Slowly but surely, the region around Geelong and the Surf Coast is becoming one that’s home to a fine and diverse array of locally brewed craft beer. There’s a growing number of breweries and brewing companies based there and, while the big breweries still dominate most venues, we’re starting to see more taps and fridge space turned over to independents too.
One of the first to start flying the flag in the region was the Odyssey Tavern in Mount Duneed. Originally opened by Grant Byrne in 2012, when he took on a quirkily landscaped venue at the side of the Surf Coast Highway that had previously been home to all manner of businesses – Italian restaurant; run of the mill bar; ice cream factory – but was by then sitting empty and in serious need of love.
The requisite inject of love was delivered, with eight taps installed pouring nothing but craft beer and a well stocked fridge behind it focusing on independent Aussie breweries. Quickly, it drew a crowd, taking advantage of a seriously untapped desire for better beer on the Surf Coast.
The Odyssey Tavern was the culmination of a long held dream for Grant, one that took him and his wife around Australia visiting as many craft breweries and beer bars as they could to crystallise what they liked into their own venue. What that translates to – other than the wide selection of beers – is a range of beer-friendly food, including pizzas named after hop varieties and with beer pairings suggested on the menu, live music several times a week, a laid-back vibe and occasional beer events featuring guest brewers too.
Originally, the plan was to build a brewery at the rear of the venue too although when the first Odyssey beer appeared it was one that had been brewed under license for them. Designed by Grant and his then employee Matt Cuthbert (who has since departed to become a senior brewer for Rocks in Sydney), the Calypso Pale Ale was soon winning fans with its punchy tropical kick, particularly at the annual Great Australian Beer Festival in Geelong, where it’s grabbed a few People’s Choice gongs, and in the annual Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers countdown, becoming the first Geelong region beer to poll.
With hindsight, trying to squeeze a small brewery into the space that had been earmarked at the rear of the Tavern would have proved a short term fix as demand would soon have outstripped what could have been produced on whatever tiny system was installed. Instead, a solution has arisen that serves Odyssey’s needs to a tee.
Barabool Brewing Company, which produces the Cockies range of beers, opened a short drive away and has now become the place where all Odyssey beers are produced. And given Barabool won Best New Exhibitor at the Australian International Beer Awards in the first year its beers were entered, you know it’s a system capable of producing cracking beers.
You can read more about the brewing side of Odyssey here. Alternatively, you can head to the place where it all started as four of the eight taps at the Tavern now pour Odyssey beers, with the Calypso having been joined by a Beach Ale in the permanent lineup Apocalypso Double IPA, Polyphemus ESR (Extra Special Red) and regulars seasonals including a Coffee Stout and one-offs too.
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