News

We are reopening! Come and have a beer with us!

After more than 70 days in virtual isolation due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are looking forward to reopening our beautiful venue to customers on June 1, 2020.

So come and have a beer with us!

From June 1, we will be able to welcome 40 guests – 20 inside and 20 outside – to join us for a meal and a drink. We expect this to increase to 50 inside and 50 outside from June 22, as per government directives.

Bookings

Our kitchen and bar will be open for meals and drinks all day from 12pm.

We will operate five bookable sessions every day, and visitors are required to pre-book. The sessions will run at:

12pm – 1.45pm
2pm – 3.45pm
4pm – 5.45pm
6pm – 7.45pm
8pm – 9.45pm

Click here to book

All sessions will run for 1 hour and 45 minutes, after which time, guests will vacate the venue so it can be thoroughly cleaned ahead of the next session, in accordance with government regulations.

Due to government regulations, a maximum of six people may sit at each table. You are welcome to book for a larger party but you will need to split over multiple tables.

When you make your booking, please let us know whether you’d prefer to sit inside or outside. But please also note that, while we will do our absolute best to accommodate, weather and government regulations may mean we are unable to accommodate all requests. If seating requests exceed capacity in a dining space, requests will be accommodated on a first-booked, first-seated basis.

Please also note that, due to government regulations, all customers dining with us are required to be having a meal, and must provide their name and phone number.

Booked tables will be held for 15 minutes past the booked time. If you are unable to make your booked time, please let us know in advance, so we can offer the table to someone on our waitlist. After being closed for so long, we’re keen for as many people as possible to have the chance to enjoy a Bright Brewery experience.

Walk-in customers

We are happy to accommodate walk-in customers – if we are not already at capacity within the venue. All walk-in customers will be required to vacate at the end of the session, and to provide their name, address, email, and phone number, as per government regulations. However, we encourage anyone planning to visit us to book in advance.

Take-away meals & beer

We will continue to offer takeaway meals and beer from 12pm every day. All menu items will be available to takeaway, and customers can order at the bar, or by calling 03 5755 1301.

Click here to book now – sessions are filling fast!

COVID-19 UPDATE

SUPPORT LOCAL // Our Bright Brewery Door is now closed until further notice, as we support the global effort to limit the spread of COVID-19.

This is our second extended closure this year which, a week ago seemed unfathomable, but now seems absolutely vital.

We have been here in beautiful for Bright for more than 15 years. We will survive this, and we will reopen – hopefully soon, and hopefully to a brighter, healthier new world.

But until then, we will not dwell on what we can’t do, and will instead focus on what we can do. We have so much to be grateful for, and so many exciting things happening…

𝐖𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐘 𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐑 & 𝐁𝐄𝐄𝐑𝐒
With a local workforce, already deeply affected by the 2020 bushfire crisis, we are committed to providing work for our staff however we can.

We also want to continue to support our many local producers, rather than cut them off.

So 𝐰𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟓-𝟖𝐩𝐦 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 (from tonight!) for Takeaway Beer & Dinner.
Choose from the following menu options:

𝐏𝐢𝐳𝐳𝐚𝐬 (all 12-inch; add vegan cheese for $3)
Garlic $17
Margherita $20
Gourmet Garden (Vegetarian) $24
BBQ Lamb Sausage $24
Firecracker Chorizo $24

𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐬
Brewhouse Beef Burger (no chips) $20
Hop Terrace Veggie Burger (no chips) $22

𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬
Mountain Harvest fries with smoked malt salt $10

𝐁𝐞𝐞𝐫
All our packaged beer – cans, bottles, 4/6-packs, and cases – are available to take away!

𝐇𝐎𝐖 𝐓𝐎 𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐄𝐑
𝐈𝐧 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧
Drop in and see us and place your order. Then take a quick walk in the fresh air, by the beautiful Ovens River, while we prepare it for you.

𝐁𝐲 𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞
We will be taking phone orders from 5pm-7.30pm. You can order by calling 𝟎𝟑 𝟓𝟕𝟓𝟓 𝟏𝟑𝟎𝟏.
Please note, our phone will only be manned during this time so please call only during these hours.

𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐁𝐄𝐄𝐑
We have worked hard to create a sustainable business, which means – even during these times of crisis, and even when our venue is closed – we can brew and sell our beer for you to enjoy.

Our online Store is running as normal – all our core range Mountaincrafted beers and small-batch/limited-release Backcountry Range and Barrel Series beers are available online with a delivery option to suit you!

www.brightbrewery.com.au/shop

𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞-𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲
We are stoked to be able to offer FREE BEER DELIVERY to anyone living in Bright, Porepunkah, Buckland Valley, and Wandiligong.
When you order online and input your address, you’ll be able to select this option.
Orders made before 4pm will be delivered the same night by our friendly staff.

𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐮𝐩
Anyone living in Bright and surrounds, or passing through, is welcome to order online and pick up at our Brewery door from 5-8pm. No charge!

𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 $𝟏𝟎𝟎
All online orders of $100 or more will be shipped for free (excluding WA & NT)!

