Emilia reviews a small town brewery with surprise Japanese menu

Click PLAY to hear Emilia’s review on 3AW Breakfast

Under 2 hours away from Melbourne in Forrest, Forrest Brewing Company and Forrest General Store line either side of the road. As the name suggests, Forrest was a logging town for a long time, meaning it’s surrounded by vast and tall trees, making it idyllic. In 2005 Forrest had an overhaul from the government where they were granted a mountain biking trail, 65km long which has been luring cyclists ever since. Cycling was considered the saviour of their economy with a two and a half million dollar upgrade last year.

I stumbled upon Forrest on the way to camping with some friends and was struck by the menu, in the middle of nowhere with karaage, teriyaki chicken and poke bowls on the menu. Further to that I was pleasantly surprised when the meals were not just good but great, authentic Japanese flavours.

When I scratched the surface I found they have two Japanese chefs, Yoshi and Ryo who had cooking experience back in Japan before coming over here. So this is not just some slap up pub-try at Japanese but genuine Japanese using authentic methods. With that said, Forrest knows their clientele, visiting cyclists, adventure-lovers, passerby’s to Lorne and Apollo Bay and of course they’re locals. 

Their community board, filled like with fliers like it was 2003, told me everything I needed to know; they are sure to keep some stereotypical brewery melas like fish and chips, roast, burgers and bloody good chips on the menu too.

The owners, Max and Sarah Bradshaw have always been in hospitality but before this they actually had a pedal powered juice business that travelled around to festivals and businesses. He always had a dream of opening a brewery, so he supplemented his home-brewing knowledge with a course.

The owner, Max, mentioned one thing they don’t market well was that they own beef that they grow themselves on their little farm, feeding our cows, spelt grain from the brewing process. They get it butchered at the local butchers in Colac and we use all their own beef; mostly burgers but sometimes steak nights as well. 

So, food. I tried the fried chicken burger, the halloumi fries, the karaage chicken and of course had to try the fries. The stand out for me was the karaage chicken on a bed of rice and cabbage salad. Each item on the menu has a paired beer underneath or you can try the flight of beer but there’s wine and ciders on the menu too. I was so impressed with their gluten free and vegetarian selection too, crediting it to their Melbourne hospitality pasts and they said with Melbourne cyclists coming through they definitely have the demand for it too. They even have gluten free beer in their fridge which is a treat.

Sit outside where they provide knitted blankets for your knees and take in the country air

Max almost mentioned that they’re very well known for their mushroom foraging, given recent circumstances I’m not going to wholeheartedly encourage.

Open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. Dinner’s on Fridays, Saturday nights.

If you’re heading down the Great Ocean Road, are looking for a hike, cycle or even just somewhere to enjoy a pub or Japanese meal with a view, Forrest Brewery ticks as many boxes as there are options. It’s such a delight to happen upon somewhere like this by accident and even more delightful to find such a great story behind it. 

HOT TIP: Whilst you’re there definitely head over to the General Store too, they have a Forrest General Store Cider that is brewed at Bells Brewing as well as gorgeous momentos, soaps, local trinkets that I was thankful my mum wasn’t with us to see.

Forrest Brewery

26 Grant St

Forrest