While the presence of brewers such as Rebellion and Red Duck have put Ballarat on the craft map for a decade now, the city’s latest brewing team are out to further push the taste buds of beer lovers.
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Fiona and Ed Nolle made the move to Ballarat from Melbourne in September last year to access schools for their three daughters, bringing with them Dollar Bill Brewing. The addition follows hot on the heels of Mount Pleasant’s Cubby Haus Brewing and Mair Street brewery Athletic Club opening their doors.
Taking a philosophy more closely aligned with wine or spirits production, Dollar Bill’s beers are aged for between six months to four years in old chardonnay barrels before being blended. Taking inspiration from classic Belgian beer styles, fresh pressed fruit and honey are often used to create the unusual flavours.
Like many commercial brewers, Mr Noelle first learned the craft through home brewing with a friend before going on to work in a bar. From there he developed a passion for abstract flavours based around wild fermentation.
“I think everyone comes to a point where they start to think about yeast as the key to beer,” Mr Noelle said. “Like cheese or wine, you’ve got some certain styles that do well from quick production methods, but other wines and beers can take a long time to age and they end up with more depth and intricacy.”
Since releasing their first beer and cider about six months ago demand has boomed for the small scale brews which are now featured in dozens of restaurants, bars and bottle shops throughout Melbourne and Ballarat.
While the microbrewing operation is currently operating out of established Collingwood brewery Stomping Ground, the couple recently purchased a block of land in Invermay which they hope will one day house a full brewing operation. The new facility will at first operate as a large storage shed for the brewery’s dozens of ageing barrels, however the couple hope to host cellar door events in the future where they can showcase their unusual product.
“We’ve always said we don’t want to make beers for the accountants,” Mrs Noelle said.