News

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 festival returns for 2019

Winter 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

Bright Brewery welcomes new Head Brewer Reid Stratton

Bright Brewery is thrilled to announce the arrival of our new Head Brewer Reid Stratton.

Reid officially stepped into the Brewhouse on March 21, 2019, to join assistant brewer David Stokie.

Reid joins us from New England Brewing Co, NSW, where he has been Head Brewer since 2014. With prior experience brewing at Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales in Michigan, USA, and Grand Teton in Idaho, USA, Reid brings a wealth of craft brewing experience with him.

“I really enjoy the transformative process of fermentation,” Reid, a former baker, says. “It’s about taking those raw materials that, on their own, aren’t very exciting and turning them into something beautiful and nuanced.

“I love the craft, the science, and the art that goes into that.”

A recreational cyclist and skier, Reid says he is planning to take full advantage of Bright’s High Country location and its proximity to natural attractions like Mystic MTB Park and the Alpine skifields.

“The natural beauty of the area and the outdoor activities on offer are amazing,” he says. “And I am also really impressed by the culture of Bright Brewery and I really identify with the values of being Active, Sustainable and Authentic in what we do.

“If I had to sum up my own values in what I’d want in a workplace, that is it.”

Bright Brewery Founder Scott Brandon said Reid’s local and international brewing background provides Bright Brewery with valuable expertise as we continue to expand our beer production to meet a growing national demand.

“Reid’s passion for brewing and experience at the genesis of the craft brewing movement in the USA is a huge asset for us,” Scott says. “And his experience in brewing very specialised beers such as sour, wild, and barrel-aged beers is particularly inspiring. Having him on board to help take Bright Brewery’s beers into the future is really exciting.”

New Beer Alert: Bunny Hop Wheat Ale

Easter has come early at Bright Brewery, with the release our new Bunny Hop Hoppy Wheat Ale.

Packed full of Azacca and Denali hops, Bunny Hop really lives up to its name with a huge hop punch and bold, strong flavours.

With a pleasant bitterness, and creamy mouthfeel, Bunny Hop uses crisp, clean US-05 yeast which really allows the hops to shine through, with hints and aromas of citrus and tropical mango.

A limited-edition, Brewer’s Choice beer, Bunny Hop Hoppy Wheat Ale was lovingly brewed as part of our Brewer For A Day experience in February 2019 with home-brew aficionados and Bright Brewery’s Head Brewer.

Bunny Hop Hoppy Wheat Ale was launched at North East Food and Wine Festival, Wodonga, Vic, on March 16 and is now available on tap at Bright Brewery and for selected retailers (keg-only).

To order, please contact sales@brightbrewery.com.au or to find your nearest Bright Brewery stockist, visit our Beer Locator.

Bright Brewery welcomes its first Ambassador

Bright Brewery is incredibly proud to welcome the inspirational, energetic, and all-round legend Samantha McMahon as Bright Brewery’s first ever Ambassador.

Sam, or Sammy 9.5 as she’s known (ask her why!), is already a beloved member of our staff as a Cook in our kitchen team, an accomplished mountaineer with an Everest summit under her belt and her sights set on K2 later this year, and a keen MTBer, trail runner, and paraglider. She is a familiar sight around Bright, where she uses the hilly terrain to train for her incredible mountaineering efforts.

Bright Brewery marketing and promotions officer Laura Gray said Sam personified exactly what the Brewery values – living and working in Active, Sustainable and Authentic ways.

“Sam is the perfect ambassador for our brand and we can’t wait to see what heights she hits next,” Laura said.

Sam said she was thrilled to represent a brand which aligned with her personal values and was prepared to invest in her, not just as an athlete but as an employee and a person. She intends to commence her chef’s apprenticeship at the Brewery when she returns from Pakistan later this year.

Bright Brewery beers get bold new look

A Lager inspired by trail runners, a Pale Ale paying tribute to mountain bikers, an Amber Ale dedicated to skiers, and a hearty Porter in homage to hikers are just some of the newly rebranded Bright Brewery beers dedicated to the adventurers who live and play in the High Country.

Bright Brewery is thrilled to announce that our Core Range of MountainCrafted beers has been completely rebranded, making each beer easier to identify and creating a stronger link to the beautiful region which inspires them.

The redesign includes bottle labels, six-pack carriers, and cases for all six Core Range beers, which consists of Alpine XPL, Blowhard Pale Ale, Razor Witbier, Hellfire Amber Ale, Fainters Dubbel, and Staircase Porter.

It’ll now be easier than ever to find your favourite Bright Brewery beer in the fridge, with each beer featuring a bold, bright new look paying tribute to outdoor adventurers and iconic local spots.

Blowhard Pale Ale (5.0% ABV) is inspired by the intrepid mountain bikers who tackle Victoria’s iconic High Country trails and is named after nearby Mount Blowhard. Alpine XPL (4.5% ABV) is a new Core Range beer, which replaces Bright Lager, and is dedicated to the trail runners of the region. Razor Witbier (5.0% ABV) features an homage to the road cyclists who frequent the Alpine hills and valleys and is named for the infamous Razorback Ridge on Mount Feathertop. Hellfire Amber Ale (5.0% ABV) pays tribute to the skiers who tackle the mountainous terrain in winter, such as Hellfire Gully off Mount Hotham. Fainters Dubbel (8.5% ABV) is one for the paragliders which are synonymous with Bright and the Fainters, the remote peaks beyond the town; and Staircase Porter (5.7% ABV) recognises the hikers who tread amongst the mountains, such as Staircase Spur – the steepest track to Victoria’s highest peak.

