Words by Richard Cornish Images supplied
In the heart of Bendigo, under the shadow of the towering spire of the Catholic Cathedral, is an old Salvation Army hall. For years it was decked in the dowdy attire of a finance office. After over a year of renovations, 50 Short Street is home to a vibrant, fun, rowdy bar and brewery called Brewers Collective.
It is the brainchild of four mates who share a love of beer. For years Bendigo boys Brett Davis, Simon Francis, Randall Firli, and Neil Towan would meet in the Goldmines Hotel, drink beer and talk about making beer. Brett Davis had been a keen brewer for years and brewed his first batch for his wedding 23 years ago and has been refining his craft ever since. He won homebrewing competitions before gaining his post-graduate certificate in Brewing and Malting from Federation University in 2018.
The mates started brewing together in Simon Francis’ shed, working out their recipes and doing serious ‘community research’ by putting on hog and hops days where 80 locals would turn up to drink their beer and eat BBQ pork raised on Simon’s wife’s parent’s farm.
Brewers Collective fills the historic building beautifully. The timber floorboards have been stripped back, the brick walls revealed, and the red leather booths used for the Elvis! exhibition have been repurposed for comfortable seating. The team makes eight beers on site, the favourites being the Hazel Junior, a double dry hopped pale ale, the sessional Shorter Street pale ale, and the traditional malty English ale called Uncle Monty.
“Part of our business plan is to support other local businesses, which is why we don’t make and sell food,” says Simon Francis. “Instead, we encourage our customers to order with neighbouring restaurants.” Three popular Bendigo restaurants, namely Jojoe’s Pizza, Mexican Kitchen, and Harpoon Social Club – a fun eatery specialising in modern Japanese dishes.
THE DETAILS
What: Brewery bar around the corner from local restaurants doing takeaway
Who: Avid homebrewers turned pro
Where: 50 Short Street (go to the back of Bendigo’s cathedral, then go down the hill)
When: Opened March 17 and every Thu-Sun
Why: Good beer, good crowd, great city
More Info: Brewers Collective
We wish to acknowledge the Dja Dja Wurrung people as traditional owners of this land and to pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.
