Articles by Will Ziebell

GABS Acquire More Festivals

The GABS team has expanded its festival reach considerably after buying a number of beer and drinks festivals from the Schwartz Family Company. We spoke to GABS owner Mike Bray about the acquisition and their future plans.

A Full Colour Life: From Brewer To Leader

Most people open a brewery or become brewers because they love making and drinking beer. Yet, as businesses grow and careers progress, brewing can play second fiddle to management tasks requiring very different skills.

Brookvale – Brewing A Beer Paradise?

Brookvale has been hailed as a beer paradise with multiple breweries joining the local scene in recent years. But despite each carving out a niche and being packed to the rafters on weekends, it's not always smooth sailing on the Northern Beaches.

Backing Beer: Australia's Cicerone Community

Paul Daley has spent the best part of a decade advocating for beer. Now, he's launched the Australian Cicerone – Certified Professionals Community with some of the country's top beer advocates to better promote the industry they love.

Who Brews Boundary Island Beers?

Boundary Island Brewery launched in 2022 and have wasted little time making an impression beyond their coastal home in WA. After they won Best New Exhibitor trophies in Melbourne and Perth, we got in touch to find out more.

Lion Kill Two Birds With One Move

Lion are to close Two Birds' Spotswood home and discontinue the brand. The move comes less than two years on from the multinational's acquisition of Fermentum, which included Two Birds and other breweries alongside Stone & Wood.

Blizzard Brewery Founder's OnMarket Raise

A significant number of craft breweries have crowdfunded in recent years. Now, with sources of funding ever harder to come by, a former brewery owner is hoping to help guide others along that path as he returns with OnMarket.

Who Brews Mountain Monk Beers?

The Bellman family has a long association with Mount Beauty, from working on the mountain to regular family holidays. Now, their association runs deeper than ever after they took over the local pub and built a brewery there too.

Beer Travel: Denver's RiNo District

The Denver Nuggets waited a long time to become NBA champs but you don't have to wait long - or travel far - to find excellent beer in the Mile High City. Join Will Ziebell for a stroll through the city's RiNo district, soaking in the local beer.

The Story Of: B2 Bomber

When Bridge Road Brewers first released their B2 Bomber in 2010, the imperial Belgian black IPA was unlike anything else. It remains an oddity to this day so, as Mach 13.0 lands, we asked brewery founder Ben Kraus how it came to be.

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That's Dope! The US Brewers On A High

The cannabis plant is a close relative of hops but we don't – legally – see them together in Australia. The situation is rather different in the US, as Will Ziebell discovered in conversation with some of those pioneering weed-beer hybrids.

I'm Growin' Down: Lessons From America's Shrinking Breweries

Late last year, Tomme Arthur did something brewery owners don't often do: talked about shrinking The Lost Abbey to survive. Will Ziebell caught up with him in America to find out what's happening in a country often seen as craft beer's future.

BoozeBud Bought By Hairydog

BoozeBud is set to continue operating after being bought by fellow online retailers, Hairydog Group. The announcement follows Boozebud appointing voluntary administrators in early May as the business collapsed.

The Australian International Beer Awards at 30

The country's biggest beer competition, the Australian International Beer Awards, takes place for the 30th time this May. Here, we take a stroll down Memory Lane with some of the key figures from the past three decades.

Ziebs' Final Letter From America

In the last of his Letters From America, posted as he awaited a boarding call in LAX, Will Ziebell reflects on a few days spent exploring the breweries of San Diego on a hunt for the perfect West Coast IPA.

Letters From America: Aussie First-Timers

More than 10,000 attended the 2023 Craft Brewers Conference, among them a number of Australians. Will Ziebell caught up with a few of the first-time attendees to find out why they were there and what they'd learned along the way.

Who Brews On Point Beers?

Alexandra's old butter factory has been brought back to life by two best mates who've known each other since high school. We got in touch to find out more about On Point Brewery, which opened to the public at the tail end of 2022.

