melbourne
Drink Smart
Greater education for people in all areas of the beer world is much needed in Australia. And now it's on offer at an unlikely location as one of the world's leading universities adds a subject dedicated to beer to its prospectus.
Who Brews Once Bitter?
The founder of one of Melbourne's newest brewing companies first discovered a love for brewing in a place few could claim to have found theirs: the kitchen of an Israeli boarding school. We meet the man behind Collins St Brewing Co.
Who Brews Co-Conspirators Beers?
Melbourne's Merri Mashers is proving fertile ground for new brewing companies. A week after Old Wives Ales celebrated turning one, Co-Conspirators Brewing Co is set to launch its first beer, an IPA.
Star Crossed Clubbers
As the Australian beer landscape becomes ever more crowded, brewers are seeking innovative ways to get beer to market and rise above the noise. Club Brewing is one such operation – one that comes with added star power.
The Story Of: Mountain Goat Hightail
This month sees Mountain Goat turn 19, which means its first beer, Hightail, is also turning 19. A year on from the brewery's purchase by Asahi, we spoke to its brewer, Dave Bonighton, about the beer then and now.
All Change At Kooinda
After years of changing ownership, management and brewers – plus concerns over consistency – a new team at Kooinda hopes a brand refresh and the outsourcing of much brewing will see the much-loved brewery rise again.
Brew & A: La Sirène Ben
Costa Nikias is the face of La Sirène, Melbourne's "urban farmhouse" brewery. But, through 2016, a brewer previously at Beavertown has become central to all things La Sirene. He's Ben Turley and is the focus of this Brew & A.
Beer Food: The Chuck Norris of Collingwood
When you've got a brewery, restaurant, bar and deli under one roof, it makes sense to cross-pollinate. And that's what they're doing at The Craft & Co where the symbiosis between beer and food goes beyond simple pairing.
Who Brews Footscray Ale?
Melbourne's west is enjoying a boom in both brewing and beer venues. West City Brewing is, for now, a gypsy operation that has been enjoying success with its hoppy Footscray Ale and hopes to open a place in the west soon.
By The Power Of Dainton
It's been a long time coming for Dainton Family Brewery but they're close to brewing in their own brewery. As they celebrated, Kerry McBride sat down with Dan Dainton and father Kevin to chat about the winding road that led them to Carrum Downs.
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A Day In The Life Of: A Beer Rep
Ever wondered what it's like to work in the beer world? Is it as much fun as you think it would be? And what skills do you need to take on roles in the beer industry? A Day In The Life Of seeks to answer those questions and more. Starting with #replife.
Crafty Crawls: The Wild West
Melbourne's Wild Wild West was, not too long ago, something of a craft beer wasteland. But today that couldn't be further from the truth, as Will Ziebell discovers on a crafty wander through Footscray and its surrounding 'burbs.
The Northside Busts Out Another Newie
Melbourne's northside is set to welcome another brewpub. Hot on the heels of Stomping Ground's pre-opening shindig on the opening weekend of Good Beer Week, Bodriggy in Abbotsford is hosting a gig in the former mechanics it will one day call home.
Crafty Crawls: Richmond & Abbotsford
Hot on the heels of our first Crafty Crawl – a guide to the craftiest spots on the 86 tram – here's another. Kerry McBride has been out in her local 'burbs to pick out some of the best beer venues to check out in Richmond and Abbotsford.
Craft Beer Heroes: Kate Paterson
Craft Beer Heroes is a series that shines a spotlight on people doing great things for beer in Australia, including the unsung heroes. Kate Paterson is truly one of those: you may never have heard of her, but she's probably given you a good time.
Pint of Origin 2016 Preview Pt I
The ever popular Pint of Origin returns to Good Beer Week for a fifth time in 2016 bigger than ever. As well as a dozen Melbourne venues, there are two regional showcases in Geelong and Bendigo and a PoO Bus, hosted by The Crafty Pint.
2 Brothers 2.0
Melbourne's southeast may be turning into a hub for microbreweries these days, but it was 2 Brothers who were first to set up stall there. With their Beer Hall just redesigned and expanded, we called in to find out what else is new.
Colonising the East
When asked to forecast five breweries to watch out for in 2016 for James Halliday's Wine Companion magazine, we included Colonial. The WA brewery has long had the potential to explode; its new Eastern outpost should see that happen.
The Story Of: Boatrocker Ramjet
For the second in our series looking at the story behind some of the coolest, most iconic or most sought after beers in Australia we showcase Boatrocker's Ramjet. The imperial stout even has its own day, with the first Ramjet Day on April 9, 2016.
Eastbound And Down
The southeastern suburbs of Melbourne are now home to a remarkable number of breweries. Kerry McBride spoke to some of the brewers now – or very soon to be – calling the area home about what makes it so appealing.
Who Brews Hair Of The Dog XPA?
They met as part of the Merri Mashers, one of the youngest yet most proactive home brew clubs in Victoria, then decided that if they were making good beer, while not test it out on the public. And thus was born Old Wives Ales.
Bowling for Brews
Many bowling clubs have embraced easy-going evenings of Barefoot Bowling to help them survive. Others are turning to craft beer. Kerry McBride joined brewers, beer lovers and bowlers at Melbourne's Flem-Ken Bowlo to find out why.
Frothing At The Mag
Beer-loving historical book editor Emily Day wanted a beer mag to read while drinking in her favourite Melbourne pubs. So she went and created one. The first edition of Froth is out now.
Same Same But Different
Mountain Goat's new GM tells us that nothing will be changing at the brewery since Asahi's takeover, other than the brewery having access to Asahi's greater reach. Meanwhile, what does the news mean for beer in Australia?
Flaming Gala
A visit to the Good Beer Week Gala Showcase in March led one beer lover to launch his own beer business. We joined Ben's Brew Tours on one of its first tours.
To Serve Brewmanity
An unlikely alliance between Melbourne's beer and footy worlds has been formed with a mission to raise awareness and funds to fight motor neurone disease through beer. Andrew Tijs joined the Brewmanity team on brew day.
James Halliday Feature: Rise of the Brewpub
Amid all the new brewing companies launching across Australia, the brewpub format is proving increasingly popular. Crafty Pint founder James Smith spoke to the men behind two of the newest.
Finely Crafted Comedy
When the Melbourne Fringe starts next week, craft beer will be on the lineup as home brewing, beer hawking standup Blake Willoughby takes his "Brewed Thoughts" on stage.
Beers Out Back
It took Ben Carwyn longer than he hoped to add a bar to his Thornbury store. But, as its first birthday approaches, the Backroom Bar at Carwyn Cellars has already become something of a north Melbourne institution.
Beer Nuts: The Beer Drinkers
Beertography has become quite the thing. And few, is any, Aussies are doing it as well as The Beer Drinkers, two mates from Hobart and Melbourne – our latest Beer Nuts.
The Great Craft Beer Taste Off
We love blind tasting beers at The Crafty Pint. Later this month, Forester's Hall is offering drinkers the chance to have a go themselves. Kerry McBride asks why you should give it a go.
From Cider To Rider
There are clear advantages to having a home brewery in a garage that faces onto the street. For one, there’s the opportunity for a spot of people watching while the boil does its thing. What’s more,…
