After nearly four years at the helm of Bright Brewery, head brewer Reid Stratton is swapping the mountains for the ocean, and making a sea-change for the sunny shores of Denmark, WA. 

Stepping on to the brew deck in his place is lead brewer Lewis Kerr. 

 Lewis, who previously brewed for Bridge Road Brewers, Moon Dog Craft Brewery and Whistler Brewing Co (Canada), joins Bright to lead its passionate team of brewers including David Stokie and Madi Bruce. 

 “Ever since I began my brewing journey, I have had a long-held aspiration of being the head brewer and part of the production team at Bright Brewery,” Lewis said.  

“I want to work for a brewery that shares the same values as I do, with regards to an active outdoor-driven lifestyle, in parallel with a focus on sustainability, both of which I have always admired Bright Brewery for.” 

 A keen mountain biker and snowboarder, Lewis is focused on helping Bright achieve its goals of carbon neutrality and continue its strong sustainability program. 

“I am extremely conscious of the sustainability challenges our industry faces and passionate about making the future of brewing greener,” he said. 

Lewis brings with him a passion for wild, sour and alternative beer styles and is excited to create brews with a uniquely High Country flavour. 

 “Blurring the lines between wine and beer is something I would like to explore more, and I have a particular interest in creating our own distinct terroir.” he said. 

“We are lucky to live in an area that is home to amazing artisan producers, and I will strive to build on the creative and positive relationships with them that benefit our brewing projects and community.” 

FAREWELL REID 

Reid, who joined the Bright team in March 2019, brought with him a wealth of experience and was inspired by the High Country landscape around him.  

Reid and his team transformed Bright’s stable of core range beers, enabling the business to grow exponentially over the past four years. And his creativity, love for fermentation, and knowledge of unusual ingredients helped elevate Bright’s limited release range of beers in market-leading trend-setters. 

Reid now joins the small but notable group of brewers who have all made their marks on Bright Brewery and gone on to create amazing beers in other parts of Australia, and the world.   

We wish Reid and his wife all the very best for their move to WA – and we thank him for everything he’s given to Bright Brewery over the years.