Overview
When you think of Victoria's High Country, you probably picture its rugged mountain landscape, charming historic towns and generations-old wineries. But there's a new crop of producers putting the state's northeast on the map for a different product: the beer.
From the rivers to the mountains, seven craft breweries across the region have banded together to create the High Country Brewery Trail, the ultimate beer journey for any frothy fan. This tight-knit community of brewers shares a love of place, sustainable practice, local produce and good old-fashioned country hospitality — as well as the simple guiding ethos that life is too short to drink bad beer.
The trail, which is inspired by wine trails, covers a broad range of brews, from easy-drinking British ales and European bier, to weird and wonderful sours, seasonal releases and everything in between. Sustainability and innovation are at the heart of operations across the board. There's King River Brewing's use of the award-winning sustainable malts from Voyager in the NSW Riverina, Billson's spring water from its on-site well and the solar-powered beer of Bright Brewery (pictured below).
Rob Blackburn, Visit Victoria
Nathan Cowan, owner of Billson's, sees a special spirit and love for the area coming through in the work of local producers.
"I think everyone who lives in the High Country takes a lot of pride in showcasing our beautiful region," he says. "The craft beer scene is so exceptional thanks to pioneers such as Bridge Road Brewers and Bright Brewery, they have set an incredibly high standard for others to aspire to."
For Ben Kraus, head brewer at Beechworth's Bridge Road Brewers (pictured below), the quality of his brews sprung out of the region's renowned food and wine scene, and the brilliant local produce those industries celebrate.
"Our brewery was one of the first of its kind in Victoria — a regional brewery modelled on a modern winery, with a cellar door offering tastings, a bar, retail sales and, later, a restaurant," he says. "Beechworth is a beautiful village known mostly for its gold rush colonial heritage and links to Ned Kelly, but those in the know are also aware that it doubles as a culinary paradise. We're really proud to represent our town and region, and offer an authentic and unique experience to our community and visitors."
Peter Dunphy, Tourism North East
Indeed, each brewery has its own charm, from the converted tobacco kiln that's now the taproom at the laidback King River Brewing, to the sprawling 1850s coach house that's home to Bridge Road Brewers and the famous 150-year-old brick brewery that houses Billson's.
The best time to visit? That'd be winter — and it's not hard to see why. "Crisp winter mornings, sunny days, open fires, dark beers, all at a time of year when too much food never seems enough," Kraus says.
For King River Brewing's Nathan Munt, the Victoria High Country in the colder months is a whole world away from any grey city winter.
"With bright blue skies on clear days and vivid scenery on cloudy ones, the experience is almost surreal when you come out of the city," he says. "There is such a focus on local produce and many family-run small businesses that you can always treat yourself to amazing home-style food, great dark and warming beers, elegant wines, fresh winter veg and roasted produce."
Josie Withers, Visit Victoria
And those seasonal beers are looking good right now. Bridge Road has just launched its 17th anniversary ale, the B2 Bomber Mach 12.0, a big-bodied beer perfect for shaking off the winter chill.
While Billson's is keeping its new releases under wraps for now, Cowan says the head brewer has a few special brews up his sleeve. "We've set ourselves the challenge of launching at least one new drink every week for the next 12 months," he says. "Many of these will be exclusive to the region and world firsts."
In addition to its usual balanced and approachable European-style beers (including an award-winning doppelbock), King River Brewing's winter brews include a Fig Porter and a number of wet-hopped offerings, all made with fresh harvest ingredients. It's also spearheaded this year's Rule 47, the annual collaboration between each of the brewers on the High Country Brewery Trail that showcases the best of the region's hops. This year's version is a crisp new-world pilsner with notes of passionfruit and white peach.
Whether you go for the tried-and-true classics or the seasonal releases, every stop along the trail has something to offer. As Munt tells us, each spot offers something special.
"Couple the unique location and scenery at each brewery and the fact that the High Country is the home of hops, with the largest and most innovative hop farms in Australia right on our doorstep, the High Country Brewery Trail is an absolute must for anybody who enjoys beer."
BEER HERE: THE ESSENTIAL STOPS ON VICTORIA'S HIGH COUNTRY BREWERY TRAIL
BRIGHT BREWERY, BRIGHT
This brewery, bar and bike-hub in the heart of Bright — overlooking the Ovens River — is inspired by the alpine breweries of the US. It's made a name for itself with its special releases (affogato stout, anyone?) and is making huge strides towards carbon neutrality, with about one-third of its operations running on solar power.
BRIDGE ROAD BREWERS, BEECHWORTH
Heritage meets innovation in Bridge Road Brewers' 1850s-era coach house. The spot in picturesque Beechworth offers 20 beers on a rotating tap with both traditional and progressive styles (including a zero-alc brew) and a top-notch pizza menu showcasing local produce.
BLACK DOG BREWERY, TAMINICK
Brewer (and fourth-generation winemaker) James Booth uses traditional techniques and pure Warby Range water for Black Dog Brewery's handcrafted small-batch beers, which range from pales to stouts, all poured from a traditional English beer engine.
KING RIVER BREWING, WHITFIELD
King River's brewpub is an inviting space in a converted tobacco kiln, where hearty bratwurst and wood-fired pizza match the Euro-style biers on offer, all set among the gorgeous tree-lined scenery of the King Valley.
MITTA MITTA BREWING CO, MITTA MITTA
This family-run brewery (pictured above) in the rugged Mitta Valley, about an hour from Albury/Wodonga, was built from local timber and reclaimed materials. Come for the ethical, sustainable food and brews made from hops grown on site, stay for the scenic views and cosy fire.
CRANK HANDLE BREWERY, TAWONGA SOUTH
Head to Crank Handle Brewery to sit back in the shadows of Mount Bogong and sip on honest traditional beers. There's Bruno's Bitter (an ESB), Kell's Kolsch, Alpine Ale, Dangerous Dave's Lager and more, all ready to be paired with hearty, no-fuss eats, friendly hosts and an unbeatable location.
BILLSON'S BREWERY, BEECHWORTH
Billson's philosophy is to craft good, easy-drinking beers using local ingredients — including spring water from its on-site well — in its 150-year-old brewery. The space boasts a tasting room, underground speakeasy and even an old-school soda bar where you can sample the producer's famous cordials.
For more great ways to experience the incredible food and drinks in Victoria's High Country this winter, head to the website.