We’ve all dabbled in fort-making from time to time. Whether its out of pillows, blankets or cardboard, it’s always fun to make a little hideaway space. Well, Australian independent craft brewery Bridge Road Brewers has put all of our fort-making to shame, with their impressive pop-up bar made entirely out of cardboard. This sustainable bar can fit 60 people inside and outside, and is made from materials that are already recycled, or that can be recycled, composted or reused in the future. A Bar Made of Cardboard will open on Friday April 22, and stay in Brunswick East for six months.
What can you expect from A Bar Made of Cardboard?
Apart from the beer taps, fridges and dishwasher, this bar is made entirely out of cardboard. That includes the tables, chairs, fittings, shelving and more. Built in collaboration with cardboard designers Boxwars and industrial packaging specialists Kebet Packaging, this cardboard destination was engineered to withstand the busyness of an inner-city bar.
This pop-up bar will open from Wednesday to Sunday, and feature core and seasonal beers on tap from Bridge Road Brewers. There will also be a curated wine list, showcasing small wine producers from Victoria’s High Country. Small-batch spirits and aperitifs will also be on offer.
Expect a small snack menu featuring Chappy’s Chips and Mount Zero Olives, as well as food trucks on Friday and Saturday nights. A bottle shop will offer takeaway onsite.
A sustainable introduction
For these brewers from Beechworth, A Bar Made of Cardboard is a unique way to say hi to the neighbourhood.
“We’re opening our first metro brewpub in Brunswick East later this year, and we can’t wait to be a part of the community, so we decided to to give locals a taste of what’s to come through the pop-up,” said Ben Kraus, founder of Bridge Road Brewers. This concept will celebrate the idea of its temporary nature, and will stay mindful of its environmental impact. “The space allows us to have a bit of fun and share what we do in Beechworth, all while doing the right thing from a sustainability perspective.”
The cardboard in the bar is, at a minimum, made from 75 per cent recycled material. All of the cardboard is recyclable, all inks are organic and any glue used is biodegradable. To protect from spills, all exposed surfaces are coated with biodegradable food-safe waterproof coating.
After six months, A Bar Made of Cardboard will be dismantled to make way for Bridge Road Brewers’ permanent venue. All the materials will be recycled or repurposed by Kebet Packaging, and the beer taps, fridges, dishwasher and hardware will be transferred to the new brewery and bar.
Meanwhile, the permanent brewery and bar for Bridge Road Brewers will operate on the same site in East Brunswick Village. It’s currently expected to open in December 2022, with a capacity for 350 people.