Bridge Road has just bottled their latest release, a Summer Ale. The catch is, it’s exclusively available to members of the brewery’s Posse.

The Posse, Bridge Road Brewers’ beer loyalty club, has been running for a little over three years and was modelled on a program used in the local wine industry for developing customer loyalty. The Posse gives its members the chance to get a little bit of Beechworth delivered direct to their door, up to 6 times a year for thirstier members. Posse members are based around the country, with some as far away as northern Queensland.

Members list their preferences on styles or flavours and the brewery makes up a pack to suit their preferences. Members also receive discounts at the brewery, get ‘looked after’ at beer events and invites to happenings at the brewery. Benefits also include first option on limited or new release beers, including their popular annual freshly-hopped beers brewed once each year and Galaxy single hop IPA.

The Posse has now grown to the point Bridge it warrants brewing a batch exclusively for posse members, with the the Posse Summer Ale being the result. The brewery is also considering a Posse winter ale.

This year’s Summer Ale is a pale Belgian ale weighing in at 4.5% abv. It has been developed as an easy drinking summer beer with a difference, using a basic malt recipe of Australian Pale malts and 2 different Belgian yeast strains.

“The result is a mild beer with minimal bitterness and a fruity finish from the yeast strains,” the brewery says.

“The plan was to assess the beer after primary ferment and then decide on a hop regime for dry hopping. We have so far added Centennial and Amarillo hops from the US and also dumped in some Nelson Sauvin from NZ.”

The Posse Summer Ale has now been bottled, with members due to receive their Posse pack at the end of the month.

Want some? You’d better join the Posse.

www.bridgeroadbrewers.com.au

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