Mountain Goat Beer
Encyclopedia
Mountain Goat Beer is a microbrewery
in Richmond
, Victoria, Australia
. The brewery was founded in 1996 by Cam Hines and Dave Bonighton, who continue to manage the company. Their first commercial brew, Hightale Ale, was released in October 1997. Over 90 licenced venues supply their beers on tap throughout Victoria, mainly concentrated in the inner Melbourne
suburbs, and their retail distribution extends to every state and territory in Australia.
In 2011, the brewery began exporting to the West Coast of the United States - initially with the Double Hightail Ale and a re-work of their IPA, renamed for the US market as Australian Pale Ale.
Mountain Goat beers have found success at the Australian International Beer Awards and the brewery has been awarded the Premier's Trophy for Best Victorian Beer three times: twice for the Surefoot Stout (in 2004 and 2006), and most recently (in 2009) for Rapunzel.
Mountain Goat Beer remains independent, with approximately 12 shareholders - largely friends and family of its founders. The brewery's turnover now exceeds A$1,000,000 per annum and it employs approximately 12 full-time staff.
; friend and fellow founder Cam Hines was travelling throughout Canada when he was struck by the range of micro-brewed beer available at various bars in Vancouver. Seeing the possibilities for a microbrewery in his hometown in Melbourne, Cam contacted Dave, suggesting they open a brewery.
By September 1996, Mountain Goat beer was ready to taste-test three beers - The Leroy Brown Ale, Sheik-It-Out Stout and Golden Boy - at a gallery space in Melbourne. The success of this venture suggested the original idea might be viable.
Lacking the money to invest in their own brewery, the first Mountain Goat beers were brewed using excess capacity first at the Scottish Chief brew-pub in Geelong and then at the larger Grand Ridge microbrewery in Mirboo North
Victoria and in October 1997, Hightale Ale was commercially released.
By 1999, the brewery was able to raise funds to move to their original premesis in Crown St, Richmond, effectively relocating the equipment from the defunct brewing operations at the Geebung Polo Club in Hawthorn, Victoria
.
At the end of 2004, Mountain Goat beer moved to the much larger current premesis, in North St, Richmond. The North St site is around 1200m2: a little over three times the size of the older brewery. In October, 2011, the brewery upgraded its brewing operation with the purchase of a brand new 25 hectolitre system from Canadian manufacturer, DME.
As with an increasing number of microbreweries in Australia, the brewery is open to the public two nights a week, with a licence allowing them to sell liquor on-site. Their liquor also licence allows them to operate as a private function venue. Brewery tours are also offered.
The brewery has been widely promoted as a tourism attraction and has been featured in the Victorian Government's Beer Lover’s Guide to Victoria’s Microbreweries publication and in television travel shows.
Moving to new premises in 2004 gave the company the opportunity to set up up the brewery with the environment in mind, from using recycled materials in their fit-out through to installation of solar panels and an 11,000 litre rainwater tank.
Their seven solar panels came at cost of $15,000 (with the aid of a 50% government grant) and can pre-heat brewing water to around 55 °C, reducing the use of mains power, and it is estimated the brewery's use of collected rainwater saves approximately 250,000 litres of water annually.
The brewery also pH neutralises waste water and have all but eliminated steam and odour emissions that are a by-product of the brewing process.
The company operates an incentive scheme encouraging their staff to cycle to work as part of their environmental program. Each staff member is given a $200 subsidy each year for bike maintenance and equipment; and a further bonus of $1.50 for each day they ride to work, paid as part of the annual Christmas bonus.
The regularly brewed beers are available in 50 litre kegs and also packaged in 330 millilitre brown glass bottles - or stubbies - for retail sale. In turn, their stubbies are available packaged in lots of six in an open cardboard one piece carton, with carry-handle (known as a six pack). Four six packs may also be purchased in a closed cardboard carton (known in Australia as a slab).
Seasonal and one-off beers are available in 50 litre kegs and often bottled in longneck bottles (known as Rare Breed releases) - which are 640ml.
forms.
The beer won the Trophy for Best Draught Ale at the 2000 Australian International Beer Awards (as well as a Gold medal) and has been awarded silver medals in 2011, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2003, 2002 and 2000; bronze medals in 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005, 2003, 2002 and 2001.
Hightail Ale has an alcohol content by volume of 4.5%.
(replacing the India Pale Ale and Pale Ale in the regular line-up).
Steam Ale is a California Commons-style ale. Like the India Pale Ale before it, it is certified organic. It has an alcohol content by volume of 4.5%.
