Coldstream Brewery is one of the elderstatesmen of the Victorian craft beer scene. They’re arguably better known for their cider than their beer, however produce a wider range of styles than most people would be aware. The brewery was launched in 2007 by five friends in the town of the same name, also known as the “gateway to the Yarra Valley”; one of Victoria’s famous wine regions.
The idea for the brewery & cidery germinated whilst working in bars across Europe in the 90’s. They really liked the European style ciders & beers and thought that there would be a market for them in Australia. They returned to full time jobs in Australia & started trying to master the cider they wanted to produce. In about 2004 they actively began the process of finding a site & equipment for their brewery. They found their perfect site in Coldstream on the edge of the Yarra Valley & their kit at a recently closed brewery in New Zealand. A combination of these factors & more saw the brewery finally launch in 2007.
Brewery Type
Gypsy
Brewed At: Southern Bay
Region
Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges
Tasting Room
694 Maroondah Highway, Coldstream
In 2010 two of the original owners, Rohan Peters & Mike Basset, bought out their three other founders. The duo have known each other their entire lives, born to friends less than two weeks apart in the small town of Korumburra. Rohan quit his job & started at the brewery full-time, whilst Mike continues to work as a Vet part-time.
Together the duo grew the business to the point that they’d maxxed out capacity at the Coldstream site, becoming the Official Cider of the Australian Grand Prix & Moto GP along the way. Instead of looking for a separate production facility the pair chose to go down the contract route, with Southern Bay the destination of choice. The brewkit was loaned to Gus & Phil Kelly, of nearby Kellybrook Winery, who moved the kit to a Moorabbin warehouse they owned & started Riders Brew Co.
The overall Coldstream brand has continued strong growth, with export deals in place with China, the UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan & more. As I alluded to off the top, anecdotally I think the beer brand is dwarfed by the cider. The cider is made from 100% fruit, not concentrate like most ciders on the market. It’s dry & wonderfully drinkable; unlike most other readily available Australian ciders…
My visit for Year of the Local was actually my first visit to the Coldstream venue. It looks like a fancy pub, it’s a deep brick building with a verandah across the front, where we initially took out seats. It’s a little bit rustic with a lot of wood & corrugated iron finishes. Atop the verandah is a large carving of their “Shivering Man”, it’d be hard not to notice it from the road. There’s plenty of parking including for buses, which makes plenty of sense at the gateway to a large wine region.
Inside you find a dining room similar to 100’s you’d see around the country. There’s a relatively narrow area with a few tables next to the bar & a larger dining room behind. As you go down the side of the building you come across a little beer garden area & a cool little wood lined bar. It’s a great spot for a beer and has a vastly different atmosphere than the main pub area. It’s really a place that could cater to almost anyone – a great hospitality venue.
I thought I’d review one of a number of the limited releases they brew with other Melbourne brewers, presumably on the others’ kit. This is Lager Than Life, a 7.3% India Pale Lager brewed with The Mill Brewery, in Collingwood. I quite liked the beer, there were slightly sweet malts upfront before grassy & tropical hop notes & bitterness take over. It’s a beer that drank too well for the ABV…
Remember it’s always Beer O’Clock somewhere in the world!
