One of the biggest success stories from Australia’s craft beer revival over the last fifteen years the has been the Mountain Goat Brewery. Their story is the classic tale of a home brewer and his mate who were inspired by the North American craft beer scene to pursue commercial microbrewing back home in Melbourne.

Mountain Goat beer began in 1997, originally brewing under contract at breweries such as the Scottish Chief brew-pub іn Geelong аnd then аt Grand Ridge іn Mirboo North. They eventually found a home in the city suburb of Richmond and raised the capital to buy a secondhand brewery. In 2004 they claimed their current home, a converted warehouse on North St, which is now a local institution with its brewery bar nights on Wednesdays and Fridays.

The last three years have seen an explosion in Mountain Goat beer and activity, capitalising on their status as forefathers of 21st century Australian craft brewing. Their advancements have included national distribution, the introduction of their Rare Breed releases, international collaborations, a successful entry into the USA beer market and endless events near and far.

Mountain Goat’s first commercially released beer remains their flagship beer, the Hightail Ale – a hybrid English/American Amber ale that has converted countless drinkers to craft beer since it was first released at the Great Britain Hotel in October 1997. Hightail has remained a constant of the Mountain Goat brand since their inception and received a imperial reworking for their 10th anniversary, resulting in Double Hightail. Now, for their 15th birthday, they have upped it again to create Triple Hightail, a 8.3% abv version that will be available in very limited amounts. The sheer weight of the brew limited the amount they were able to produce of this very special birthday beer, even with their brewhouse overflowing during the process.

Next month Mountain Goat celebrate their 15th birthday with a roadshow of parties to say cheers and thank their loyal supporters, friends and beer lovers across the country. [JD]

Media Release

Mountain Goat is about to turn 15 years old. Not sure how we’ve done it, but we’re still intact and we feel the need to celebrate.

First up, Dave has been busy creating a birthday beer – the Triple Hightail, while Cam has been doing his best to put together a short tour of some of our favourite craft beer bars around the country so we can have a beer with our friends. (The very same people who have helped us get to where we are now).

Kicking off Wednesday 10th October where it all started – the Great Britain Hotel in Richmond (the first pub to give us a go back in 1997) we will be visiting 6 states plus the NT.

We’ll have a good line up of Goat kegs with us and a few bottles of Triple Hightail too (we’re only bottling 250 cases of this one).

Would love to see you for a beer along the way. Note: if you want to attend NT event at the Goat Island Lodge, you’ll need a boat (or a helicopter).

Event: Mountain Goat Beer turns 15 – “Let Cam & Dave buy you a beer” party

Dates & Locations:

• Wednesday October 10, 2012 – Great Britain Hotel, Richmond, VIC – 5.30pm start
• Thursday October 11, 2012 – Union Hotel, Newtown, NSW – 6pm start
• Friday October 12, 2012 – Bitter Suite, New Farm, QLD – 6pm start
• Tuesday October 16, 2012 – New Sydney Hotel, Hobart, TAS – 6pm start
• Wednesday October 17, 2012 – Pinnacle, North Fitzroy, VIC – 6pm start
• Thursday October 18, 2012 – Wheatsheaf Hotel, Thebarton, SA – 6pm start
• Friday October 19, 2012 – Clancy’s Fish Pub, Fremantle, WA – 6pm start
• Saturday October 20, 2012 – Goat Island Lodge, NT – 5pm start
• Friday 26th October, 2012 – Mountain Goat Brewery, VIC – 5pm start