Steam Ale won two silver medals at the 2011 Australian International Beer Awards and a bronze medal in 2010.
Surefoot Stout has twice been named winner of the Best Victorian Beer at the Australian International Beer Awards (2004 and 2006). The beer was also Best In Class (gold medal) at the 2002 Awards, won a gold medals in 2010 and 2009, a silver medal in 2003 and bronze medals in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
The Surefoot has an alcohol content by volume of 5.0%.
The second version, released in November 2010 in 640ml bottles, had an alcohol content by volume of 6.2%
The IPA won a silver medal at the 2011 Australian International Beer Awards.
The Double Hightail Ale has an alcohol content by volume of between 6.8 and 7.2% (depending on batch).
, and was sold in both bottles and on tap until July 2009 when it was announced it would be replaced by the organic Steam Ale.
Pale Ale was a consistent medal winner at the Australian International Beer Awards, picking up silver medals in 2008, 2006, 2004 and 2001; bronze medals in 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2002 and 2001.
Pale Ale had an alcohol content by volume of 4.5%.
The original India Pale Ale was awarded a silver medal at the Australian International Beer Awards in 2008, with bronze medals being awarded in 2008, 2006 and 2003.
The original India Pale Ale had an alcohol content by volume of 5.0%.
Microbrewery
A microbrewery or craft brewer is a brewery which produces a limited amount of beer, and is associated by consumers with innovation and uniqueness....
in Richmond
Richmond, Victoria
Richmond is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Yarra...
, Victoria, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. The brewery was founded in 1996 by Cam Hines and Dave Bonighton, who continue to manage the company. Their first commercial brew, Hightale Ale, was released in October 1997. Over 90 licenced venues supply their beers on tap throughout Victoria, mainly concentrated in the inner Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
suburbs, and their retail distribution extends to every state and territory in Australia.
In 2011, the brewery began exporting to the West Coast of the United States - initially with the Double Hightail Ale and a re-work of their IPA, renamed for the US market as Australian Pale Ale.
Mountain Goat beers have found success at the Australian International Beer Awards and the brewery has been awarded the Premier's Trophy for Best Victorian Beer three times: twice for the Surefoot Stout (in 2004 and 2006), and most recently (in 2009) for Rapunzel.
Mountain Goat Beer remains independent, with approximately 12 shareholders - largely friends and family of its founders. The brewery's turnover now exceeds A$1,000,000 per annum and it employs approximately 12 full-time staff.
History
The origins of Mountain Goat Beer go back to the early 1990s, when founder Dave Bonighton was home-brewing in his backyard in Elsternwick, VictoriaElsternwick, Victoria
Elsternwick is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 9 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Glen Eira...
; friend and fellow founder Cam Hines was travelling throughout Canada when he was struck by the range of micro-brewed beer available at various bars in Vancouver. Seeing the possibilities for a microbrewery in his hometown in Melbourne, Cam contacted Dave, suggesting they open a brewery.
By September 1996, Mountain Goat beer was ready to taste-test three beers - The Leroy Brown Ale, Sheik-It-Out Stout and Golden Boy - at a gallery space in Melbourne. The success of this venture suggested the original idea might be viable.
Lacking the money to invest in their own brewery, the first Mountain Goat beers were brewed using excess capacity first at the Scottish Chief brew-pub in Geelong and then at the larger Grand Ridge microbrewery in Mirboo North
Mirboo North, Victoria
Mirboo North is a town in Victoria, Australia, located east of Melbourne, with a population of 2688. It is in the South Gippsland Shire local government area....
Victoria and in October 1997, Hightale Ale was commercially released.
By 1999, the brewery was able to raise funds to move to their original premesis in Crown St, Richmond, effectively relocating the equipment from the defunct brewing operations at the Geebung Polo Club in Hawthorn, Victoria
Hawthorn, Victoria
Hawthorn is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Boroondara...
.
At the end of 2004, Mountain Goat beer moved to the much larger current premesis, in North St, Richmond. The North St site is around 1200m2: a little over three times the size of the older brewery. In October, 2011, the brewery upgraded its brewing operation with the purchase of a brand new 25 hectolitre system from Canadian manufacturer, DME.
The brewery
The Mountain Goat brewery operates out of a converted red brick warehouse in the inner-city suburb of Richmond. The site is home to the brewing operation as well as sales, administrative and management staff.As with an increasing number of microbreweries in Australia, the brewery is open to the public two nights a week, with a licence allowing them to sell liquor on-site. Their liquor also licence allows them to operate as a private function venue. Brewery tours are also offered.
