Who Brews Australia's Highest Beers?

July 19, 2016, by Crafty Pint

Who Brews Australia's Highest Beers?

If there's one brewery above all others that won't be struggling to keep its beers chilled this winter it's Blizzard Brewing Company. Tagged "Australia's highest brewery", it opened in the Victorian alps in March, located next to a ski lift in the popular winter destination of Dinner Plain.

The brewery launched with a pair of beers – a simple, malt led Kolsch style ale and an American-inspired Pale Ale that borders on amber territory, both of which were canned from the off. Joining those since have been a couple of lagers, an amber, IPA and stout.

Overseeing brewing is the well-travelled Chris Haren, who's previously popped up at the likes of Tooborac Brewery and Rogue Wave on the Surf Coast, while the man with the plan is American Mark Hubbard (pictured above), who is looking to recreate the sort of experience you can readily enjoy in the Rocky Mountains. 

We figured that, as they're getting stuck into their first winter season, what better time to find out a bit more about Blizzard via one of our Who Brews... Q&A's?


Mark Hubbard outside his Dinner Plain brewpub, Blizzard. Photo by Charlie Brown.

Brewery name: Blizzard Brewing Company

Where do you brew? Dinner Plain, Victoria, at an altitude of 1550 metres.

Why do you brew? 
To bring the Rocky Mountain alpine resort experience to the Australian alpine scene – ski resorts with local breweries.

What beers have you released to date?
Powder Pale Ale, Brandy Creek Kolsch, 1550 Lager, Avalanche Amber Ale, Ice Horse IPA, Summit Stout, Lavender Lager.

What’s the inspiration behind the brewery name?
We brew with snowmelt – the only brewer in Australia able to source fresh, pure spring water direct from high country aquifers. 

Was there a beer or a moment that set you on the path to becoming a brewer?
Missing a truly local beer after having a great ski or bike ride in the high country.

What beers are in your fridge right now?
Besides Blizzards, not enough craft. Some Hawkers, Bullant, Bridge Road and Bright Brewery.

Photo by Charlie Brown.

What would be your desert island beer?
A Blizzard, naturally, to cool off with.

If your brewery was a band, who would it be?
Firefall – a 1970s rock band from Boulder, Colorado. [And still touring today]

Where do you hope your brewery will be ten years from now?
Brewing enough Liquid Powder so that anyone in Australia that wants one can get one easily.

Where can people find your beers?
Dinner Plain, Mt Hotham, Falls Creek, Melbourne, Gippsland and up and down the Hume, Ovens and Kiewa.


Thanks, Mark. You'll find Blizzard Brewing Company adjacent to the Cobungra ski lift, 10km from Mt Hotham.

Head here to check out past Who Brews...? features, which typically focus on new Australian breweries.

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