait to welcome everyone to Bright in June,” Ms Gray said.

The weekend’s festivities include:

Friday, June 17:

• Brewer For A Day: with Bright’s Head Brewer Reid Stratton
• Darker Dinner: a dark & decadent four-course meal with matched beers

Saturday, July 17:

• Festival Day: 10+ hours of live music, headlined by Bob Evans

Sunday, July 18:

• Brewer’s Breakfast: think brekkie beers and beery cocktails
• Barker Days Fundraiser for RSPCA Vic
• Recovery Session with free live music

Some events across the weekend will be free, with others ticketed. Children can attend the main festival day at a reduced price.

Tickets are now on sale here

Winter has come. Embrace the darkness.

Bright Brewery’s infamous Stubborn Imperial Stout has landed for 2022.

A dark and decadent beer, tipping the scales at a hearty 11.5% ABV, Stubborn has layers of sweet chocolate and dark espresso.

The 2022 vintage of this iconic beer has an intense roasty aroma and a subtle smoke not seen in previous years.

And Stubborn lovers might notice something else a little different about this year’s brew.

“In light of the horrific Russian war on Ukraine, we have decided to drop the Russian name and branding from our beloved beer,” Bright’s marketing manager, Laura Gray, said.

Brewed continuously for the past 12 years, Stubborn has become a firm favourite amongst dark beer lovers around Australia.

“It’s probably our best-known beer, and a true cult favourite,” Gray said.

Gray said the iconic beer was named for its stubbornness during fermentation.

“Every single year, something strange happens during this brew,” Gray explained. “Our head brewer thinks it must be cursed!”

Stubborn Imperial Stout 2022 will be launched alongside Bright’s best-selling Affogato Stout to the general public from 5pm tonight (Fri, May 6) – both online and from Bright Brewery.

Both will be available from retail outlets across Australia from next week.

Grab yours from 5pm: https://brightbrewery.com.au/product/stubborn-imperial-stout/

Hands up who’s heading to Bright this Easter? Or who is already here?!

Town is beginning to heave, and our phones are ringing OFF THE HOOK with people hoping to book a table for the weekend.

The good news? We’re open every day from 11.30am til late.

We’ll be serving lunch from 12-3pm; dinner from 5-8pm; pizzas and fries from 3-5pm.

Check out our menu here.

The not so good news? Half our bar and kitchen staff are out on COVID leave, as a second wave is sweeping through Bright – so things are a bit tough right now. And we are not taking any more bookings this weekend.

But heaps of our tables are available for walk-in customers – all day and night! So if you don’t have a booking, just head on down anyway, see our host, and we’ll always do our best to find you a seat if we can.

And if you’re in town this weekend and have little ones with you, head down to our annual Easter Egg Scramble at 11am on Easter Saturday. Details here.

Good Friday
11.30am-late

Easter Saturday
11.30am-late
11am: Easter Egg Scramble (see above)

Easter Sunday
11.30am-late
2-5pm: Sunday Session with Chango Tree

Easter Monday
11.30am-late

Hoppy Easter!