The brewery has been widely promoted as a tourism attraction and has been featured in the Victorian Government's Beer Lover’s Guide to Victoria’s Microbreweries publication and in television travel shows.
Environmental credentials
Mountain Goat brewery has taken many steps to reduce - and in some cases eliminate - their impact on the environment.Moving to new premises in 2004 gave the company the opportunity to set up up the brewery with the environment in mind, from using recycled materials in their fit-out through to installation of solar panels and an 11,000 litre rainwater tank.
Their seven solar panels came at cost of $15,000 (with the aid of a 50% government grant) and can pre-heat brewing water to around 55 °C, reducing the use of mains power, and it is estimated the brewery's use of collected rainwater saves approximately 250,000 litres of water annually.
The brewery also pH neutralises waste water and have all but eliminated steam and odour emissions that are a by-product of the brewing process.
The company operates an incentive scheme encouraging their staff to cycle to work as part of their environmental program. Each staff member is given a $200 subsidy each year for bike maintenance and equipment; and a further bonus of $1.50 for each day they ride to work, paid as part of the annual Christmas bonus.
Beers
All Mountain Goat beers are vegan friendly (no animal products are used in their production), and free from preservatives and additives.The regularly brewed beers are available in 50 litre kegs and also packaged in 330 millilitre brown glass bottles - or stubbies - for retail sale. In turn, their stubbies are available packaged in lots of six in an open cardboard one piece carton, with carry-handle (known as a six pack). Four six packs may also be purchased in a closed cardboard carton (known in Australia as a slab).
Seasonal and one-off beers are available in 50 litre kegs and often bottled in longneck bottles (known as Rare Breed releases) - which are 640ml.
Hightail Ale
Hightail Ale was the first beer released commercially by Mountain Goat (in 1997). Hightail is an English-style ale available in bottle conditioned and draughtDraught beer
Draught beer is beer served from a cask or a pressurised keg.-History of draught:Until Joseph Bramah patented the beer engine in 1785, beer was served directly from the barrel and carried to the customer. The Old English word for carry was dragen which developed into a series of related words,...
forms.
The beer won the Trophy for Best Draught Ale at the 2000 Australian International Beer Awards (as well as a Gold medal) and has been awarded silver medals in 2011, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2003, 2002 and 2000; bronze medals in 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005, 2003, 2002 and 2001.
Hightail Ale has an alcohol content by volume of 4.5%.
(organic) Steam Ale
On 3 July 2009 Mountain Goat announced the launch of their Steam AleSteam beer
Steam beer may be defined as a highly effervescent beer made by brewing lager yeasts at warm fermentation temperatures. It has two distinct but related meanings:*Historic steam beer produced in California from the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century;...
(replacing the India Pale Ale and Pale Ale in the regular line-up).
Steam Ale is a California Commons-style ale. Like the India Pale Ale before it, it is certified organic. It has an alcohol content by volume of 4.5%.
Steam Ale won two silver medals at the 2011 Australian International Beer Awards and a bronze medal in 2010.
One-off and seasonal beers (bottled)
One-off and season beers are known as 'Rare Breed' releases. Small batches, generally only available for a few months.Surefoot Stout
Surefoot Stout was the third beer commercially released by the brewery. Surefoot is a seasonal beer, brewed through autumn and winter. Sold in 330ml bottles until 2009, it was first sold in 650ml bottles in June 2010.Surefoot Stout has twice been named winner of the Best Victorian Beer at the Australian International Beer Awards (2004 and 2006). The beer was also Best In Class (gold medal) at the 2002 Awards, won a gold medals in 2010 and 2009, a silver medal in 2003 and bronze medals in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
The Surefoot has an alcohol content by volume of 5.0%.
India Pale Ale (new)
Available in the summer months, the new Mountain Goat India Pale Ale was first sold in 650ml bottles in January 2010. It had an alcohol content by volume of 5.7%.The second version, released in November 2010 in 640ml bottles, had an alcohol content by volume of 6.2%
The IPA won a silver medal at the 2011 Australian International Beer Awards.
Double Hightail Ale
First released in late September 2011 and based on the brewery's flagship Hightail Ale, with a higher alcohol content.The Double Hightail Ale has an alcohol content by volume of between 6.8 and 7.2% (depending on batch).