𝐁𝐮𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩
Bottle shops have been considered an ‘essential service’ and will remain open. Which means you can still buy your favourite Bright Brewery, and other High Country Brewery Trail, beers wherever you live! Head instore and ask for us.
DM us for your closest stockist.
Even better, DM us and let us know which of your local bottleshops should be stocking our beer and we’ll get in touch with them.

We really are very grateful that we can operate in some capacity during this time. We recognise that some other businesses are not so lucky. Please Support Local as much as you can as we navigate this strange new world together.

Darker Days midwinter festival highlights

Darker Days 2020 date postponed

POSTPONED DUE TO COVID-19

Winter is coming. Embrace the darkness.

Bright Brewery is thrilled to announce that DARKER DAYS 2020 will set Bright alight on Saturday, June 27, 2020.

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

Festival-goers will gather around crackling campfires, enjoying live music and warming, wintery brews from the High Country’s best breweries, as well as local gin, whiskey, wine, and food. And with free entry, kids’ activities and face-painting, DARKER DAYS is a proudly family-friendly event.

Bright Brewery Marketing and Events Officer Laura Gray said more than 1500 festival-goers are expected to descend on Bright for the weekend, providing a welcome boost to local businesses and tourism operators after a horror start to 2020.

During the Alpine region’s bushfire crisis earlier this year, most local businesses lost a huge percentage of their revenue when Bright, and its 20,000 visitors, were evacuated in early January.

“Bright and the surrounding towns is an absolute tourist Mecca in summer, so the fires had a devastating financial impact on our community,” Ms Gray said.

“But Bright is spectacular all year round and, here at Bright Brewery, we actively encourage people to visit Bright throughout the rest of the year.

“Now in its fourth year, DARKER DAYS is a highlight of the region’s winter events calendar and, this year, it’s more important than ever to the local community that it’s a huge success.

“We had torrential rain and gale force winds last year so we’re hoping Mother Nature is a little bit kinder to us this year but, at the end of the day, it’s a midwinter festival, so we’d love people to come and join us, no matter the weather – just bring your gumboots!”

Joining Bright Brewery at DARKER DAYS will be High Country Brewery Trail bushfire-affected breweries including King River Brewing from Whitfield, and Blizzard Brewing Company from Dinner Plain, both of whom, along with Bright Brewery, had to close their doors and evacuate during the height of the bushfire crisis.

Entry to DARKER DAYS is free but volunteers will be collecting donations for the Bright CFA, which was instrumental in helping protect Bright from the fires.

And, 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.

The full line-up of breweries, live music and other local producers will be announced over the coming weeks.

Event info here.

Bright Brewery joins 200 breweries in launching Resilience Beer for bushfire relief

This week, Bright Brewery has joined more than 200 breweries around the world (not just Australia) to launch Resilience Pale Ale – a global collaborative brew to raise funds for bushfire-affected communities, causes and breweries.
Resilience Beer is a project that arose in the wake of the Australian bushfires in during late 2019 and early 2020. It came from a desire in the local beer industry to find ways to support those impacted by and fighting the fires both now and in the future.
More than 200 breweries came on board and pledged to donate the proceeds, expected to top $850,000, to various relief efforts.
Resilience is a 5% Pale Ale designed to appeal to the entire spectrum of beer lovers – even those who aren’t usually craft beer drinkers.
The Resilience name was first used in this manner by Sierra Nevada in the wake of the Camp Fire in California in late 2018. More than 1,400 US brewers brewed their version of the Resilience IPA, raising millions.
Here in Bright, we were forced to close for six days in January (our busiest time of year) when our beloved town came under direct threat and we, and the 15,000 tourists in town, were evacuated twice within a week.
“Thankfully, due to the incredible effort of our local emergency services and Mother Nature, our town was spared and, while we’re forever grateful for that, the severe economic damage to our town and region was already done and impacts continue to be felt,” marketing officer Laura Gray said. “But the love and support we received during this time has been incredibly heartening, and Resilience is just another example of that.”
Bushfire-affected breweries have been encouraged to use the proceeds from Resilience to help their businesses get back on their feet during this rough start to 2020.
So far in 2020, Bright Brewery has already raised more than $3400 for our local emergency services, including Bright CFA, Bright SES, Porepunkah CFA and Harrietville CFA.

Resilience Pale Ale will launch at Bright Brewery this Wednesday, February 26 for Local’s Night, with food and drink specials, and an extra 10% off for Local’s Card holders.
A limited supply of kegs are now available to our wholesale customers in Victoria’s North East. Please contact sales@brightbrewery.com.au for more information

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.

High Country Brewers Tap Takeover: Otter’s Promise
1219 High St, Armadale, Vic
Jan 18, 2020 from 12-11pm
Featuring Bright Brewery, King River Brewery and Blizzard Brewing
More info
High Country Brewers Showcase: The Terminus Hotel
492 Queens Pde, Fitzroy North
Jan 25, 2020 from 12-11pm
Featuring Bright Brewery, Blizzard Brewing Company, King River Brewing, Mitta Mitta Brewing Co, Billson’s 1865 and Bridge Road Brewers
More info

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.