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Crafty Crawls: Freo – South & North

Back in November 2016, we published a Crafty Crawl guide to the best beer venues in Freo. As the scene there continues to grow, we return to take in venues both south and north of the city's bustling tourist-friendly heart.

Good Beer Week & The IBA Become One

The country's leading beer week and the national body representing Australia's independent brewers have today announced they are to merge with both parties confident the move will help both achieve more in the future.

Forrest Fells New Ground

Otways brewery Forrest has unveiled ambitious plans for the future. The brother and sister team behind the brewery have secured $1.49m in government funding and plan to create a large brewery and venue in a historic timber mill.

Toe The Line

The Independent Brewers Association has today released an exhaustive set of labeling guidelines for brewers. The aim is to ensure they are compliant and aware of anything that could potentially get them into hot water or hold them back.

Spirituous Away

The rise of craft brewers and distillers is creating ever more chances for cross-pollination. As Wolf of the Willows launches its Barrel Exchange Program with Lark, we speak to them as well as the small Gippsland operation blending boozes in house.

Festive Adventage

Since their debut in Australia just a handful of years ago, beer-filled advent calendars have become remarkably popular, with thousands expected to be sold this year. Will Ziebell spoke to some of the people putting them together.

Behind Bars: Hopheads

Back in the early days of The Crafty Pint, Adrian Chong was one of the keenest beer lovers we'd see at events across Melbourne. Since then, he's opened craft beer bars in Malaysia and recently added a second Hopheads in Melbourne's west.

Beer Springs In Alice

The challenges of establishing a craft beer scene in the Northern Territory are greater than any other region of Australia. But the past few years have seen one start to take shape, with Alice Springs Brewing Co the latest addition.

Golden Glory For Aussie Brewers In Japan

It's been another successful excursion to the International Beer Cup in Japan for Australian brewers. Both Mountain Goat and Edge picked up gold, silver and bronzes with Brisbane's White Lies completing the picture with a bronze.

Sydney Brewery Returns To Sydney

Five years after it brewed its last beer in the city, the Sydney Brewery has returned to its roots with the opening of a new brewery in Surry Hills.

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Going Green: Grants

In an article on the business of beer, an expert raised the issue of government grants and how few breweries were taking advantage. Here, a specialist on cutting the cost of business explains just how easy it could be for brewers to cash in.

The Vinification Of Beer

Barrel-ageing, mixed fermentation and the mimicking of wine in presenting certain beers isn't new. Yet the blurring of lines between beer and wine continues apace. We speak to brewers and somms operating on the frontier.

The Collaborators: Big Malt Thinking Small

The rise of craft beer continues to have an affect on the industries surrounding it, with large scale malt producers Joe White and Barrett Burston both introducing new lines designed with small breweries in mind.

Hawkers Takes Out Another Trophy In London

The International Beer Challenge in London has long proved a happy hunting ground for Australian brewers. And, in 2018, it's Hawkers with its hands on silverware again, adding the Brewer of the Year for Oceania to past wins.

Beer Travel: Bali, Hops, Water & Yeast I

"Is there any good beer in Bali?" Our intrepid writer Mick Wust followed the well-trodden path to one of the most popular holiday destinations for Australians and set out to discover whether those with crafty palates can find satisfaction.

The Gypsy Lifestyle

As Barrow Boys winds down and West City Brewing makes a comeback under new ownership, we speak to three other brewers about the challenges facing gypsy/cuckoo/contract brewers in today's evolving beer world.

The Big Issue: Copyright Or Wrong?

Borrowing from pop culture is one way in which many breweries have fun with their beers and branding. But is there a danger of overstepping the mark? And what are the consequences for anyone that does?

Crafty Crawls: Brisbane's West End

Brisbane's West End (and the adjoining parts of the city) is awash with great beer venues these days. Heck, there are even breweries that call the 'burb home. So we made the area a focus of a Crafty Crawl – and have since updated it with even more goodness.

The Collaborators: Feeling Animated

With more beers fighting for tap and fridge space than ever before, the challenge of capturing beer drinkers' attention has never been greater. Label manufacturer Graphix is hoping a moving new development will appeal to brewers looking to stand out.

Aussie Exports: Natalie Wollenberg

From Darwin via Perth to a small "island" in Ontario, it's been a long road from first homebrews to commercial brewing. But, says Aussie Export Natalie Wollenberg, since their opened 555 Brewing Co, it's been full on.

Australian International Beer Awards Winners 2018

It was an eclectic collection of winners at the 2018 Australian International Beer Awards, with WA's Beerland taking out Champion Australian Beer and other major trophies for Mountain Goat, Green Beacon, Black Hops, Fixation, Brownstone, Philter and even one of our own.

Around The Blend

There will be many new beers launched at Good Beer Week and GABS next week, but none quite like Woods Of The North: it's a blend of barrel aged beers from five Australian brewers. We chatted to two of the brewers involved about the art of blending.

The Good Beer Run

On May 13, one man and his supporters will be taking the "Good" in Good Beer Week to another level. Steven Blaine is hosting the inaugural Good Beer Run to raise money for the fight against Huntington's Disease, inspired by hi mum Lenore.

World Beer Cup Winners 2018

James Squire, Nail and BentSpoke all won medals at the prestigious World Beer Cup in Nashville today (or last night US time). Will Ziebell caught up with Nail's John Stallwood as he knocked back a celebratory VPA.

Aussie Exports: Craig Thorn of BAOS

He's a hip hop artist who runs a Canadian beer podcast, YouTube channel and writes about beer too. But, before that, Craig Thorn was in Melbourne drinking macro lagers and feeling fancy. Now, as part of our Aussie Exports series, he tells us how that all changed.