One-off and seasonal beers (tap)
The brewery rotates a series of "one-off" brews, generally only available on-site, at the brewery's own bar, but occasionally available both on tap at select outlets. Examples of these limited run brews have been:- India Pale Ale (New) An American style IPA
- Old Surefoot (an aged Surefoot Stout)
- Bigfoot (a higher alcohol version of the regular Surefoot Stout)
- Double India Pale Ale - winner of a bronze medal at the 2009 Australian International Beer Awards
- Rapunzel (a Belgian-style strong blonde) - winner of the 2009 Premier's Trophy (and a gold medal) for Best Victorian Beer at the Australian International Beer Awards
- Dunken (a dunkelweizen - or dark wheat beer) - winner of a silver medal at the 2010 Australian International Beer Awards
- Fancy Pants (a highly hopped amber ale) - winner of a bronze medal at the 2009 Australian International Beer Awards
- Goldilocks (a late-hopped English style summer ale)
- The Hoeff (a hefeweizen - German style wheat beerWheat beerWheat beer is a beer that is brewed with a large proportion of wheat. Wheat beers often also contain a significant proportion of malted barley. Wheat beers are usually top-fermented...
) - Double Hightail Ale (a variation of the standard Hightail Ale, stronger in alcohol)
- Kölsch
- Riwaka Pale (a pale ale using New ZealandNew ZealandNew Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
Riwaka [D Saaz] hops and Vienna and Munich malts) - Oaked Rapunzel (a Belgian-style strong blonde, matured for nine months in an oak chardonnay barrel)
- Imperial Pilsner (brewed with Pilsner and Light Munich malts and Czech Saaz hops - 7.5% alc/vol)
- Bubble & Squeak (a hybrid ale brewed with eight malts and four different hops)
- Skipping Girl (a Summer Ale brewed with 30% wheat malt and using Nelson Sauvin and Motueka hops)
- Rye India Pale Ale (an India Pale Ale brewed with rye malt)
- The Craig (an American Pale Ale using Willamette hops)
- Cucumber Sandwich (a summer ale infused with cucumber and made with various NZ hops)
- Winter Oaky Porter (a porter using six different malts and fermented with French Oak chips)
- Helles To The Yeah (A strong Helles - or light [coloured] German lager)
Collaborations
Beers made in collaboration with other breweries (known as 'Cross Breed' releases).- Richard III (a doppelbock, or strong, malty bock, brewed in collaboration with the Wig & Pen Brewery in Canberra).
- The Thorny Goat (a black India Pale Ale brewed in collaboration with ThornbridgeThornbridge Brewery-History:The first beers appeared in February 2005 and have won many awards.Thornbridge's beers were originally brewed by Martin Dickie, a graduate of the International Centre for Distilling and Brewing at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh and Stefano Cossi, a graduate in Food Science and...
Brewery from the UK). Released in March 2011 in 640ml longneck bottles. Winner of a bronze medal at the 2011 Australian International Beer Awards. - Abbey Collabey (a Belgian Dubbel with Waffles & Raisins, brewed in collaboration with Moondog Brewery and CUB).
- Three Golden Goats (a golden ale made to the recipe of Christchurch, New Zealand brewery, Three Brothers Brewing's Golden Ale, to raise money for the Christchurch Earthquake2011 Christchurch earthquakeThe February 2011 Christchurch earthquake was a magnitude 6.3 earthquake that struck the Canterbury region in New Zealand's South Island at on local time , The earthquake was centred west of the town of Lyttelton, and south-east of the centre of Christchurch, New Zealand's second-most populous...
relief fund). - Seedy Goat (an IPA brewed with the addition of coffee beans, made in collaboration with Melbourne coffee roasters, Seven Seeds). Released in 640ml longneck bottles in August, 2011.
Pale Ale
Mountain Goat's second beer, the Pale Ale was a golden, full-strength pale alePale ale
Pale ale is a beer which uses a warm fermentation and predominantly pale malt. It is one of the world's major beer styles.The higher proportion of pale malts results in a lighter colour. The term "pale ale" was being applied around 1703 for beers made from malts dried with coke, which resulted in a...
, and was sold in both bottles and on tap until July 2009 when it was announced it would be replaced by the organic Steam Ale.
Pale Ale was a consistent medal winner at the Australian International Beer Awards, picking up silver medals in 2008, 2006, 2004 and 2001; bronze medals in 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2002 and 2001.
Pale Ale had an alcohol content by volume of 4.5%.
India Pale Ale (Original)
Australia's first 100% certified organic beer, the IPA began life in 2002 as a seasonal (summer months) brew, before joining the regular line-up. In July 2009, it was announced that the original IPA would be re-vamped and once again only sold seasonally in larger 650ml longneck bottles.The original India Pale Ale was awarded a silver medal at the Australian International Beer Awards in 2008, with bronze medals being awarded in 2008, 2006 and 2003.
The original India Pale Ale had an alcohol content by volume of 5.0%.