BEECHWORTH is now home to Australia's first beer micronation.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Bridge Road Brewers is taking a stand against the global beer production giants by declaring its independence from Australia and creating the first beer micronation - Brewland.
Bridge Road Brewers founder Ben Kraus said he was frustrated by multinational corporations controlling Australia's popular pubs, bars and bottle shops through tap contracts and supply deals.
"The multinational beer giants have been systematically dumbing down one of our nation's most revered crafts - beer brewing," he said.
"We didn't want it to come to this - but have made the decision to break away from Australia in a bid to protect our beer."
Mr Kraus said Bridge Road Brewers' branding would not change and Brewland simply related to its Bridge Road brewery venue.
"Brewland will be a place where beer flavour and quality comes first," he said.
"Where creativity and innovation can thrive and it's more than okay to be a little bit weird.
"It's about driving consumer awareness of independent brewers and it was the biggest lever we could find."
Brewland will be officially launched during the Queen's Birthday weekend, which coincides with Bridge Road Brewers' 14th birthday.
Brewland will have its own signage on the brewery's boundaries and a national flag.
Bridge Road Brewers is asking people to show their support for independent brewing and become a Brewland citizen online at visitbrewland.beer.
- Receive our daily newsletter straight to your inbox each morning from The Border Mail. Sign up here