Regional Development Victoria recently released the third edition of its guide to Victorian microbreweries. The booklet reveals a vibrant craft-brewing scene of twenty-two brewers concentrated in the east of the state, with one in Mildura to the north west.

While this column covered those within cooee of the Hume Highway and Melbourne earlier this year – at Beechworth, Bright, Rutherglen, Woodend and Dandenong – there’s plenty left to explore in future travels.

There’s an adventurous spirit in these mostly young brewers. And that shows in the extraordinary diversity and individuality on tap – from the most delicate, pale wheat beers to the biggest, burliest stouts.

And, like wine, the best place to discover them is at cellar door where you can chat to the brewer and taste the whole range.

The booklet, The Beer Lovers’ Guide to Victoria’s Microbreweries, is available free from Information Victoria, phone 1300 366 356 or www.information.vic.gov.au

Copyright © Chris Shanahan 2007