Our Story

The Bridge Road story begins in the year 2000 when young Beechworth native Ben Kraus, packed his bags for Europe to learn more about the world and the art of making wine. Along the way, he got distracted on the ski slopes of Austria, met his wife Maria and ended up working at a traditional microbrewery in Innsbruck.

Winemaking quickly took the back seat, and Ben returned home a brewer (with Maria), determined to bring some quality to what was, for the most part, a bland beer scene in Australia.

Come 2005; the couple were just 25 years old when they opened the first iteration of the brewery in Ben's dad's shed on Bridge Road, Beechworth. It was a microbrewery in every sense with a 10HL brewery, bar, tasting room, and a bottling line all crammed into the tiny space. But it was clear Ben and Maria were on a winner and the brewery quickly outgrew its original location.

In 2006, the doors opened at the current home in Beechworth. It’s here that Ben and Maria’s vision came to life The brewery has grown to employ 40 staff (predominantly in Beechworth) who all share a passion for that vision.

In 2024, Bridge Road's Beechworth HQ features a 340 seat taproom, pizzeria, and a 25HL brewhouse. 

Late last year they opened their first outpost beyond Beechworth, a 300+ seat brewery and dining hall in East Brunswick, in Melbourne's inner-North.

You'll find Bridge Road beer gracing taps, fridges, and eskies from Bermagui to Bangkok - Any place that sells great beer.

Bridge Road's success, built on a foundation of hard work by Ben and Maria, is a reflection of their strong values - The importance of independence, authenticity + quality.