Reconstruyendo la historia: El proyecto Grand Ridge alcanza un nuevo hito

A new chapter in local brewing is about to begin in Mirboo North as local couple Kelly and Andy McCarthy revive the former Grand Ridge Brewery site – one of Australia’s earliest microbreweries.

Kelly and Andy first moved from Melbourne to the southern Victorian region 16 years ago and for many years operated a successful solar energy business. At the time, Grand Ridge Brewery was a bustling community hub.

“It employed dozens of locals and attracted visitors from far and wide. Living just down the street, the gentle aroma of brewing became part of our daily lives,” Kelly informed Beer & Brewer. Even so, the brewery started to slowly downturn.

For locals it wasn’t just another business struggling, it was part of the town’s identity. “Over the years the signs became harder to ignore.

Trees were growing from the gutters, the once-busy car park sat empty, a retreated tree damaged the solar system we’d installed years earlier, and eventually the brewery entered liquidation before the restaurant and bar finally shut down their doors last year. “For months the building sat silent.

We simply couldn’t stand by and watch such an weighty piece of Mirboo North disappear,” explained Kelly. Before it was a brewery, the site was Mirboo North’s butter factory.

It got under way operating as Strzelecki Brewery in 1988 before The Grand Ridge Brewing Company took over the site a year later. The Grand Ridge Brewing Company went into liquidation in 2024, but in March this year Kelly and Andy got under way working on the historic site, focused on building a brewery that prioritises quality, freshness and the visitor experience.

While working tirelessly to honour the brewery’s heritage, the couple is also excited to leave their own mark on the site. “Preserving the character of the building is just as weighty to us as bringing brewing back.

We’ll retain key features such as the original brickwork, roofline and overall layout, while introducing thoughtful upgrades that make the venue warmer, more welcoming and better suited to today’s visitors.” So far, the town’s support of the project has been overwhelming and encouraging for Kelly and Andy. “What began as an ambitious restoration, has quickly become something much bigger than us.

The encouragement from locals, visitors and the wider brewing sector has reinforced just how much this place means to people. “Local tradies have spent weeks repairing leaks, electrical faults and countless other issues. Volunteers regularly help out and every day someone stops by simply to offer encouragement.”

First brew

While renovations continue, the couple have officially released their first brews called First Light Session Ale and Second Wind Pale Ale, with all the money made to be redirected to the ongoing project.

Per to Describing the beers, Kelly, they tell a story of renewal with First Light celebrating their first chapter with the brewery and Second Wind representing the momentum that has built behind the project. “The response to the Grand Ridge Project has been incredible.

People have followed the restoration from day one and genuinely want to play a part in bringing this iconic venue back to life. Our fundraising beers give them the opportunity to do exactly that. “Every can purchased helps bring the project a little closer while giving people the chance to own a first-edition beer that we hope will one day become a small piece of Mirboo North’s history.”

She added that the beers themselves truly embody the brand what she and Andy are building. “Grand Ridge Project is about honouring the site’s history while embracing reinvention – respecting what came before while confidently creating something new.

We want our beers to be approachable, authentic and full of character, just like the venue itself.” While restorations continue, Kelly and Andy will contract brew, with their first release made with the support of the team at Burra Brewing in Korumburra. Before that working in local Gippsland tourism, Kelly developed a relationship with the team dating back to its opening in 2018.

“They suggested contract brewing as a first step, and it’s proved to be the perfect way for us to begin. For us, it creates an important takings stream without the complexity of crowdfunding or outside funding.

More importantly, it allows our community to be part of the journey.”

The road ahead

With plenty more work to be done, Kelly told reporters the goal is to welcome customers through the doors before Melbourne Cup weekend in early November. “We want to be part of the lead-up to Christmas and make the most of summer on the back deck.

Before we purchased the property, the beer taps, refrigeration and cellar equipment were removed, so reinstating the bar is one of our immediate priorities. “The deck also needs a complete refurbishment, replacing rotten boards and creating a space worthy of a lazy Sunday afternoon.” The commercial kitchen from the previous venue was also largely stripped so Kelly told reporters she is currently exploring food options while work continues on a more permanent kitchen.

“Our current plan is to trade through summer, continue developing detailed plans and securing approvals, then undertake a more substantial stage of renovations next winter,” she added. That said, the brewery itself is a little further away from being operational. “Extensive water damage means it will take considerable time and investment before we’re ready to install a brewing system, so we’ll continue contract brewing until that vision becomes reality.”

Above all, Kelly explained her and Andy hope that once the site is complete, it is a venue that is warm, welcoming and worth travelling for. “We hope people come for high-quality, locally produced craft beer, quality food and genuine hospitality.

We’d love to see events alive again with live music, weddings, community celebrations and touring acts making Mirboo North a regular stop.” “We’re not simply reopening a brewery; we’re helping restore an key piece of Mirboo North’s identity.

It’s a long road ahead, but we’re excited to share every step of the journey and can’t wait to raise a beer with everyone when the doors reopen.”