Market Masterpiece

The Bridge Road story

At the start of the millennium, Ben Kraus jetted off to Europe to learn the art of winemaking. Instead, he fell in love with his wife Maria, and a traditional microbrewery in Innsbruck. Soon after, Ben returned home a brewer, determined to leave his mark on the Australian beer scene. By 2006, the couple opened the doors of Bridge Road Brewers in Beechworth, which now employs 40 staff who all share a passion for good brews.

Ben and Maria's favourite things

When the couple aren’t busy quenching the thirst of tourists and locals alike, they love getting outdoors and exploring their area and dining at local restaurants. 

• Mountain biking on local trails or walking and jogging along the cascades at Beechworth Gorge.

• Visiting the ski fields at Mount Hotham and Falls Creek or taking a dip at Lake Sambell and lazing around at Sandy Beech.
• Dining on food prepared by chef Michael Ryan at Provenance, visiting popular cafe, Project 49 or enjoying a bevvy at Barking Owl Distillery.

Deli Indulgence

When spring arrives, Mark takes the time to walk. "The sun is sharp and nature offers up its colours again," he says at this time of year. "It's not quite warm enough to be out all day, so a stroll through the deli section of a market is just the thing."

"My cover shows the energy of first laying eyes on the rich larder of Queen Victoria Market. This cover is also a confession. I'm a deli fanatic, I can't even do carbs with cheese. It has to be straight. Cheese is good in the bath; it's better in bed. I call that horizontal decadence."

T

he story of Melbourne coffee walks alongside the history of the city. In the 1830s the temperance movement needed to attract patrons away from the pubs. Ornate ‘coffee palaces’ offered the hotel experience, sans  alcohol. Today’s Hotel Windsor served as the 400-room Grand Coffee Palace between 1886 and 1897. On the streets outside, coffee stalls began servicing the city’s on-the-move workers.

But our real caffeine kick came with the immigration boom of World War II. Craving a taste of home, Italians brought espresso coffee, and with it, a cafe culture of cosmopolitan cool. 

Mid-century, Melbourne coffee shops became the hangouts of bohemians, artists, musicians and free thinkers. This influential scene ensured our daily drop would forever come with a sense of pride and sit alongside our city’s renowned art, entertainment, creativity and style.