Winning brewery on the money

THE city’s craft beer industry continues to bubble away nicely, with one local brewery recently receiving national recognition for a second year.

Invermay’s Fiona and Ed Nolle of Dollar Bill Brewing were presented with the Australian Gypsy Brewer Award by Melbourne Royal for their “nomad brewing” operation at the 2022 Australian International Beer Awards.

They also entered nine beers into the process, with each one awarded a medal.

“We got two golds for a barrel-aged blackcurrant wild ale called Aftermath, and Perception, a barrel-aged Brett Saison, which were part our Storm Series,” Mr Nolle said.

The couple won a silver for their historic Lichtenhainer beer made from a 200-year-old recipe, and also took home six more bronze placings.

“There were over 2600 entries from 20 countries. It’s the longest-running and biggest beer awards in the world, and it’s run so smoothly and flawlessly,” Mrs Nolle said.

“You get really great feedback from the judges, what they liked, what the beers were missing, and it’s awesome to get that input from experts that do this for a living.

“This kind of beer-making is still really young in Australia… and brewing is hard work, but it’s rewarding to know we’re on the right track and that our beers are good.”

In 2021, five years into their trade, Dollar Bill Brewing were awarded Australian Champion Beer for their wild ale Gold Teeth. Another fruited beer like theirs won this title in 2022.

“It shows a slight shift from IPAs and pale ales. The industry is broadening which is perfect for us. We feel more understood,” Mrs Nolle said.

“The industry is no longer just the hipster scene in Collingwood and Abbotsford, regionals like us are really starting to shine.

“We’re making the most of our area to do spontaneous wild yeast captures and making the most of our local flora and fauna.”

Dollar Bill Brewing has a subscriber club, the Rare Oak Society, and is currently having a new stainless coolship locally made.

The brewery opens its cellar door 12 weekends a year. The furniture inside has been crafted from timber which was grown on the couple’s property.