No one should ever need much of a reason to head to Victoria’s northeast. The High Country has plenty going on whether you’re into mountain biking, hiking, fine wine, skiing, gourmet food, extreme sports – and, of course, beer. But just in case any beer lovers did need a little extra enticement, a new, updated and revamped High Country Brewery Trail guide has been launched by the almost-as-new North East Victorian Tourism Board. Featuring four Victorian microbreweries as well as some of their favourite mountain bike trails (they’re the sorts who thinking nothing of riding up and down a couple of mountains before mashing in), it’s been launched this week.
Three relative veterans of the northeast brewing scene are there – Bridge Road, Bright Brewery, and Sweetwater (which recently moved to a new home in Tawonga South) – alongside newcomer Black Dog, which is found at the Taminick Cellars winery where the winemaker, James Booth, is also the brewer.
According to the tourism bods who’ve put the guide together, complete with some beautiful photography, “Extending from the river to the mountains, Victoria's High Country Brewery Trail weaves a path to some truly lip-smacking, hand-crafted beers. Each of the four breweries – Black Dog Brewery, Bridge Road Brewers, Bright Brewery and Sweetwater Brewing Company – exudes its own personality and style, just like each of their brews. All the beers are made with an emphasis on quality, using only the best and finest ingredients and the pristine waters of Victoria’s High Country.
“See close up where the beers are brewed, and learn what goes into crafting a unique beer. Our breweries are family-owned and operated, so you may even hear some brewing secrets whispered from the brewers themselves as they pour your beer. Family friendly, our breweries have great outdoor areas for that pint in the sun. Now, there's an even better way to finish off a High Country day of touring wineries, savouring local fare, hitting the Rail Trail for a leisurely cycle or feeling the thrill of a downhill mountain bike track – and that's kicking back with a cool craft ale and taking it all in.”
The Crafty Pint has visited the area a few times and will be running a more extensive guide to the trail in both the Sunday Age and on this website in the near future. For now, if you’re keen to head to the hills and find out more for yourself, you can check out our listings (linked above) or download the new guide here:
