Black horse leads the field

On Sunday 10 February, the sounds of clinking bottles and gasps of surprise came from the fourth annual Historic Bottle Evaluation at Drysdale’s old courthouse.

David Bruce

The Bellarine Historical Society and ABCR Auctions had invited people to bring in any old bottles for experienced glass valuers David Bruce and Travis Dunne to appraise and value. This free event was part of the 2019 Festival of Glass and attracted around fifty hopeful locals.

David Bruce said, “We always look forward to this event, because in the past, people have brought in some real treasures. This year's standout item was a Black Horse Ale bottle, produced around 1860 by the Kent Brewery in Sydney and today worth between $600 - $700."

Black Horse Ale bottle

New life for old bottles

Drysdale will ring to the clink of bottles at the third annual free Historic Bottle Evaluation on Sunday 11 February, 10.00am to 3.30pm at the Drysdale Courthouse.

The record-breaking bottles

The Bellarine Historical Society and ABCR Auctions are running the event as part of the 2018 Festival of Glass.

Experienced valuers Paul and David Bruce, assisted by leading Geelong collector Cam Ward, will appraise and value bottles and expect to see around 75 hopeful locals.

David Bruce said, “We’ve found some real treasures, which fetched record prices at subsequent auctions.

“One was a Les Bray St. Arnaud ginger beer bottle, made between 1900 and 1918, which sold for a record $650; the other was a hand blown wine bottle dated 1740 from Oxford University’s Magdalene College, which sold for a record $980!”

If you have some old bottles that have been around for years, bring them along – they may be worth more than you think!

Featured Festival sponsor – Parkers Steakhouse, Drysdale

7 Palmerston Street, Drysdale, Victoria 3222                        (03) 5251 5551

eatmorebeef@parkerssteakhouse.com.au                   www.parkerssteakhouse.com.au/

Open 6.00pm to 9.00pm Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday; 6.00pm to 10.00pm Fridays and Saturdays. Fully licensed; no BYO.

The Festival committee is grateful to Parkers for their continued support of the Festival.

Customers at Parkers come from Drysdale, Geelong, Melbourne and further afield for the friendly, relaxed ambience. Entrees include grilled beef sausage, grilled halloumi cheese or lamb loin chops; and there are decadent deserts such as Double Chocolate Hot Fudge Cake and Warm Sticky Date Pudding.

The stars of the Parkers show, however, are the steaks! Simple, boldly flavoured 28-day aged T-bone or certified Australian Angus eye fillet steaks come from Australia’s best pasture-raised cattle. Non-steak eaters can delight in the delicious Atlantic salmon. An extensive wine list and knowledgeable, attentive staff round out the whole Parkers experience.