News & Feature Stories
The Beer Slingers: Bobbie Peels
After years running various hospo businesses, including launching Burnley Brewing, old mates Phil Gijsbers and Neil Mills have their first pub. With renos complete at the historic Bobbie Peels, we invited them to kick off a new series.
Jarrah Boy Brings Native Ingredients To The Fore
A new Sunshine Coast-based brewing company showcasing native ingredients is set to launch later this month. Jarrah Boy is the latest venture from Dale Vocale, an Indigenous chef, entrepreneur and proud Monero Ngarigo man.
Bar La Sirène Opens In Alphington
More than a decade after moving into a warehouse in Melbourne's inner northeast, the farmhouse and wild ale specialists at La Sirène have opened their doors to the public. We called in for a chat, beer, food and champagne.
Beer Agents For Change Launch Second Diversity Survey
Beer Agents For Change have today launched their second Diversity Survey. The aim is to put together a snapshot of people's experiences in the beer industry with a particular focus on diversity, inclusivity and discrimination.
Exit Australian Brewery. Enter Esker Beer Co
The Australian Hotel & Brewery is entering a new era with the launch of Esker Beer Company. The new name and design was picked to better connect the longstanding brewery with their surrounds in Sydney's outer northwest.
Vale Head Back To The Vale
After two months of trophy triumph here and on the global stage, Vale Brewing are heading back to the region from which they took their name. Ahead of tomorrow's opening, Matt King chatted to them about their taphouse in McLaren Vale.
The Spirit Of Oztoberfest
Oktoberfest celebrations have long been a fixture in the beer calendar but 2022 has seen such events go into overdrive. We chatted to some of those behind the feast of fests to find out what they love about this time of year.
The Brewer Who Can See Flavour
When Ian Watson tastes beer, he sees colour. He has synaesthesia, and this condition shapes the way he tastes beer – and the way he brews it. We caught up with one of the country's most experienced brewers to find out more.
Who Brews Ursa Major Beer?
Ursa Major is only visible in the Northern Hemisphere but the brewing company bearing the name brew their "otherworldly beer" in Australia. The founders are global brewers, who met in another city and still make beer from two bases.
Du Cane's Brewery & Dining Hall Launches In Launceston
Launceston will have a brewpub of its own from this week as Du Cane Brewery & Dining Hall opens its doors. We chatted to founder Will Horan about what beer fans can expect from the space and his new partnership.
Get more Crafty!
Sign up to our newsletters and get the latest craft beer news delivered free to your inbox. Choose from our Friday Roundup of the week, the quick-read, social feed-like Crafty Cuppa – or both!
Who Brews Squinters Beers?
A squinter is someone who lives in Western Sydney and drives into the city early morning looking at the sun, only to face the same fate on the way home. That reality has inspired Penrith's newest brewery, Squinters Brewing Co.
Brick Lane Join The B Corp Brigade
Brick Lane Brewing have joined the tiny but growing number of Australian breweries with B Corp certification. The accreditation can only be achieved by businesses whose environmental and social actions meet a high standard.
The Collaborators: Deep Liquid's AI Recipe Designs
We live in an age of unlimited limiteds in which new releases are never-ending. Into this landscape steps Deep Liquid, an artificial intelligence program that aims to use customer feedback to help brewers design and brew better beer.
The Collaborators: South West Hops
It's not just the brewing scene that's expanding apace in WA's South West – there's a growing number of local producers supplying brewers too. Among them is South West Hops, who significantly stepped up their output in 2022.
Brew & A: Reckless Brewing's Grace Fowler
Reckless have brought local beer back to Bathurst and leading the way is co-founder Grace Fowler. We caught up with the longtime brewer to hear how she went from a "baptism of fire" to head brewer of her own operation.
Steph Howard's New Heights
She started out in the beer industry as a 20-year-old that didn't drink beer but has become one of the best-known individuals both here and in NZ. We sat down with Steph Howard as she steps into an even bigger role at Cryer Malt.
