If towns do not have a natural tourist attraction, the solution is to make one. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Rural City of Wangaratta. Boorhaman, a tiny one pub township, 15 minutes north of Wangaratta, has caused a storm with its home brewed beer and the results are flowing in.
Buffalo Bitter Beer is made at Len and Sandra David’s Boorhaman Hotel, and now Boorhaman is emerging as the new tourist destination of the North East.
The brew only went into production last Easter and in just a few short months it has become the darling of the hops loving set. In late June, the unique tasting bitter won a silver medal at the Liquorland Australia International Beer Awards held in Melbourne.
“When we started making the beer, it was with the idea of putting Boorhaman on the map,” said Len David. “This Award will go a long way towards helping with this.”
The Davids entered their product in the ‘Small Breweries’ section, and were competing against 32 other brewers from Australia and New Zealand. According to the owners, Buffalo Breweries is the smallest brewer ‘by a mile’ to enter the competition. It follows the trail set by dozens of other operators in the Municipality, who are producing wines and gourmet produce in a bid to develop a niche market in the competitive world of tourism.
“Their efforts typify what it means to take the initiative,” said John Green, Economic Development Manager at the Rural City of Wangaratta. “Developing small operators is what will make this region unique. To maintain any sort of marketing edge, we must look for, and explore the options.”
The Rural City is carving a name for itself as a fantastic gourmet food region. With a significant number of wineries, including Brown Brothers Vineyard and Auldstone Cellars, there is also the Milawa Cheese Factory, Milawa Mustards, and many others. With Buffalo Bitter adding to the list, Council believes the key is to keep growing.
For further information contact Roz Hogg, Tourism Officer telephone (057) 215 711.
