8 Track Brewery: Ringwood microbrewery opens near Heatherdale railway station

A long planned microbrewery has finally opened in Melbourne’s east, and they’ve got a special brew ready for you.

Trent Hislop's 8 Track Brewery has created a Covid-themed pilsner, Please Czech In, for the microbrewery's opening in Ringwood. Picture: Kiel Egging.

Covid-19 might have held back its opening, but a Ringwood microbrewery is making the best of the situation by unveiling a beer with a key safety message.

8 Track Brewery, which opened on Thursday afternoon, has launched its ‘Please Czech In’ pilsner and seven other homegrown beers from its converted warehouse near Heatherdale railway station.

The microbrewery, located on Yallourn Parade, has had its opening constantly delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.

Owner Trent Hislop said despite Melbourne being in lockdown, he felt the time was right to get the doors open with takeaway beers in growlers and cans.

He said ‘Please Czech In’ was “first on the board” to remind visitors of the importance of contract tracing when they visited the venue.

“It’s a Czech-style pilsner, and given the whole process at the moment, it's a friendly reminder,” Mr Hislop said.

“The last two years has been slow going with all the restrictions … it’s been pretty frustrating, but obviously the restrictions are in place for a reason”.

8 Track Brewery founder Trent Hislop begins dishes out the growlers at the opening of the Ringwood microbrewery on Thursday, September 2. Picture: Kiel Egging.

Other beers on offer include an Australian pale ale, a hazy IPA and a coffee flavoured ale, Long Black, using coffee beans from Ringwood cafe TLC Espresso.

Mr Hislop said he hoped to create a family friendly, community focused atmosphere at the brewery and an ideal spot for pre-drinks before the footy.

He also wanted to lure visitors who lived closer to the city.

“Being really close to the railway station is something I always wanted, not only for safety, but there’s lots of people in the city that want to try something new,” Mr Hislop said.

“And if they can get a train and come out here, that’s what it’s all about.”

The brewery is open for takeaway sales from 1pm to 5pm from Thursday-Saturday while lockdown restrictions are in place.