Bright Brewery Sales & Marketing Manager Tom Mullane-Grant said the new packaging was inspired by the Alpine Valley and mountains in which it was brewed, represented Bright Brewery’s values of Active, Authentic & Sustainable, and would give beer lovers a true ‘Bright experience’ wherever they happened to be drinking it.

“We’ve listened to the feedback from our customers, both beer drinkers and beer sellers, and we’ve made our branding brighter, bolder, more colourful and more iconically Bright Brewery,” Mullane-Grant said.

The new-look Blowhard and Alpine XPL are now available, with rebranded Razor and Hellfire to follow on April 1 and, finally, the new Fainters and Staircase from June 1.

All Bright Brewery beers are available from the Brewery, our online shop, and from more than 100 selected retailers around Australia. To find your nearest stockist, please visit our Beer Locator.

For wholesale enquiries, please contact Sales Manager Tom Mullane-Grant.

New Beer Alert: Sweetart Raspberry Sour

She’s sweet, she’s tart, she’s a little bit fruity – introducing Bright Brewery’s latest Brewer’s Choice beer, Sweetart Raspberry Sour.

Kettle-soured with friendly Lactobacillus, the addition of raspberry puree in kettle and in maturation has made our beautiful Sweetart into a refreshing and well-balanced raspberry sour with delectable raspberry flavour and aroma.

A limited-edition Brewer’s Choice beer, brewed especially for our Bright Mash Club members, Sweetart also features a malt bill of Pale Wheat and Acidulated malt with Azacca hops.

Sweetart was launched at the Great Australian Beer Festival Geelong on Feb 16 and received rave reviews from punters, who loved the tart flavour and pop of raspberry.

Sweetart is now available at Bright Brewery and selected pubs, bottleshops and restaurants. To find your nearest Bright Brewery stockist, visit our Beer Locator.

Mash Club delivery update

In order to bring our Mash Club members our best and freshest beers during the season in which they’re meant to be drunk, we will be adjusting the delivery dates for the remainder of the 2019 Mash Boxes and beyond.

Historically, Mash Boxes have been delivered in February (Summer beers), May (Autumn beers), August (Winter beers) and November (Spring beers), however, following feedback from and consultation with many of our Mash members and our Brewers, we have chosen to rearrange the schedule to ensure you’re getting beers near the start of the season for which they’re intended.

2019 Mash Box Deliveries

February (already delivered): Summer beers

May: Autumn beers

July: Winter beers

October: Spring beers

December: Summer beers

From 2020 Onwards

March: Autumn

June: Winter

October: Spring

December: Summer

We are making these changes in order to benefit you, our Mash Club members, and we really appreciate your understanding during this period of change. As always, we will communicate all expected delivery dates fully and are happy to answer questions at any time.

If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to email mash@brightbrewery.com.au

Bright Brewery launches beer in 375ml cans

Bright Brewery beer in a can? Can do!

Bright Brewery is thrilled to announce to craft beer lovers around Australia that its MountainCrafted beer is now available in 375ml cans – for a limited time only!

About 1800 litres (4800 cans) of popular Blowhard Pale Ale and Alpine XPL (Extra Pale Lager) has been canned, and will be launched at the Great Australian Beer Festival in Geelong, Vic, this weekend (Feb 16).

Bright Brewery Sales & Marketing Manager Tom Mullane-Grant said the addition of cans to the Bright Brewery range provides customers with the options they deserve.
“Our customers love our beer and they love cans, so we couldn’t keep them waiting any longer,” Tom said. “This a massive leap forward for our brewery and our push to wholesale our products. We are extremely proud of our beers and providing our customers with options around the vessel they can purchase them in is an exciting step for us.”

Bright Brewery Founder Scott Brandon said cans were an important development for the brewery, which focuses hugely on the sustainability of its operations.
“Here at Bright Brewery, we’re always looking forward in terms of innovation and trends which will allow us to improve the environmental sustainability of our business. Being lighter and more efficient to transport, and more easily recyclable, means our new cans will have a smaller environmental footprint, which is something we strive for in everything we do,” Scott said.
“This limited-run canning initiative, although only a trial, is a step towards evaluating the potential of adding a permanent canning line to the brewery.”

All Bright Brewery beers will continue to be bottled in 330ml bottles while the Brewery assesses the success of the cans over the next few months.

XPL is a new addition to Bright Brewery’s MountainCrafted Core Range of beers, replacing Alpine Ale and Bright Lager which, having been at the forefront of the MountainCrafted line up for many years, will be retired. The 4.5% ABV Alpine XPL is a crisp and refreshing lager, perfect for thirsty adventurers and a fitting ode to its home town.

Blowhard, a favourite of Bright Brewery’s Core Range for many years, is a 5% ABV American-style Pale Ale with a big hop flavour. It takes its name from majestic Mt Blowhard, near Bright.

Fresh off the canning line, Bright Brewery cans will be launched at the Great Australian Beer Festival Geelong tomorrow (Feb 16) and will be available at the Brewery and from selected retailers around Australia from next week. To order, please contact Tom Mullane Grant (details below) or to find your nearest stockist, please visit www.brightbrewery.com.au/beer/beer-locator

WHOLESALE ENQUIRIES | Tom Mullane-Grant
Sales Manager | Bright Brewery
121 Great Alpine Road | Bright VIC 3741
0439 316 600 | 03 5755 1346
sales@brightbrewery.com.au

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