Ziebs' Letters From America Part 2

With the Craft Brewers Conference and World Beer Cup wrapped up, Will Ziebell has moved onto Denver. Here, he reflects on his experiences in Nashville, the issues raised there, and the delicious IPA awaiting him in the Colorado capital.

Bucketty's Claim Another Medal At The World Beer Cup

Northern Beaches-based Bucketty's are one of the smaller operations in Australia but continue to punch above their weight. For the second year running, they've claimed a medal at the world's biggest beer comp, the World Beer Cup.

Getting Bigger In Japan

Collaborations have long been part of craft beer culture, and Pint of Origin 2023 will see one host venue take things to another level. We caught up with Benchwarmer founder Locky and his Japanese partners to find out more.

Ziebs' Letters From America Part I

Crafty Pint senior writer Will Ziebell is in the States for the Craft Brewers Conference but is taking the opportunity to do some exploring too. In his first missive, he reports back on his experiences in Nashville before the formalities start.

HPA Eclipse Past Years In The 2023 Hop Harvest

As they release their 2023 crop report, we spoke to Australia's largest hop grower, Hop Products Australia, about their faith in their latest commercial variety, Eclipse, what's on the horizon, and the wider world of hops.

Ferveo's New Form Of Yeast For Brewers

Ferveo is a yeast company that's been working with Adelaide brewers for some time before officially launching with an innovative range. Here, Tommaso Watson tells us about his journey from winemaking to wort-wrangling.

Beer Grows Here: The Devilbend Farm

The paddock-to-plate philosophy runs deep on the Mornington Peninsula and myriad wineries let you enjoy a glass while looking at the vines that were the source of your enjoyment. Devilbend Farm Beer is a new brewery that is growing its own grains, hops and plans to make estate ales.

Infusion Malt: Belgian Innovation, Aussie Roots

Malt doesn't tend to elicit the same excitement in craft beer circles as hops or even yeast yet it sets the stage for all beer. A recent innovation looks set to boost excitement levels, however, and driving it is an Australian brewer.

Bootsy's Business Of Beer

This year has been a challenging one for breweries large and small. Nick Boots is a longtime industry member eager to support indie breweries, which has led him to launch The Business of Beer. We got in touch to find out what he's planning.

Abbl: For Local Brewers From A Local Brewer

Typically, brewers like to make beer but, day-to-day, running a brewery can involve doing everything else. Abbl is a new brewery management software designed to help cut down on paperwork, designed by a small brewery.

Six String: Ten Lessons From Ten Years

It wasn't easy for Six String to open the doors of their Central Coast brewery but, ten years on, their local community seems lucky to have them. Here, we invite founders Chris and Sharon Benson to reflect on their first decade of beers.

Range Go Out On The Patio

Range Brewing have a brand new Brisbane venue on the way, going by the name of Patio. We chatted with the team to find out about their plans for Paddington as well as their soon-to-open barrel room and function space.

Tribe Avoid Liquidation, Strike Deal Involving Kathmandu Founder

Tribe Brewing has avoided liquidation, with creditors approving a deal that will see just five cents to the dollar paid to unsecured creditors. The proposal was brought by a group led by the Elsie Cameron Foundation and VBS Investments.

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The IBA Put The Spotlight On Finding Indie Beer

The IBA has launched a new awareness campaign to help drinkers better identify indie beer. We chatted with the person leading the charge within the organisation about the campaign and the research behind it.

Local Brewing Co's Melbourne Brewpub Opens This Week

The team behind Local Brewing Co are set to open their taproom this weekend in Melbourne's inner north. We spoke to a couple of the founders about their plans for the Clifton Hill space as well as their recent rebrand.

Aussie Hops: An International Perspective

Australian hops can ignite plenty of passion among local brewers but they're not alone. Overseas, the likes of Galaxy are often in high demand. With hop harvest underway, we asked some international brewers for their thoughts on our hops.

Otherside To Open A Taproom At Perth Airport

Perth Airport is set to become a whole lot craftier this year, with Otherside Brewing announcing they are building a taproom inside Terminal 2. We spoke to the team about their forthcoming new Brewlounge.

