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Wednesday, September 10, 2025 $2.00 inc GST
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Bright Brewery a true local success story By PHOEBE MORGAN
The growth of Bright Brewery over the past 20 years is one of the town’s great success stories. From humble beginnings in a tin shed, the business has grown into one the North East region’s hospitality hotspots, with its locally brewed ales and lagers continuing to gain fans across the country. “First and foremost, we are a community based business; housed within Bright for over two decades,” Bright Brewery’s national business development and brand manager, Evin Craney said. “We employ around 80 to 100 employees throughout the year which makes us one of largest employers in region and the largest independent employer in Bright and surrounds. “We’re committed to our community through sponsorships with local groups such as the United Bright Football and Netball Club and supporting the Mystic Mountain Bike Park. “Our beers are brewed with locally grown hops, and through our kitchen our menu also supports as many locally-based food growers and businesses as possible.” The Bright Brewery’s first beers produced and sold were in January 2005; shortly after their original brew pub venue opened
CHEERS TO THAT: The Bright Brewery team celebrated the success of their Alpine Lager, voted the #1 Independent Lager in the GABS Hottest 100, at Staff Appreciation Day in January this year. PHOTO: Bright Brewery
just off the Ovens River. The site was originally a tin shed, holding a few seats under cover, with the rest of the hospitality space spilling out into the grounds. Over the course of next decade, brewing production occurred on site. In 2014, the original building was renovated to increase hospitality capabilities to become a 1000-person venue in good weather. In 2018, the brewery’s new production facility was opened up, to increase production capabilities and remains in operation today, just down the road at Bright’s industrial estate. The decision to increase and move off-site was to meet market
demand and reinvest infrastructure into the local community to support local manufacturing and employment. Since 2020, all beer produced by the Bright Brewery has been made at the new production site, known to the company as Fred’s Shed, which pays tribute to the brewery’s late founder Fiona ‘Fred’ Reddaway. “Over the past five years, continued investment in infrastructure has come due to increased market demand as our beers have now gone from just our local North East market, to both international and national markets,” Mr Craney said. “In 2025, after many years of polling in the top 50 beers nationally, our flagship beer Alpine
Lager won the distinction of being Australia’s #1 independent lager. “At Bright Brewery we pride ourselves on being a community venue which not only focuses on supporting local business, but also provides tailored events to the community. “Our upcoming ‘In The Paddock’ local mini festival, to held on Saturday, 20 September, is a chance to celebrate our town and get together in a time where it’s truly needed. “Ten per cent of all ticket sales will be donated to charity in support of our first responders.” The Bright Brewery’s upcoming future events include the second annual BeirFest - a tribute to Oktoberfest but with an high country spin on 25 October.