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All Hands Changes Hands
All Hands Brewing House claimed the Champion Brewpub title at the 2019 Indies. And now it's become the latest brewery to change hands with Signature adding it to a portfolio that includes TGI Fridays and Foresters in Brisbane.
Mornington Peninsula’s New Old Brewery
Less than eighteen months after selling the business to Tribe Breweries, Mornington Peninsula Brewery founder Matt Bebe is back where he started – and with a new brewery and distillery on the way too.
Open For Business
Many businesses in tourist regions have been impacted badly by the current fire season. Mat from CanBEERra has compiled a list of breweries and supporting retailers in the wider Canberra region open and eager for visitors.
Unfinished Mead Business
Having moved from beer writing to brewing, Willie Simpson is planning another change of tack as he turns 70: a return to mead. And kayaking. And sourdough baking. And astronomy. And...
Best New SA Beers Of 2019
There are close to 70 brewing companies in SA now, and around 250 new beers were released in 2019. Matt King pulled together the thoughts of experts from across the state to compile our Best New SA Beers Of 2019 feature.
Crafty's Advent Calendar: Sam Füss
If you've been involved in the local beer industry over the past decade or two, you'll have a story or three to tell involving Sam Füss. The multiple trophy-winning brewer from Philter joins us for day 19 of out Advent Calendar.
Crafty's Advent Calendar: Stephen Nelsen
Stephen Nelsen has been integral to the rise of the craft brewing industry in his home state of SA and his influence crosses state lines too. We spoke to the former Brewboy for day eight of our end-of-decade Adventy Calendar.
CUB Buy Balter
The rumours swirling around the beer industry have turned out to be based in reality as CUB today confirmed they've added Balter to a stable already containing the likes of Pirate Life and 4 Pines.
The Balter Sale: Analysis
Following today's Balter sale to CUB, we spoke to an expert in the business of beer about the potential ramifications for the industry as the IBA puts out a statement about independence.
Crafty Crawls: Adelaide's Small Bars
They may not offer bars lined with taps – or lengthy bottle and can lists – but, since a 2013 law change opened the door for them, many of Adelaide's small bars have been leading the way with craft beer, with enthusiastic staff serving well curated offerings.
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Artisan Brewing: Five Years In Five Beers
They're one of the smallest brewing operations in Australia but Artisan and their Belgian-inspired ales punch well above their weight. As they celebrate a half decade of brewing, we look back over those five years via five beers.
Sauce To Open Brewpub In Cairns
Marrickville hazemeisters Sauce are heading north. They're to open a brewpub in the heart of Cairns in the middle of 2020, thanks to a new partnership with "craft accelerator" Founders First, who are already invested in Jetty Road and FogHorn.
Behind Bars: East of Everything & Rosalita's
Gen and Michael Cotter started bringing good booze to Melbourne's eastern suburbs a decade and a half ago. As they prepare to open Rosalita's – a third venue in the same building – we caught up with the team.
The Collaborators: White Labs
Chris White is a hero among brewers worldwide. His White Labs operation has been supplying a growing number of yeasts to brewers (and winemakers) for decades. We caught up with him when he was speaking at BrewCon.
Beer 'n' Spice & All Things Nice
No beer lovers trip to Bendigo is complete without a stop at Flight Bar for some spicy food and a restock of hot sauce. Now the owners have a burger joint too we caught up with them – and nicked their hot sauce recipe.
Crafty Crawls: Adelaide
Two years on from its original publication, we've updated our Crafty Crawl guide to Adelaide's pubs and bigger bars. We'll be updating our guide to the city's small bars soon too.
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.
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.
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.
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?
Blizzard's Birthday Sale
Blizzard Brewery's third birthday celebrations will likely bring mixed feelings for owner Mark Hubbard. Following serious health issues, he's decided to put the venue in the Victorian High Country up for sale.
Who Brews Heads of Noosa Beers?
When they worked the stock market, they enjoyed craft beers at the end of the day. So, a few years back, brothers Lance and Craig Masterton decided to embark on a brewing adventure of their own, with Heads of Noosa opening in early 2019.
Brew & A: Jack Beavis of Woolshed Brewery
There's few breweries in Australia with as picturesque a location as Woolshed in SA's Riverland region. At the helm for most of its existence has been Jack Beavis, a local lad who returned to Renmark to follow his brewing dream.
Who Brews On Kangaroo Island?
Matt King takes a ferry ride to Kangaroo Island where he caught up with Mike Holden, the man behind the brewery of the same name, for our Who Brews...? series.
All In Goodieson Time
One of the longest-established of South Australia's microbreweries turns ten this year. Yet, thanks to a desire to keep things small, local and family-focused, Goodieson have plotted a path that's kept them happily under the radar.
Beer Travel: The Adelaide Hills
Once better known for its wines, the Adelaide Hills have become a treasure trove for beer lovers. Here, Matt King takes a meandering tour through the many breweries, venues and bottleshops that are found throughout.