The Zythologist Find A Home

Melbourne's southeast continues its crafty rise, with The Zythologist set to open by the end of 2023. We caught up with two of the chemical engineers behind the operation to ask what's next for the brewery launched at Monash Uni.

A Day In The Life Of: A Beer Buyer

Being a beer buyer is an essential but somewhat hidden side of the industry and the kind of job that sounds as easy as they come. But, as Cherry Murphy explains, much work goes into deciding what makes the shelves at Blackhearts & Sparrows.

Brew & A: Rachel Freeman

Many brewers started making beer so they could drink something they couldn't buy but even as craft beer's availability has spread, craft beer still has a way of pulling people into the industry. Rachel Freeman's career in beer started at 18 and the Temple brewer remains as passionate an advocate as when she was selling beer behind a bar.

Black Hops Top Beer Cartel's Australian Craft Beer Survey Again

Black Hops have topped the Australian Craft Beer Survey for the second time running, voted Australia's best brewery ahead of GABS Hottest 100 toppers Mountain Culture and BentSpoke by more than 14,000 people who took part.

Nail Acquire Billabong Brewery & Celebrate With A Trophy

Nail Brewing, pioneers of the Australian craft beer industry, have taken over another of the WA's longest-established breweries, Billabong. We chatted to founder John Stallwood as they enjoyed trophy success in Queensland.

The Collaborators: Pours Cocktails

Pours features three founders who could have easily come together to launch a brewing company but instead created canned cocktails. We chatted to two of them about the novel idea and how it all came to life.

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CBCo Take Non-Alc Craft Beer To A New Low

CBCo have entered the alcohol-free space but the brewery's approach has seen them take a different path to most other breweries. We chatted to head brewer Ash Hazell about their new Alfa Laval De-Alc Module.

Behind The Sale The Wasn't To Be

A few days on from the surprise announcement that their proposed sale to Good Drinks was off, Stomping Ground co-owner Steve Jeffares spoke to The Crafty Pint about the background to the decision and their future plans.

Clare Burnett's Award-Winning Journey

Clare Burnett spent years covering the beer industry for Brews News so her name and voice will be familiar to many. As entries open for the 2023 AIBAs, she tells us about her journey from the UK to winning last year's Best Media trophy.

Spicy, Beery & Barrelicious

Craft beer and hot sauce share a surprisingly close bond and now one former head brewer has collaborated with his old workplace to break the barrier down further. Check out The Village Pickle's collaboration with Brisbane Brewing Co.

The Craft & Co's Preston Taproom Opens

The Craft & Co opened their Preston venue on the weekend, with the taproom adding to the Melbourne suburb's considerable crafty credentials. We chatted to founder Paul Baggio about the space and their future plans.

Under Pressure: A Perfect Storm Brewing For Beer

Today's excise tax hike completes the biggest financial year rise in decades, yet it's just one of myriad pressures on the local industry. We examine the "perfect storm" engulfing a beer world facing a fourth straight year of harsh challenges.

Who Brews & Blends Barrel Shepherd Beers?

Wollongong has always been a manufacturing city but these days it feels like much of that production is beer. The Barrel Shepherd has joined the city's thriving beer scene, bringing with it a unique tale and love for barrels, local fruit and yeast.

Crowdfunded Brewery Future Magic Opens Today

The Future Magic team open the doors to their Brisbane brewery today. They launched their operation on the back of a crowdfunding campaign, so we chatted with co-founder Sean Astill to find out more about their approach.

Going Green: Bearhug Pallet Wrap

Plastic is often a necessary evil in the beer world: it can help keep beer safe but often ends up in landfill. It's an issue being tackled by Bearhug Pallet Wrap, a startup looking to move beer safely while cutting out single-use plastic.

Spotty Dog's Hobart Home Is Here At Last

It's been a long road for Spotty Dog but the Tassie brewers who launched their first beer in 2016 finally have a home in Hobart. Co-founder Klimt Donohoe told us all about their new venue and what beer lovers can expect.