Who: Bridge Road Brewers
Where: 42 Ford St, Beechworth
When: Sun-Sat 11-11pm
The Bridge Road story begins in the year 2000 when Beechworth native Ben Kraus, packed his bags for Europe to learn more about the world and the art of making wine. Along the way he met his wife Maria and ended up working at a traditional microbrewery in Austria. Ben returned home a brewer (with Maria), determined to make quality beers in Australia.
In 2005, the couple opened the first iteration of the brewery in Ben’s dad’s shed on Bridge Road, Beechworth. It was a microbrewery in every sense with a 10HL brewery, bar, tasting room, and a bottling line all crammed into the tiny space. But it was clear Ben and Maria were onto a winner and the brewery quickly outgrew its original location.
In 2006, the doors opened at the current home in Beechworth. The brewery has grown to employ 40 staff who all share a passion for that vision. By 2023, Bridge Road’s Beechworth venue features a 340-seat taproom, pizzeria, and a 25HL brewhouse. If that wasn’t enough, they’ve recently opened another brewery in East Brunswick, Melbourne.
Bridge Road has become a must-stop in Beechworth for their annual High Country Hop festival. We recommend trying their Aussie craft classic – Beechworth Pale Ale. It’s a sessionable yet full-flavoured new world pale ale, featuring Galaxy and Vic Secret.