Two Birds Brewing celebrates fifth birthday

By Vanessa Cavasinni, editor Australian Hotelier

Two Birds Brewing, the much-lauded craft brewery from Jayne Lewis and Danielle Allen, will celebrate five years of operations on 13 June, with specially-made ‘Birthday Brews’ to be sold in selected venues across the country.

Jayne Lewis (left) and Danielle Allen.

The celebrations began last month when Two Birds Brewing was named Champion Medium Australian Brewery at the Australian International Beer Awards (AIBA), but will begin in earnest on 13 June, when the brewery will celebrate five years of success with $5 schooners of its flagship beers, Golden Ale and Sunset Ale, at specific venues nation-wide until 19 June. In addition, Lewis and Allen have each brewed their own individual ‘Birthday Brew’ which will be tapped in the partner venues until sold out.

“We wanted to mark the occasion by giving something back to the people that have supported us over the past five years,” said Allen.

For her birthday brew, Allen has created the PX Belgian Dubbel, inspired by Pedro Ximenez, the sweet, dark sherry. The beer was fermented with three Belgian yeast strains, and Allen added raisins, muscatel grapes, cinnamon quills, ground cloves and toasted French oak.

Lewis’ beer, the G&T IPA is representative of the flavours and botanicals of the classic gin and tonic, one of her favourite drinks. Lewis added juniper berries, pepperberries, angelica root and coriander seed to the brew, and added the taste of tonic through the use of cinchona bark, allspice and grapefruit peel.

Since launching the brand in 2011, Two Bird Brewing sales have grown by 30 per cent year on year – now brewing more than 700,000 litres of beer per annum. Allen says that the popularity of their beers have exceeded their expectations.

“When we first out contract brewing in 2011, we had a five year plan to be operating our own brewery. We were able to open the doors to ‘The Nest’ – our brewery and tasting room in Spotswood, Melbourne in June 2014, after three years. The way our beers have been embraced by beer drinkers has been very encouraging and worthwhile.”

Lewis also credits some of their success to the growing popularity of craft beer.

“While overall beer consumption is in decline, it’s fantastic to see craft beer kicking the trend and to see the growth in the volume of craft beer. It’s an exciting time to be involved in the craft beer industry, as beer lovers shift towards craft beers produced by smaller players.”

As for the next five years, Allen says that Two Birds definitely have more goals which they wish to achieve.

“We definitely have plans that revolve our beer portfolio. We want to cement our flagship beers and get them into more venues across the country, while also looking at some more experimental brews.”

The Two Birds Brewing ‘Birthday Brews’ and $5 schooner deals will be available at the following venues: