"Beer, above all other tonics, is the most nourishing for the soul" - Me one night when I was about 10 deep.
I love beer.
You could say that I'm a bit of a beer snob and I wouldn't argue with you. In fact, between my brother and I we have an ongoing competition to see who can visit the most breweries. He is kicking my ass by a long shot, but that won't stop me sharing my love and experience of the amazing beers brewed in my home state of Victoria.
Victoria itself is a beautiful part of the world. At it's heart lies Melbourne, a city that literally has everything anyone could ever need and has rightly earned it's place as the most liveable city in the world. It even hides a few micro gems which are just the icing on the cake. However, for me the real experience of a micro brew lies in traveling to a picturesque part of the country and soaking up the serenity.
I've compiled this list based on the quality of the beer and the atmosphere of the brewery itself. Having good food is also a plus!
- MOON DOG - Abbotsford
I wanted to kick off the list with these guys because they really capture the true essence of what it means to be a micro brewery.
Started in 2010 by two brothers and their mate, they grabbed peoples attention with a mind blowing double IPA and have garnered a reputation for experimenting with weird and wonderful brews ever since.
The brewery is also "so Melbourne". It's literally just in a small industrial workshop down a laneway in a trendy suburb with second hand couches and chairs placed about for people to sit on. They don't have an actual kitchen so they have a permanent pizza truck set up out the front which does some great but simple pizzas to snack on while trying all the strange and exiting beers. There's even a projector screen that comes down when there's a sporting match on. Beer. Pizza. Sport? Yeah, that sounds like a good night out to me!
The other great thing about Moon Dog is the location. If you're from interstate or overseas and you're staying in Melbourne it is super easy to get to and only ever a short Über ride into the city.
No matter your taste buds, if you're in Melbourne you need to visit this hipster paradise.
https://www.facebook.com/moondogbrewing/?rf=360804043989104
- GRAND RIDGE BREWERY - Mirboo North
This brewery has been a pit stop for me and my friends on countless occasions.
I am originally from the La Trobe Valley which is only about a 40 minute drive from Mirboo North and this place has served as the watering hole on the way to and from many surf trips to the coast, only another 30 minute drive further on.
Grand Ridge is actually one of Australia's first and most recognised craft breweries. Set up in an old butter factory in the beautiful town of Mirboo North, the drive through the Strzelecki Ranges is one that should be on any travellers list.
They do a nice range of beers that are obviously pretty decent, the place has won over 250 awards both nationally and internationally. The food is also just good quality classic pub meals. I'm probably guilty of chicken genocide with the amount of chicken parmas i've eaten there over the years.
While you're in town, check out some of the nature walks in the surrounding area. There is also a great farmers market on once a month which always has some fantastic local produce, so take a full wallet!
- HOLGATE BREWHOUSE - Woodend
At only an hours drive from Melbourne, this place has it all!
This family owned business is a destination all on its own. Comprising a brewery, public bar, restaurant and even a 10 room hotel, this is the ultimate one stop shop for a weekend getaway!
With an incredible range of beers (I love the Hopinator) there is something here for every pallet. I'm always a fiend of buying the tasting paddles at breweries and would strongly recommend it here. That way you can figure out what you're going to drink for the rest of the night before passing out in your room upstairs.
The other great thing is that because it's so close to Melbourne, it's a great day trip with a group of friends. Of course I recommend having a designated driver for doing so, don't drink and drive M'kay.
For dinner you can have a casual meal in the bar and lounge area, but for something a little special, make a booking for the restaurant and get the full service where they utilise fresh local ingredients to create a memorable modern Australian menu which will not disappoint.
http://www.holgatebrewhouse.com
- BRIGHT BREWERY - Bright
Bright is my favourite place on earth and that's saying a lot because I've been to a lot of places.
My family and I have been going to bright every Easter since I was a little kid and I never get sick of the place. During Autumn it is hands down one of the most breath takingly beautiful places you will come across. Nestled in the mountains of Victorias Alpine mountain range, the town is just magical.
And planted firmly right in the middle of paradise is this incredible brewery.
I have been going to this brewery from when it first opened and was literally just a shed with only one or two taps and just a couple of picnic benches outside to sit at. Since then it has come so far along that it's unrecognisable and believe me, that's a good thing.
They have an amazing out door deck area with plenty of seating and live music over the holiday periods. The indoor dining is a nice modern Australian chic and the food is fantastic! What is it with these breweries all doing awesome wood fire pizzas? Not that i'm complaining!
The brewery has some nice beers, but this place isn't even about the beer, it's the atmosphere.
Sit outside during Autumn and just soak up the sheer beauty of Bright and the Alpine region. The changing colours of the leaves, the fresh clean mountain air and the mountains surrounding on all sides make it feel like a fairy tale. This place is my happy place and I encourage you to visit it!
Recently they have also taken some great steps toward reducing their carbon foot print by installing solar panels to power their brewing.
”The environment is one of the biggest drivers of Bright’s economy, regularly drawing many visitors here across the seasons for the spectacular scenery and alpine adventures, so it is imperative for us to do our part in sustaining it.”
Please! If you are reading this post, please do yourself a favour and plan a trip to Bright at some point in your life!
- BRIDGE ROAD BREWERS - Beechworth
Bridge Road is the perfect example of an Australian micro brewery.
Their beer is exceptional. In fact, my favourite session beer for the last couple of years has been the Pale Ale, but they have so many different beers that you absolutely have to get a tasting paddle or two.
They also do great food. Some of the best pizzas i've had anywhere in Australia and probably some other stuff, but really, we all know that beer and pizza is the winning combo.
Located in the old coach house and stables in one of Victorias most historic towns, where our greatest outlaw was jailed and not much has changed since. They even adopted the likeness of said outlaw for their mascot with rusted steel cuts of the logo strewn around, it's like you are stepping back in time as you walk down the cobbled stone streets before turning and walking down the laneway of the coach house to the brewery itself.
This one really is the quintessential Australian micro brewery, and as it's only a 45 minute drive to Bright, if you visit one you have to visit the other!
I hope you enjoyed this list!
If there's a brewery you think should have made the cut, let me know in the comments and be sure to upvote and follow for more top 5 lists!