A very hoppy birthday

BENDIGO Beer are pouring one out to mark ten years of supporting local, independent breweries.

The not-for-profit group started in 2011 with the aim of convincing local venues to offer a wider range of beer.

Chair of Bendigo Beer, Trevor Birks, said their work helping the region’s pubs and clubs was even more important after last year.

“We thought coming out of a really bad year for Bendigo hospitality, we thought if we could do an event that could get people out and engaging with good independent breweries and good venues again, we would,” he said.

“Then it dawned on us that this year was actually the 10th anniversary of our first event back in May 2011.

“So, we thought why not have a 10th birthday party? We can’t let that milestone pass. In true form we made it open to anyone and everyone that wants to come along.”

To celebrate, Bendigo Beer is hosting a free night of beer culture at Handle Bar on Saturday, with Bridge Road Brewers, Holgate Brewhouse and Blackman’s Brewery coming along.

On the night there will be special craft beers available on tap, and live music from Central Victorian cover band Mr Samsonite.

Mr Birks said he’s witnessed the beer scene in Bendigo grow over the last decade and the region has seen an influx of independent craft breweries.

“It’s been an amazing journey from the first day when Bendigo had maybe two or three venues serving anything like craft beer, let alone independent craft beer,” he said.

“Now we’re closing in in over 60 and nine independent craft breweries in the region, soon to be a 10th. It’s come a long way and it’s just needed to be celebrated.

“We want to influence Bendigo’s hospitality scene and more importantly influence people to support independent family-owned breweries.

“We’ve inspired dozens of different towns and cities to get together and demand their local venues provide opportunity to taste and support their local breweries.”

Bendigo Beer will hold their annual independent beer festival Bendigo on the Hop on Saturday, 28 August.