Winter is coming and so is Dark Beer Month at Murray’s Craft Brewing Company, which begins with free blues concerts and limited edition beer releases this June long weekend.

Dark Beer Month festivities will run across June and July, incorporating the release of four extreme dark beer from Murray’s Brewing, along with dark beer-inspired dishes at the restaurant and special events at the brewery.

“The program is bigger and wilder than ever, with the release of four dark beers, including an amazing mussel stout that won its category at New Zealand’s biggest beer festival last year,” said Murray.

“Dark beers are becoming more and more popular in Australia, but the trend naturally becomes more prominent in winter. We’re giving people some great reasons to celebrate these cooler months.”

Dark Beer Month will officially kick off with free winter blues concerts at Murray’s Brewery & Port Stephens Winery.

On Saturday 8 June, Norm Bakker performs his Elvis tribute show focused on Elvis’ country and blues classics.

On Sunday 9 June, brewery favourite CATFISH SOUP plays swampy blues.

They will also launch the first of their limited edition dark beers, Murray’s ‘Wild Thing’ Imperial Stout, in the bottle.

“Wild Thing is one of our most anticipated annual beer releases, and sells out in no time.”

“It’s a massive, intense drinking experience inspired by the great stouts favoured by the Russian Imperial Court. The colour is intensely black. The flavour is an intense hit of mocha with some malt sweetness but an aggressive hop bitterness and roast grain bite to balance.”

Released in the bottle from Saturday 8 June, direct from the brewery or online.

Full details will be announced shortly – their biggest and wildest program to date.

Event: Dark Beer Month

Date: June to July, 2013

Location:Murray’s Brewery & Port Stephens Winery

About: Murray’s will be open every day over the June long weekend, from 10am. Brewery Tours are run daily at 2pm.

Bookings: call 02 4982 6411 or email greatbeer@murraysbrewingco.com.au

For further information visit the Murray’s Craft Brewing website.