Best New SA Beers Of 2018
At the current rate of development, there will be few corners of South Australia without a brewery to call their own. So, as another big year for beer in the state comes to a close, our SA team looks back at the new releases that impressed.
Beer Garden Brews
After a career in the mines, the Butterworths moved to Port Lincoln with their kids for a seachange. They took over a mothballed bakery and now the grain deliveries are flowing again to fill the mash tun at Beer Garden Brewing.
Where Next For The Wig & Pen?
In June 2019, Canberra's Wig & Pen will turn 25. But, following its owners decision to sell, it's likely a new chapter will be underway in the brewery's tale. We chatted to Lachie McOmish about his decision and hopes for the future.
From The Pacific To The Forest
The man who created the most successful Aussie craft beer of the past decade has been back on the tools. Stone & Wood co-founder Brad Rogers has returned to hands-on brewing with the launch of the new farmhouse range Forest For The Trees.
The Winemaker, The Chef & The Brewer
Victor's Place is a brewery, winery and kitchen that represents the realisation of a dream for three mates. Matt King called into the rustic McLaren Vale venue to catch up with one of the owners to find out more.
Who Brews Heroes & Villains?
Inspired by Queens Of The Stone Age, long-term homebrewer and erstwhile salesy Shannon Mizen has launched Heroes and Villains on a brewery out the back of a Swan Valley winery. Guy Southern got in touch to find out more.
The Big Issue: Ownership Revisited III
Close to 100 brewing companies have licensed the IBA's independence seal since its launch in May. We contacted the US Brewers Association, whose campaign inspired it, to find out how they are driving the message in the States.
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.
Barrow Boys Falls. West City Rises.
One Melbourne based gypsy brewer is winding down operations as another makes a comeback. We find out more from Barrow Boys and the new owner of West City Brewing.
Crafty Crawls: Bendigo
Bendigo has come a long way on the beer front in recent years with a growing number of good beer venues, a brewery and festivals including the unique walking affair that is the annual Bendigo on the Hop.
The Business Of Beer: Where To From Here?
The acquisitions of Matso's and Mornington Peninsula Brewery by Gage Roads and Tribe Breweries respectively suggest an industry entering an era of consolidation. We asked a specialist in the business of beer what recent moves could mean.
Mornington Peninsula Brewery Joins The Tribe
Mornington Peninsula Brewery is the latest brewery to sell, becoming the newest addition to the Tribe family of businesses launched by the people behind Stockade Brew Co and the contract facility previously known as BrewPack.
Beer Travel: Cruising The Murray
Sinking a few beers on the banks of the Murray on a visit to the Woolshed Brewery is a pleasure in itself. But what about taking out one of the operation's houseboats, complete with two taps pouring the beers of your choice?
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.
Australian Brewery Sells To The Redcape Group
The Australian Brewery, which has been run by the Colosimo family since 2010, today announced it had sold to the hotel and pub group Redcape
Lessons From America
For years, the Australian industry has followed the lead of its American counterpart. So what can we learn from a beer culture that's far more ingrained than ours and has fought many of the battles facing local brewers and beer lovers today?
Crafty Crawls: South Brisbane & Beyond
Much is made of the growth in breweries in and around Brisbane, but the bar scene is no slouch either. So, less than two years after publishing a South Brisbane/West End Crawl, we've had to divide and conquer, creating two where there had been one...
Down The Road
Following Gage Roads' announcement it had bought Matso's, we spoke to head brewer and COO Aaron Heary about the sale, whether he thinks we'll see more acquisitions of this kind and what he thinks the future holds for the local beer industry.
Gage Roads Buys Matso's
Gage Roads today announced it has bought fellow WA brewing company Matso's. It is the latest major announcement from the WA brewery, which has been enjoying remarkable growth and success since buying back shares from Woolworths in 2016.
Crafty Crawls: Rozelle, Balmain and Barangaroo
Sydney's challenging topography can make it a challenge to get around. But in challenges, we see opportunity, which is why Judd Owen embarked on a mission to create a Crafty Crawl tying together some of the less easily accessed venues – with a ferry trip to boot.
Happy Valley
Clare Valley's two independent breweries are giving beer tourists more reasons to head to the region best known for its wine, with Clare Valley recently opening the doors to its impressive new cellar door and a large visitor centre taking shape at Pikes.
The Big Issue: Ownership Revisited
Back in 2015, we looked at brewing company ownership, which was becoming a topic for regular discussion in the industry. Now, following a slew of acquisitions last year and with the launch of an independence seal, we take another deep dive.
New Boys Buy Brewboys
Now a decade old, Brewboys is very much a stalwart of the SA craft beer scene. And it's got new owners now, who plan to breathe new life into the business while retaining the beers and recipes upon which its reputation has been built.
