MELBOURNE | When I’m looking to replenish the beer supply in my fridge, there are three Aussie breweries that I tend to do my online orders through. One of these is Rocky Ridge Brewing, which owners Hamish Coates and Mel Holland founded in 2017 on Hamish’s family farm in Jindong, Western Australia. I’ve been a big fan of Rocky Ridge’s beers since the beginning, from their solid core range through to their inventive and experimental limited creations.
With the growing Eastern States profile of the brewery, the amount of beer they’ve been sending to this side of the country has been increasing. Great for business, but also a challenge for a business that’s continually been at the forefront of sustainability and net-zero initiatives in the industry.
Earlier this year, Rocky Ridge, took a big step towards setting itself up for further growth in a sustainable manner, when they purchased Brunswick’s Thunder Road Brewing. Two weeks ago, the space reopened as Rocky Ridge Brunswick.
Things look much the same, but improvements have been made. The bar is more open and customer focused, some of the equipment has shifted around, and what used to be the lab on the mezzanine floor will soon be home to chill space with couches and a pool table. Expect live music from local up-and-coming artists.
Across 32 taps, you’ll find the full Rocky Ridge Range. There’s also wine, sprits, cocktails and non-alcoholic options from like minded independent Aussie producers. In the fridges you’ll find all the favourites and new release beers to take away. Keep an eye out for barrel aged beers made using yeast strains native to WA’s South West, and fun collaborations, like the recently released ‘Cheat Day’. It’s a banoffee pie imperial pastry stout brewed with Mane Liquor and Butter Crumbs. For something more classic, the Ace IPA and Jindong Juicy Pale Ale, are both crackers.
Food comes from the Airstream caravan parked in the front beer garden. It’s currently being run by the crew from taqueria, CDMX. Expect things like Baja fish tacos, birria, quesadillas, and nachos.
Rocky Ridge Brunswick
130 Barkly Street
Brunswick
Victoria 3056
Australia
Telephone: n/a
E-mail: n/a
Website
Open
Fri: 2:00pm to 11:00pm
Sat: 12:00pm to 11:00pm
Sun: 12:00pm to 9:00pm