Darker Days takes place on July 1

Bright Brewery announces new High Country mid-winter festival.

A new festival celebrating Victoria’s Alpine winter will set Bright alight on Saturday the 1st of July this year.

DARKER DAYS will bring together High Country producers and operators, entertainers, beer lovers and families to toast the season and welcome the return of lighter days following the Winter Solstice.

The family friendly festival will be centred around locally produced dark beers and warming foods, along with live music and winter activities. After the sun sets, Bright Brewery’s riverside lands will truly come alive with a spectacular ceremonial burning of a giant wooden structure in the shape of the brewery’s logo, which was revealed at the recent Bright Autumn Festival Gala Day parade.

Bright Brewery Marketing Manager, James Davidson, says that Darker Days will be “a diverse celebration of winter in the mountains.” “Darker Days will revolve around themes of winter, fire and togetherness, with and range of food, drink, entertainment and activities to warm and inspire everyone during the dark days of the High Country winter,” explained Mr Davidson.

“We’re inviting local brewers to showcase their dark and winter beers. There will be no pale ales or lagers available, unless the beer has a specific winter twist.”

“We’ve also lined up a delicious selection from local wineries and a cider maker to serve mulled cider, plus gourmet winter foods and treats from local producers. We’ll be gathering around multiple fires to make damper and to roast marshmallows and chestnuts, with local wordsmiths and poets to tell campfire tales and maybe even a ghost story or two. It will be a full day of mid-winter fun!”

Darker Days will begin at 1:00pm on the 1st of July and run through until 10:00pm. The festival is free to attend and all ages are welcome.

DARKER DAYS essentials:

Event: Bright Brewery presents DARKER DAYS – a dark beer & mid-winter festival.

Location: Bright Brewery’s block, 123 Great Alpine Road (a very large marquee to ensure rain or snow do not affect the event).

Date & Time: Saturday 1st July, 1pm to 10pm. Cost: Free entry!

What: Dark/winter beers from the High Country, local wines & cider, food vendors, live music & entertainment, fireside activities, campfire stories, dancing and more!

Confirmed featured brewers: Black Dog Brewery, Blizzard Brewing, Bridge Road Brewers, Sweetwater Brewing Co, Nightingale Alpine Cider. Darker Days will also mark the 2017 launch of Bright Brewery’s annual winter brew Stubborn Russian Imperial Stout made with Bright Chocolate, and will see the return of a winter favourite from last year – Black Diamond India Black Ale. Confirmed featured performers: Hillbilly DJs, Mcrobin, and more to be announced soon!