For Good Beer Week, which runs from May 11 to May 20, the creative minds behind The Munster Arms Hotel are creating a six course meal, with each plate paired with a local brew. 

Exploring the past, present and future of craft beers in the region, the pub has teamed up with well-known breweries Red Duck and the up and coming Cubby Haus Brewing to showcase what Ballarat’s culinary and craft beer scene is all about.  

After attending a number of events at the festival last year, pub proprietor Tamsyn Brooke realised they could get local breweries to work with their chef to create something special. 

“I thought it was incredibly interesting and fun, and at the moment, craft beer is such a big part of the Australian public,” she said. 

“Good Beer Week, even though they’re predominately Melbourne, they’ve really gotten behind us and pushed into supporting regional Victoria. 

“When we opened the pub we wanted to be a free pub, which meant that no companies bought into the pub and no-one owns the lines. So we though this would be a great way as an independent pub to get involved with a big event.”

The pub’s head chef Lyn Brooke is set to draw from local history for her dishes, including a rabbit pie, while also using as much local produce as possible.

Red Duck and Cubby Haus Brewing will each contribute three beers to the spread; one beer representing the craft scene’s yesteryear, a brew encapsulating where it stands now, and one speculating at what the future might hold for Ballarat’s craft beer community. 

“The way we try to describe the food and what will actually be paired to the beers is that it is food like what your Nanna would make,” Tamsyn said. “There’s a lot of flavour, and the beers matched with the food are going to be moreish.

“It’s a little bit eclectic, but the food is always something that you look at and you just want to eat it.”

The Munster Arms Hotel is a true family venture. Born out of years of hospitality venue experience, for the Brooke Family, the focus came back to creating a space which could give back to the Ballarat community. 

“There’s so many small independent companies out there that need support,” Tamsyn said. “We want the pub to be welcoming and inviting … it’s really important to us that we’re part of the community and anything we can do, we’re open to.”

The Munster Arms Hotel degustation lunch, as part of Good Beer Week, will start at 12pm on May 12. More info: goodbeerweek.com.au