Victoria’s Blackman’s Brewery is celebrating a successful first year with plans to can and expand.
“We’ve got plans to expand our packaged range, we’re looking into the canning option,” co-owner Jess Blackman told Beer & Brewer.
“We’ve also been scoping out sites in Geelong for a potential new venue, ‘Blackman’s Brew Bar’ – a small space with our full range of beers available on tap. There are some really exciting things in the works! But most importantly we just want to keep making good beer for good people to drink.”
To mark the one-year anniversary, Blackman’s is releasing an Imperial Smoked Porter, which packs a punch at 9% ABV and 70 IBUs.
“It’s an extremely limited batch and screams flavour at you straight up. Dark chocolate, hints of espresso, woody earth and the right amount of smoky malt. Brewed for our first birthday, this is a big celebration beer and best consumed with your mates,” Blackman said.
The limited release beer will be launched at the brewery in Torquay this Saturday (1 August) where it will be matched to sticky beef ribs and smoked porter brownies. As the brewery’s birthday falls on the same day as Bendigo On The Hop, the Imperial Smoked Porter will also be available at Barzurk, Blackman’s venue for the festival.
“It’s a limited birthday batch, so apart from Blackman’s in Torquay and Bendigo On The Hop it’ll only be on tap at Two Row and Junction Beer Hall at this stage. We’re also hand bottling 150 x 750ml Champagne-style bottles. They’re being released on Saturday but we’re currently taking pre-orders and it’s awesome to see people are already snatching them up!” Blackman said.
Reflecting on the year gone, Blackman said the year turned out better than they could have imagined and was appreciative of the support of locals and the craft beer community.
“It’s been a rollercoaster – so many highlights and so many challenges, complete with blood, sweat and tears! Watching the brewing equipment arrive was absolutely amazing and the first brew made everything worthwhile!” she said.
“Meeting so many locals, tourists and craft beer lovers over the past year has been the best part by far. Also the wider craft beer community is just so awesome to be part of and we really appreciate being part of it.”