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Ben and Maria Kraus launched Bridge Road Brewers from a Beechworth backyard in 2005 after Ben's winemaking apprenticeship in Italy got derailed by a stint at a microbrewery in Innsbruck. Talk about a happy (or hoppy) accident!
More than two decades later, the couple's passion project is still independently owned, still brewing in the High Country, and still filling its shelves with shiny gold trophies. Its flagship Beechworth Pale Ale, for example, has been Victoria's highest-polling beer in the GABS Hottest 100 for eight consecutive years running.
The brewery has since opened additional venues in Brunswick East and Melbourne Airport, but the Beechworth HQ – situated in a circa-1850s Victorian Gold Rush-era coach house – remains the heart and soul of where it all began.
The historic charm of the venue is reason enough to make the drive: a generous 340-seat taproom with brewery operations in full view, plus a sunny courtyard for long lunches. Watch the brewers at work while you eat, or book a free tour – they run one every day of the week.
Though beer is the focus, outstanding woodfired pizzas certainly make a powerful pairing and punch well above what you'd expect from a brewery kitchen. The blue cheese and apple has held its spot on the board for years, but there are plenty others to take your fancy if that sounds too bold. Try the chilli prawn (marinated prawns, goat’s cheese, cherry tomatoes, shredded mozzarella, crispy chilli oil, San Marzano tomato) or the decadent porco rosso (pork meatballs, spicy nduja, hot honey, fior di latte, shredded mozzarella, sage, vodka sauce).
On holiday? It's easy for a simple pint and pizza to turn into a full day on your itinerary, since the brewery is famous for hosting a cornucopia of year-round community events – from regular run clubs and masterclasses to an Oktoberfest drinking party and the unmissable High Country Hop, a beer lovers' festival built entirely around indie producers from across the region, soundtracked by a next-level live music line-up.
Fun fact: in recent years, Bridge Road Brewers has also become the unofficial hangout for North East Victoria's cycling enthusiasts. So if you're a MAMIL (middle aged man in lycra), trust you'll be in good company here. Free bike hire gets you exploring the town and countryside at your own pace, and you're within easy reach of some of the area's best trails.
If you're concerned about beer and bicycles being a wobbly combo, rest assured that it's easy to say no to the sauce at Bridge Road, thanks to its surprisingly delicious Free Time line of alcohol-free brews. The range took out an award for Best Non-Alcohol Beer at the 2025 Australian International Beer Awards.
For more info visit the website.
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