Blizzard Brewing Company will be the country’s highest altitude brewery when it launches in the Victorian Alps early next year, according to its founder.

Blizzard will be located in Dinner Plain, at an altitude of 1550 metres above sea level.The brewery site at 5 Cattle Pen Drive is 50 metres from the Cobungra ski lift and 10 kilometres from the ski lifts of Mt Hotham.

Founder Mark Hubbard comes to the brewing industry from a business background and as an accomplished skier and lover of alpine environments.

Most recently he was interim CEO at Falls Creek Resort Management, and prior to that, CFO for IT services company UXC.

“I was born and bred in Colorado, skied professionally there including as a ski instructor in Aspen, and have embraced the alpine culture here since moving to Australia over 30 years ago,” he told Australian Brews News.

“The Rocky Mountains hashad breweries in the major ski resorts for some time. I think it is high time Australia has breweries associated with ski resorts, brewing with the freshest, purest water available.We will be the only brewer to source water from high altitude snow melt aquifers.”

Planning permits are approved for the brewery and its liquor licence application is currently in progress, expected for approval by December.

The company has recently appointed a head brewer in Alan Sheppard, who co-founded Edge Brewing in Barcelona – voted #1 Top New Brewer in the World by RateBeer in 2014.

Blizzard has sourced a 12-hectolitre brewhouse from Premier Stainless with associated fermenting vessels and bright beer tanks.

“Our brewer Alan Sheppard has vast experience with this equipment,” said Hubbard.

Hubbard said Blizzard will have a taproom pouring its beers for visitors along with snacks showcasing local produce.

“Our taproom is planned to feature an observation deck over the brewhouse floor that is suspended from the roof beams – something unique as far as I can tell,” he said.

“We will also feature art on the walls by notable Australian and overseas artists, for resale.”

Blizzard also aims to supply food and beverage operators in local Alpine areas as well as regionally into the Kiewa, Ovens, King and Cobungra River valleys and beyond.

“We are planning to install and commission the brewhouse in January, with a grand opening in Easter 2016,” said Hubbard.