News & Feature Stories
Crafty Crawls: Toowoomba
As the fifth Brewoomba approaches, we take a tour of the best beer spots in Toowoomba, the regional city that's welcomed two new breweries and another crafty venue in the past 12 months.
Who Brews BoJaK Beers?
The name is inspired by their two sons rather than the world's most depressed horse and they pour up to a dozen beers at their Dandenong brewpub. As they move into cans, we find out more about BoJaK Brewing.
Best New Beers Of 2019 – So Far
With so many beers released across Australia every week, there's arguably never been more need for a mid-year wrap of the best to date. So, which new releases have impressed the most in the first six months of 2019?
Modus Operandi: Five Years In Five Beers
Modus Operandi have reached their five year mark, and are showing no signs of slowing down. Mick Wust talks with owners Grant and Jaz Wearin about the five beers that have shaped Modus into the brewery it is today.
Brew & A: Sam Clayman
Sam Clayman loves the uncertainty of nature, from the biochemistry of snails to the distinct characteristics of different yeasts. Find out how the All Hands head brewer balances science and creativity in this Brew & A.
Who Brews Watsacowie Beers?
Half of Drew Coleman's heart is in rural South Australia; the other half is in northern Europe. See how both halves come together at Watsacowie Brewing in this entry in our Who Brews...? series.
CUB Bought By Asahi
AB InBev have announced they are to sell Australia's CUB to Asahi for $16 billion Australian dollars.
Crafty Crawls: Geelong
Unlike many of the previous Crafty Crawls we've run, this one requires you to cover a little more distance to complete. But it's worth the effort as Geelong's fledgling craft beer scene is becoming a fun one to explore.
The Collaborators: Rockstar Brewing
His trophy-winning brewing company BrewCult might have folded but Steve "Hendo" Henderson is now involved in making more beers than ever. We caught up with him to find out about his diverse Rockstar Brewer operation.
Small Batch
Batch are to open a second brewery to help meet demand. But instead of going bigger, their new site in Petersham is far smaller and will be dedicated to small batch brews, experimentation and refinement.
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Royal Adelaide Beer Awards Winners 2019
Most of the trophies at the 2019 Royal Adelaide Beer, Cider & Spirit Awards are staying in SA. Prancing Pony, Woolshed and Pirate Life, each won multiple awards, while Smiling Samoyed's Dark Ale won Most Outstanding Beer again.
Capital Landing At Canberra Airport
Capital Brewing announced today they're to open a 12-tap bar at Canberra Airport. The news bookends a week in which Stomping Ground announced their own plans to build a brewpub at Melbourne Airport.
Behind Bars: Big Ears
Big Ears is one of the bars working hard to bring better beer - along with tasty meatballs - to the people of Geelong. Ainsley Killingback is chief beer proselytist and here tells us about Geelong's crafty credentials.
Billson's Brews From The Archives
The new owners of a brewery with a history stretching back a century-and-a-half are bringing old beers back to life. Already Billson's have released an ale and a stout with origins in the late 19th century with more to follow.
Aussie Beerstagrammers: Malt & Lead
Mark Gamble swapped London for Melbourne and has been working with local breweries in his role as a visual designer and art director. Here, he tells us about his approach to Instagram with his Malt & Lead account.
Melbourne Airport Lands A Brewery
Melbourne Airport is to get its own brewery, with Stomping Ground set to open their third venue there this coming summer. It's part of a revamp of the airport's offering designed to showcase Melbourne's food and drink scene.
Who Brews Hoppy Puppy Beers?
The brewing industry seems to be obsessed with dogs more than most and now has another canine-themed operation in its midst. As their first beer hits taps, we find out more about Brisbane's Hoppy Puppy.
A Fresh Blast On The FogHorn
Fans of FogHorn beers may not have to travel to the source for much longer after the brewery unveiled plans to expand horizons and release their first cans as part of a relaunch from FogHorn Brewhouse to FogHorn Brewery.
Have Your Say On Australian Beer
The fourth edition of Beer Cartel's annual Australian Craft Beer Survey kicks off today, seeking to create a snapshot of trends within the local beer world. It's the biggest survey of its kind and you're invited to take part.
Drink Easy – A New Breed Of Award
Central to the craft beer revolution has been a tearing up of rule books and challenging of norms. Now, a new awards competition covering beer, wine, cider, spirits and non-alcoholic drinks plans to do the same.
Brew & A: Mattias Isaksson
Mattias Isaksson has a dual role heading up the brewing at Queenscliff Brewhouse while also part of Old Wives Ales – two very different operations making very different beers. We caught up with him to see how he does it.
Aussie Export: Dave Rooney
After a midlife crisis led Dave Rooney to Buenos Aires, he soon found himself falling for the city's craft beer venues and local breweries. Now he runs tours for those who want to discover Argentina's good beer scene.
3 Ravens, Feral & Innate Win Big At Perth Awards
3 Ravens, Feral and Innate Brewers took out the top trophies at the 2019 Perth Royal Beer Awards on Friday night. The Thornbury brewery claimed Champion Beer as Feral and Innate took out Champion Large and Small Brewery respectively.
Something For Cait
Drinkers in Wollongong can knock back a local pilsner for a good cause after a bartender at His Boy Elroy and Five Barrel Brewing created a beer to raise money for a cancer charity in honour of the former's mum.
