Grand Ridge Brewing Co.

 

 

visited this place in early Jan 2014. A little bit off the main road, it is worth the drive. Not much to look at from the outside, the inside is kitted out like a traditional country pub. All the favourites on tap, plus a few seasonal beers (dark side of juniper was awesome). Seating is right next to the brewery. I can't imagine this place being packed full, but we went there around 12noon so maybe we were early

We only stopped for a quick beer, no food. Very friendly staff keen for a chat about the brewing processl

This brewery is about an hour or so from Melbourne. I found this brewery by accident when I made a wrong turn while driving thru the Gippsland. They have won a number of awards for their beers over the years so the beers are quite solid across the board. Too bad they are hard to find in Melbourne. The bartender was not too knowledgeable but the service was good. The pub grub is quite good. The Hatlifter Stout was excellent and the Yarra Valley Gold Real Ale hit the spot after the long drive. The prices seem reasonalble. worth a stop if you are in the area.

My Uncle-in-law, Tim, invited me for a lazy Saturday drive through the Victorian dairyland to the state's oldest and, as it claims, most awarded brewery, Grand Ridge. I was excited to visit the brewery because I had heard that many of the state's better brewers had started their brewing careers there before heading off on their own; leading me to believe that the joint is something of a breeding ground for the Victorian beer scene. Plus, it really is a most beautiful drive.

We opened the brewhouse doors and entered what I can only describe as a backwoods, defunct dairy processing plant turned corporate brewpub chain forgotten by time and left to die in the hands of capable, but unsure and aesthetically-incompetant managers.

We sat down at the bar and were greeted by cute, young women who were friendly and polite, but who's beer knowledge was nothing and less-than-nothing. I ordered the prefabbed and horrible flight of their "house" beers.

The bartender kept this customer satisfied by offering me a few of their specialty taps to make up for my disappointing flight and I was momentarily satiated with the Mirboo Midnight aged on oak.

Overall, pricey for what it is. I can see they have one lazy eye on the future with their "Limited Releases", but they are gonna have to step up their game if they wanna stand-out in the new school Australian brewhouse scene.