The Collaborators: Chilled Solutions
Chilled Solutions are dedicated to helping bartenders pour perfect pints but their essential role tends to be hidden from beer drinkers. We caught up with the founders of the small Melbourne business to find out why they launched and how they become the beer techs of choice for indie bars and breweries.
Colonial Brewing Co Becomes CBCo
Following controversy surrounding their name, Colonial Brewing Co have transitioned to become CBCo, with the decision made to "better reflect modern tastes" and help drive their continued growth.
Capital Become A B Corp Business
Capital Brewing have secured B Corp accreditation, making them just one of three Australian brewing companies to secure the status in acknowledgement of their positive social and environmental impact.
Want To Own A Bar For Free?
Want to own a bar for free? The founders of crafty Preston hangout Hard Rubbish are moving on and have decided the best way to find the right owners for their beloved Hardo is to give it away to the people with the best vision for its future.
Who Brews Full Circle Beers?
Small breweries cropping up in all manner of places but few as impressive as Bridgetown's grand hotel. We caught up with the Full Circle crew who brew out of The Bridgetown Hotel in the small town three hours from Perth.
Hops 'n' Robbers
It's not uncommon for brewpubs to have a stack of games for anyone looking to settle in but no there's a card game with breweries at its heart. We caught up with the creators of Hops ‘n’ Robbers to find out more.
HPA Invest In Major New Pellet Plant
The country's largest hop grower is investing in a major pelleting plant in Victoria which will allow them to keep up with their expanding farm capacity. Hop Products Australia also believe it will provide more consistent hops for brewers.
Sobah & The Good Beer Co Coral’ate For The Reef
Sobah and The Good Beer Co have long supported important causes. Now, with their latest beer they have come together to give the Great Barrier Reef a bit of TLC.
Shut Up And Drink Your Dessert: Pastry Beers Part 2
Pastry beers are everywhere now, like it or not. In part two of our deep dive, we explore their appeal: who's drinking them, the brewers' intentions and why they're still "real beer" – as well as the cost to your wallet and waistline.
Who Brews Yard Kings Beers?
Yard Kings Brewing Co combines brewery, taproom and smokehouse in Morriset. We got in touch with one of the five families behind the venture to find out more about their decision to enter the world of pro brewing.
Stomping Ground Bought By Good Drinks
Good Drinks, the company that includes beer brands such as Gage Roads, Atomic and Matso's, has bought Stomping Ground. The 100 percent acquisition sees the ASX-listed company expand its portfolio and establish a foothold in Victorian.
SurfCraft: Celebrating The Brookvale Six With Beer
A new brewing company is launching in the Northern Beaches this week. SurfCraft has been created to celebrate the Brookvale Six – the surfboard manufacturers who helped change the face of surfing in Australia.
Curly Lewis Bring Brewing To Bondi
Sydney's west is bursting at the seams with breweries yet the city's inner east hasn't enjoyed the same beer boom. That looks set to change, however, with Curly Lewis about to open the doors to their Bondi Beach brewery and bar.
Shut Up And Drink Your Dessert: Pastry Beers Part 1
Sweet, thick beers that taste like dessert used to be few and far between, but now it feels like they're everywhere. In the first of this two-part deep dive, we look at what pastry beers are, where they came from, and how they're made.
Who Brews Forgotten Worlds?
It's taken a dozen years, but finally we're able to feature a brewing company run by omniscient entities that exist outside our earthly dimension. Judd Owen makes contact with the quartet keeping the Forgotten Worlds alive.
$6m Lager Brewery To Open In SE Queensland
South East Queensland will welcome a lager brewery next year when Perentie Brewing opens in the Distillery Road Market precinct. Although it's new, there are some experienced hands involved in the six million venture too.
Valhalla To Open A Brewery In Geelong
Valhalla Brewing have spent six years making beer without a home of their own. That's set to change in March next year, now that owner Scott Hunt has signed a lease on a space in North Geelong’s Federal Woollen Mills precinct.
2022: Craft Beer's Strangest Year Yet?