Beer Travel: Vancouver
The US tends to consume most column inches when it comes to discussions of the North American beer scene, but there's plenty going on in Canada. Here, Marie Claire Jarratt takes us on a guide through Vancouver.
Making A Stand
From trestle tables and pull-up banners to 50s themed diners and entire breweries made of cardboard, brewery stands at beer festivals have come a long way. Mick Wust asks why it's important to stand out.
Who Brews Ornith Beers?
Daniel Venema is a bird photographer and beer lover who brews for two Brisbane brewing companies. We caught up with him to find out how his love of birds and brewing led him from homebrewing to his dual brewing role.
Common Ground: Blending Beer & Coffee
Once predominantly the preserve of the occasional stout or porter, these days coffee is cropping up in all sorts of beers in a variety of fashions. Marie Claire Jarratt spoke to producers on both sides to find out more.
Behind Bars: Old Faithful Amos
He's one of the beer world's most colourful of characters – most passionate advocates too. For this Behind Bars feature, we get some insight on the Perth and WA beer scene from the inimitable Amos at Old Faithful.
Who Brews As Paper Scissors Rock?
Breweries have been popping up in small tourist towns across Australia for years. Thanks to Paper Scissors Rock, anyone visiting Victoria's Halls Gaps can now enjoy a local beer while in The Grampians too.
Crafty Cabal Update - June 2019
We've got plenty to update Crafty Cabal members on as we head into the depths of winter, with new competitions, giveaways and more.
Beer Travel: A Taste Of Mexico City
Dark beer lover Ann Deslandes moved from Australia to Mexico City and has been exploring the growing local craft beer scene. Here, she gives us an insight into the flavours of the day.
The Collaborators: Craft Instinct
Jessie Jungalwalla has spent close to three years leading Craft Instinct, a branding agency dedicated to making the craft beverage world look better. We caught up with her to talk branding and beer.
One Hell Of A Brew
He's their most-capped player, longest-serving captain and leading goalscorer – and has his own brewing company. Now, David Neitz has combined his two passions with the launch of Demon Brew with Melbourne FC.
The Drinks Adventurer
Do you like exploring the links between drinks? Past AIBA Best Media winner James Atkinson's podcast Drinks Adventures looks at beer, wine, and spirits, and the collaborations between those world.
Brew & A: Headricks Lane
Rockhampton gained its own brewery this year. Headricks Lane launched in March and Matt Aitken wasted little time calling in to catch up with head brewer Alex Taubert.
Beer Travel: The Breweries Of The Sunshine Coast
Not that long ago, the Sunshine Coast was home to just one brewery. Now, there's more than a dozen of one sort or another dotting the coast and Hinterland and more on the way.
What's The Damage?
A homophobic meme posted on Facebook by an Australian brewery has brought into sharp focus the impact such actions can have on the wider community.
Stomping Ground 2 To Open Early 2020
Stomping Ground are off to put their mark on new territory after announcing they'll be opening a second brewpub in Moorabbin in Melbourne's South Eastern suburbs early in 2020.
Mission To Mahrs
Stephan Michel from Mahrs Bräu makes some of the best lagers in Germany. So, when he visited Australia recently, Mick Wust chatted with him about lagers and their place in a craft beer market.
Who Brews As The Sophisticated Beast?
It's one of the tiniest breweries in Australia and also produces cold brew coffee and pink oyster mushrooms. Jono Outred called into The Sophisticated Beast to find out more.
Crafty Dozen – June 2019
Time for another roundup of new brewery, bar and bottleshops added to the site as we've listed another dozen since the last wrap.
Winter's Still Coming
Winter is traditionally the toughest time for brewers as sales slow. With competition already fierce and more brewing companies closing or selling, can we expect to see bloodshed? Or does the future remain bright?
Saison D'Être
Many brewers love them, their characteristics are ideal for Australia's climate, they offer diversity and are wonderful with food. So why are saisons proving a harder sell than most in today's beer world?
Crafting A Healthy Conversation
Craft Beer Coopery is a beer club with a difference – it aims to tackle mental health issues by helping start conversations among mates. And now The Crafty Pint is joining forces to help them start even more.
Aussie Exports: Dean McLeod
After working with many of the pioneers of Australia's craft beer scene, Dean McLeod headed to Vancouver Island with his Canadian wife. Here, he offers insight on the beer scenes in both countries.
Who Brews Humpback Beers?
Towards the end of 2016, Cliff Wallis started taking the pokies out of the Tathra Hotel and laid the foundations for a brewery. Now Humpback Brewery is up and running, we thought we'd find out more.
Going Green: One Drop's Box
As part of their mission to inspire change, young Sydney brewery One Drop have designed unique environmentally friendly packaging for their cans. Marie Claire Jarratt got in touch to find out more.
Sydney Beer Week 2019 Cancelled
The organisers of Sydney Beer Week have decided to cancel this year's festival, citing a "combination of reduced registrations and a pull-back of sponsorship support".
BrewDog Brisbane Set To Open Late 2019
BrewDog co-founder Martin Dickie is in Australia checking on progress of their Brisbane brewery. Will Ziebell chatted to him about their plans for Australia, including the use of local hops and barrels.
