Hi, we’re Andy and Kelly McCarthy. 

We have recently decided to purchase and renovate a 100 year old butter factory (and the former Grand Ridge Brewery) in our home town of Mirboo North, Gippsland.

Our vision is to restore this abandoned building and turn it into a contemporary micro-brewery, restaurant, taphouse, live music and conference centre.

First established in 1926, this 3,000m2 building was the hub of our community for decades. It was converted into one of Australia’s first craft breweries in 1987, and went on to become the world’s most awarded craft brewery, winning over 250 Australian and international awards.

At its peak, the brewery was running 24 hours a day. The bar, restaurant, function centre and live music venue were packed to the rafters. Some of the biggest names in Australian music played here, and almost everyone we know in the area (and their children) worked here at some stage.

The brewery went into liquidation recently, and it’s been awful to watch this incredible place fall apart. The whole roof is leaking and the building is full of mould and broken appliances.  The existing brewery infrastructure has been completely gutted, as has the music hall, bar and kitchen. The beer taps and refrigeration systems have also been stripped out, and the road back will be incredibly challenging (and expensive!). 

But the building has incredible potential, and is perfectly located at the starting point of the Grand Ridge Rail Trail in the Strzelecki Ranges. 

Our vision is to turn this precinct into the premier tourist destination for regional Victoria, attracting tens of thousands of visitors every year, and breathing new life back into our local tourism sector and our local economy.

We’re terrified and excited at what lies ahead, but the community outpouring of love and support has been overwhelming.

Follow our journey and see if we can pull it off. 

You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok - @grandridgeproject

Grand Ridge Project

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Grand Ridge Project

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