Meet Crafty's Agony Aunt

June 26, 2013, by Crafty Pint

Meet Crafty's Agony Aunt

One of the defining features of the Australian craft beer world – and one of its finest attributes – is its all encompassing warm embrace. As highlighted by the seemingly unstoppable run of collaborations, brewers just love to open their doors and hearts to beer drinkers so they can share in their passion for the good stuff. Bars, bottleshops, beer events and festivals offer opportunities for those who brew, sell and enjoy craft beer to come together as one. And, here at The Crafty Pint, we do our best to unite all facets of the Aussie beer world too.

As such, we’re always looking for ways to promote dialogue between punters and brewers and a few months back got chatting to Jayne Lewis, one half of Two Birds Brewing, about this very thing. The conversation led to the idea of introducing a regular spot on the site where our readers could pose questions of a beer or brewing nature to a brewer who could then respond in kind.

And now that idea has become reality, with today seeing the launch of Ask Brewer Jayne, a regular feature on the site that will see Jayne become, effectively, the Australian craft beer world’s Agony Aunt. You can send in any queries you might have about beer, brewing and the wider beer world: how does someone get into brewing, what’s it like being a woman in the beer world, contract vs owning your own brewery, queries on beer styles, the strong link between nail art and brewing, what’s the correct pronunciation of Taco, or anything else you can think of – as long as it is beer related. Jayne will then delve into the beer encyclopaedia that is her brain and respond accordingly.

We’re pretty certain she’s an ideal candidate for the role – and not just because she’s female and thus can be an aunt. As well as brewing and making cider at the likes of Little Creatures, Mountain Goat and Two Birds, she has worked in the wine industry, is a judge at many prominent beer competitions around the world, is on the board of the Craft Beer Industry Association and president of the Pink Boots Society of Australia and, perhaps most importantly, spends a huge amount of time talking beer in the company of punters at beer events and festivals from coast to coast.

So, if any of you have questions that are troubling you, ills that require resolution, or merely want to find out more about the world of beer then send them to crafty@craftypint.com and we’ll send them her way. In the meantime, however, we’ll kickstart things by Asking Brewer Jayne a few questions of our own…

What’s your brewing history to date?
I’m one of those “winemaker-turned-brewer-and-dabbled-in-cider” types. After studying winemaking at Curtin Uni, WA and working in Margaret River, I was looking to move back to the city and Little Creatures in Freo advertised for a Brewer. I applied for the role, told a white lie in my interview about being an avid homebrewer, and they gave me a job!

That was in 2004 and I worked there for three years, along the way helping to develop Pipsqueak Cider, before moving to Melbourne. I did a brief stint at Matilda Bay Garage before landing the role as Head Brewer at Mountain Goat in early 2008. I learnt so much over the next three years of working with the Goat crew, particularly Dave and Cam, that I decided to start my own brewing company. Danielle Allen and I kicked off Two Bird Brewing in June 2011 and have been on this crazy ride ever since!

Why did you agree to become the Crafty Pint’s Agony Aunt?
I’m a glutton for punishment? No, I love any excuse to talk about beer and this gives me an outlet, so that I don’t have to bore my non-beery pals with constant beer chatter.

How is Two Birds going?
It has far exceeded all of our expectations: we’ve been really happy with the growth so far and also with the recognition that we’ve received. It’s more challenging than I had anticipated, but that helps to keep me interested and motivated. I love being involved in every aspect of the business and I’m lucky to have the best business partner going round.

What are the plans ahead – your own brewery?
Absolutely. Owning our own stainless steel has always been the aim for us and hopefully this isn’t too far away.

And now the questions from our once regular Brew & A feature…

Favourite Australian beer (other than your own)?
Wow, just one? Stone and Wood Pacific Ale is a go-to beer for me. It’s such a solid, well made beer and the guys have done an excellent job of crafting a beer with a sense of terroir, that captures the essence of where it was made, and also of distributing it so that it’s easy to get your hands on. It also makes excellent scones!

After a recent trip to the US, I’m currently having a love affair with Feral Hop Hog also.

Epiphany beer – the one that set you on the road to becoming a brewer?
I have a handful of epiphany beers. Coopers Sparkling Ale was the beer that opened my mind and made me realise that there were more than just lagers in the world.

Drinking Anchor Steam Liberty Ale and Sierra Nevada Pale Ale on my first trip to the US really opened my eyes to some of the different flavours that were possible in beer.

I tried Tripel Karmeliet once I had started brewing at Little Creatures and I was blown away by its complexity and balance.

Two-Birds-Como

Jayne (right) with fellow Bird Danielle at the 2013 MFWF Como House event

Desert island beer – the one to keep you going if you were stranded for the rest of your days?
Again, only one? Can I pick a desert island brewery? Probably Cantillon.

Favourite beer and food match?
I love the classic beer and cheese combo. Gueuze with cheese fondue is insanely delicious.

What are we likely to hear cranking from the stereo on brew days?
It’s a pretty eclectic mix from Fleetwood Mac, Hall & Oates and David Bowie to TV on the Radio, Eilen Jewell, Eddy Current Suppression Ring, Grinderman and Wagons. Also, any artist on the lineup of the next Meredith-based Music Festival. Danielle would request Silverchair on endless loop!

Favourite place to enjoy a drink?
I’m quite a fan of my own couch. If I do head out, it’s likely to be in my ‘hood on the westside of Melbourne. My current haunts are The Reverence and The Plough Hotel (Footscray), Yarra Lounge (Yarraville), The Junction Beer Hall (Newport), The Prince Albert (Williamstown) and The Park Hotel (Werribee).

If you were a beer style, what would you be?
A Gueuze. I’m pale, dry, complex, bubbly, spontaneous and a bit funky with a tart, acidic edge.

The best thing you’ve ever traded for beer?
I am a massive fan of contra and I paid for my cat, Zeke, with Little Creatures Pale Ale. I also recently swapped an entire pig for beer.

When I’m not making or drinking beer, you’ll find me…
On social media, I’m currently obsessed with Instagram.

Drinking gin (generally takes place after I’ve been drinking beer).

At a gig (probably drinking beer).

Baking (often with beer).

Planning my next nail art instalment.

Your hope for beer in Australia?
To see craft beer viewed as an equal to wine and for people to realise that beer pairs as well with food, if not better, than wine does. I would love to see more restaurants focusing on their beer lists. I look forward to the day when craft beer is so ingrained and accepted in society, that it is just part of the every day landscape.

Thanks Jayne! Now let’s see what people want to know…

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