The Collaborators: Clint Weaver

The Collaborators is the series in which we shine a spotlight on people and businesses working in tandem with the craft beer world. Here, we meet a designer whose work adorns beer magazines, cans, decals and even a pub.

QLD Govt Launches Craft Brewing Strategy

As the fifth Brewsvegas draws to a close, Queensland brewers have been given a boost by the state government with the announcement that a Queensland Craft Brewing Strategy will be drawn up to help the industry's expansion.

Who Brews Into Six Tanks?

Slowly but surely, a craft beer scene is taking shape in and around Darwin. Six Tanks Brew Co is playing a key role, brewing a range of beers onsite that share the venue's 26 taps with other local and independent Australian brewers.

Aussie Exports: Jess Wolfgang

Jess Wolfgang spent years working with Keith Grice at Hunter Beer Co before being convinced to move to her partner's homeland in New Zealand. Together, they started Rhyme and Reason in Wanaka, where they brew local beer for anyone enjoying the town's splendour.

Brewsvegas 2018 Launches

Brisbane's citywide celebration of good beer and the community that surrounds it is ready to roll. There's more than 70 events at 50 venues over the next ten days, including Pint of Origin showcasing the best of Australia, the US and New Zealand.

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Fresh, Wet, Green & Hoppy

Hop harvest has started across Australia, with the first fresh or wet hop beers already hitting taps and fridges. But what are they and why are more and more brewers looking to brew them every year?

Bigger. Brighter.

It's been a big few weeks for Bright Brewery. One of the first breweries to open in the Victorian High Country opened a second production facility this month and, at the weekend, took out a Silver Award at the Australian Tourism Awards.

Pirate Life Lands A $2 Million Bounty

Pirate Life took a massive step towards the completion of its proposed $15m second brewery site today with the announcement that the SA State Government has given the business a $2 million grant.

The 2018 Brewsvegas Program Is Live

Brisbane is home to one of the most vibrant and fun beer communities you'll come across. Brewsvegas is the week of the year in which that community celebrates everything that's best about beer. And, as of today, the program for the 2018 festival is live.

We're Gonna Need A Bigger Shed

Big Shed Brewing Concern is set to get a whole lot bigger after they announced plans for a $2.5m expansion. They were joined by SA Premier Jay Weatherill, whose government is providing more than one million dollars in grant funding and a low interest loan.

Behind The Hottest 100 Beers Of 2017

There were plenty of stories and talking points to be found in this year's GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers results. Here, we chat to the brewers behind four of them, from Balter, BentSpoke, Black Hops and Hop Nation.

Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers of 2017: The Results

The results from the GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers poll are set to be revealed from 100 to one on January 27. We'll be announcing the results as they come in here from 12.35pm AEDT before publishing our analysis and annual infographic.

The View From The Top

When we published our series of Best New Beers features for 2017, there was one thing missing: an entry for the Northern Territory. With a new brewery opening soon, that may change in 2018. For now, an update from NT's original craft brewery, One Mile.

Who Brews Mitta Mitta Beers?

​The town of Mitta Mitta, in Victoria’s northeast, is a place better know for dairy farms and outdoor pursuits. But now it's got a brewery too so we asked founder and brewer Tim Cabelka to join us for the latest in our Who Brews? series. ​

Bright Bares All For Mental Health

The issue of mental health is one that's been discussed increasingly openly in the beer world over the past year. Now, Bright Brewery's staff are looking to raise funds and awareness via the release of a new calendar in which they bare all.

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Best New ACT Beers Of 2017

With new openings, new venues and growth aplenty, it's been a big year in beer for the nation's capital. Here, we sift through around 40 new releases from ACT's brewing companies and try to agree upon the best.

Through The Looking Glass II

As in 2017, we attempt to peer into the future and decipher where the industry is headed and what issues are likely to dominate the coming 12 months. From independence and education to packaging and brewpubs, here's our thoughts on what lies ahead.

Best New Victorian Beers Of 2017

It's the state with the most brewing companies in Australia, which means there were plenty of new beers to taste in 2017. So, we cast our net wider than ever before seeking input before getting our panel together to select ten of the very best new Victorian releases of the year.

Kicking Goals

The connections between the country's smaller brewers and professional sports continue to grow. Stomping Ground is now pouring beers at Melbourne City home games, Six String has released a Central Coast Mariners beer and the trend looks likely to grow.

Confusion Deposit Scheme

New legislation designed to tackle litter in New South Wales is set to go live this Friday. Yet there are serious and growing concerns throughout the craft beer industry that the scheme is flawed and is set to affect small brewers disproportionately.

Crafty Crawls: The Hunter Valley

It's not all wine, you know. The Hunter Valley now has four breweries amid the vines. Neil Richardson took a tour of them all for this Crafty Crawl.

Decapod Grog

Help save the world's largest freshwater invertebrate by drinking beer! Moo Brew has partnered with The Wilderness Society to raise money to help protect the endangered Tasmanian giant freshwater lobster.

I'd Buy That For A Dollar

Wu-Tang Clan, Papua New Guinean bank notes, Norwegian farmhouse brewing, truffle cheese, German techno DJs and pseudo-Lambic ales... It's fair to say Ballarat based Dollar Bill Brewing isn't your common or garden brewing company. We caught up with the couple behind it.

Brew & A: Keith Grice

The Hunter Valley today boasts quite the collection of diverse microbreweries. But, for many years, there was just one: the Hunter Beer Co based at Potters Hotel. Keith Grice has been at the brewing helm for the past decade; we find out more.

Cans, Bands and Beer Lands

The combination of good music and craft beer has become a common sight at music festivals across the United States. In Australia, progress is slower, but the ironclad grip of the big boys is slowly loosening and local Australian breweries are sneaking their way in.