Three weeks before celebrating its third birthday, Pioneer Brewery has once again picked up even more awards for its brews.
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The Independent Beer Awards which were held last week saw the local brewery pick up silver for its Major Mitchell international-style pale ale and three bronzes for its Amber Ale, Marzen Lager and Vienna Lager.
The four new awards has brought Pioneer Brewery's total award count for independent beers to 16 - all before it has reached the tender age of three.
Located between the villages of Cargo and Cudal, Pioneer is a farm-based brewery that's a 25-minute drive south-west of Orange.
As a "fiercely" independent brewery, the ethos at the heart of the awards is something owner and head brewer Peter Gerber is passionate about.
"The consumer out there isn't aware that a huge majority of the beer they're drinking isn't Australian-owned. They pay no corporate taxes in Australia," he said.
"So if we want to whinge about roads and schools and stuff like that, you need to be aware as a consumer (where your money is going).
"It's about making educated procurement decisions.
"Sixty-five percent of independent breweries are located in regional areas," Mr Gerber added.
In addition, from a tourism perspective, all the breweries and distilleries in Orange's famous wine region were crucial, he said.
The small beer and gin producers which could "hold their own" in wine country, were helping to diversify the Orange region for tourists.
The farm-based micro-brewery is one of the very few that actually grows and harvests the grains that end up in its award-winning beers.
"We're the only brewery on the eastern seaboard growing our own grain, brewing and packaging on site," Mr Gerber explained.
After launching the business just before Christmas in 2017, Pioneer miraculously first began winning awards for its beers only four months later.
Pioneer Brewery is open every Saturday for tours and tastings, with more dates continuing to be added for the Christmas and holiday period. While celebrations for the brewery's third birthday will be on December 12.
The local brewery will also be pouring at Grapes of Mirth comedy festival on December 5 at Orange Showgrounds. For full dates, head to: www.pioneerbrewing.com.au/events/
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