Blizzard Brewery’s Mark Hubbard – Photo by Charlie Brown

Victoria’s High Country Brewery Trail now extends the length and breadth of the region, with its ranks swelling to seven different breweries.

The newcomers are Social Bandit Brewing Company in Mansfield, Blizzard Brewery in Dinner Plain and Rutherglen Brewery.

They join the four established High Country craft brewers in Bright Brewery, Black Dog Brewery in Taminick, Bridge Road Brewers in Beechworth and Sweetwater Brewing Company in Mount Beauty.

The High Country Brewery Trail now meanders from Mansfield at the foot of Mt Buller through the picturesque Goulburn Valley to the foot of the Warby Ranges, along the King and Ovens valleys beyond, climbing the Alpine peaks to Dinner Plain, descending to the Kiewa Valley and across the Murray River plains to Rutherglen.

“Along the way, visitors can learn from brewers themselves the art of craft beer making – from the individual ingredients they use – such as locally sourced hops, grown in the High Country for more than 100 years – to the brewing techniques they apply to produce their own unique brews,” Tourism North East says.

Gavin Swalwell at Rutherglen Brewery

“And, just like the beers they hand craft on site, each of the breweries reflects the personality and style of the individual brewers themselves, such as the amazing handmade pretzels at Bridge Road Brewers, Milawa Cheese platters at Blizzard and mouthwatering pizzas served at most of the breweries along the trail.

“The extended Brewery Trail offers a great excuse to take a few days off and explore the entire High Country region. Along the way, stop off at fantastic wineries, cafes and restaurants dishing up fresh, locally sourced fare, cycle the Rail Trails or join the brewers hitting a downhill run. And at the end of the day, kick back with a cool, locally crafted ale.”

All seven of the High Country brewers will meet at Blizzard Brewery in Dinner Plain on September 21 for a celebratory collaboration brew.

Australian Brews News toured the High Country Brewery Trail last year. You can read that write-up here.