Lockdowns are a thing of the past yet 2022 is proving to be another grim year for many in the beer industry. We ask why, and look at what can be done to ensure better days lie ahead.
Who Brews On King Island?
King Island is rugged and isolated but, just like a growing number of small communities, it's also home to a brewery. We caught up with the family behind King Island Brewhouse to find out about living and making beer in the Bass Strait.
Sydney Brewery & Wayward Triumph At Sydney Royal Beer Awards
A trio of past winners enjoyed more trophy success at the 2022 Sydney Royal Beer & Cider Awards. The champion beer trophies were claimed by Sydney Brewery, Wayward Brewing and the Australian Brewery.
Brew & A: Tim Miller
Brewmanity finally broke ground last month at the site will become home to their brewpub in early 2023. We dropped by for a look, but also to chat to the man they've signed as head brewer ahead of the grand opening.
The Story Of: Lark Imperial JSP
It's not hard to find barrel-aged beers in winter but Wolf of the Willows' Lark Imperial JSP still manages to stand out. As brewer and distiller celebrate the fifth vintage of their collaboration, we take a deep dive with Wolf co-founder Scott McKinnon.
Who Brews Communion Beers?
They started out brewing tiny batches of beer for their café called The Chapel and now the Turners welcome guests to enjoy communion at their brewery-meets-restaurant in North West Tasmania too.
Crafty Crawls: Freo Beer-Ho II – Day Two
All aboard the Freo Beer Bus! Graham Frizzell completes his jaunt around Fremantle's beeriest haunts by hopping on the Blue CAT for a trip featuring a brewery-distillery, an OG crafty bottlo, a hotdog hotspot and more.
Bells Beach Brewing Surf Onto Bigger Waves
Torquay can be a little quiet over winter but Bells Beach Brewing have been making the most of it. They've just completed an expansion that will see them double their output and are working towards gaining B Corp certification.
Nowhereman: Five Years In Five Beers
Five years ago to the day, Nowhereman opened the doors to their West Leederville brewpub for the first time. Here, the team reflects on five years of meaningful fun via five of their favourite beers.
Who Brews At Scarborough Harbour?
A trip to Canada inspired Sonia and Guy Schweitzer to open a craft brewery close to their home on the Redcliffe Peninsula. They finally achieved their dream this Easter, so we called in to check it out.
Crafty Crawls: Freo Beer-Ho II – Day One
Freo has long been recognised as the birthplace of today's craft beer culture in Australia. Now, following an explosion of new breweries and beer venues, it's better than ever for beer lovers seeking adventure.
Moo Brew To Open A New Hobart Brewpub
Moo Brew have announced plans to open a new home in Hobart. Tasmania's longest-established independent brewery has signed a lease on a site in Salamanca where they hope to open a brewpub before the end of 2022.
12 Taps Rises Again In Sydney
COVID's impact on hospitality saw the 12 Taps team close their two Sydney venues. But they're back – opening one in Marrickville last month. We spoke to bar's co-founder to find out about their comeback and plans for the future.
Who Brews Warrandyte Brewing Beers?
Warrandyte might sit within Melbourne's boundary but it's not your typical outer suburb, sitting on the banks of the Yarra River and home to stunning bushland. It's a spirit that Warrandyte Brewing have looked to capture with their beers.
Left Barrel On Top At SA's Beer Awards
The punnily-titled Bob's Ya Dunkel from Left Barrel was named Most Outstanding Beer in Show at the 2022 Royal Adelaide Beer and Cider Awards. Champion brewery titles were claimed by Vale Brewing and Nowhereman.
Dean Can Draw – Bringing Crushed Cans To Life
To some, a crushed tinnie is a piece of rubbish ready to be recycled. To artist Dean Spinks, it's inspiration for a 30-hour photorealistic drawing.
Brew & A: Nathan Munt
Hazy IPAs, pastry stouts and imperial sours get a lot of attention but you're unlikely to find them in Victoria's King Valley. Instead, you'll find all manner of European styles pouring – and it's a good thing, since King River Brewing make them rather well.
