News & Feature Stories

Who Brews BOBs Beers?

From studying chemical engineering via a wine business in Bangkok and Singapore to opening a brewpub in the former Louis Vuitton store in Surfers Paradise, the story of BOBs Beer's genesis is one of the more circuitous.

Working Title To Open Brewpub in Newstead

After operating without a brewery of their own for two years, Working Title have found a home. They're set to move into Newstead Brewing’s soon-to-be vacated brewpub in Doggett Street, Newstead, on April 1. No joke.

CBCo Take Non-Alc Craft Beer To A New Low

CBCo have entered the alcohol-free space but the brewery's approach has seen them take a different path to most other breweries. We chatted to head brewer Ash Hazell about their new Alfa Laval De-Alc Module.

Behind The Sale The Wasn't To Be

A few days on from the surprise announcement that their proposed sale to Good Drinks was off, Stomping Ground co-owner Steve Jeffares spoke to The Crafty Pint about the background to the decision and their future plans.

Clare Burnett's Award-Winning Journey

Clare Burnett spent years covering the beer industry for Brews News so her name and voice will be familiar to many. As entries open for the 2023 AIBAs, she tells us about her journey from the UK to winning last year's Best Media trophy.

Who Brews Tiny Fish Beers?

When demand for his homebrew started to outstrip the rate at which he could make it, Brett Whiting decided it was time to step up. So he launched Tiny Fish, bringing a bunch of the mates who'd been enjoying his homebrew along for the ride.

Good Drinks' Acquisition Of Stomping Ground Called Off

In a surprise announcement, Good Drinks and Stomping Ground have said they won't be going ahead with the proposed acquisition announced last year.

Newstead To Leave Their Doggett St Brewpub

Next month marks the end of an era for one of Brisbane's pioneering craft breweries, with Newstead moving out of their Doggett Street brewpub to focus on their Milton brewery venue. We chatted to the team about their future plans.

Spicy, Beery & Barrelicious

Craft beer and hot sauce share a surprisingly close bond and now one former head brewer has collaborated with his old workplace to break the barrier down further. Check out The Village Pickle's collaboration with Brisbane Brewing Co.

The Craft & Co's Preston Taproom Opens

The Craft & Co opened their Preston venue on the weekend, with the taproom adding to the Melbourne suburb's considerable crafty credentials. We chatted to founder Paul Baggio about the space and their future plans.

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Who Brews Whale Rock Beers?

It started out as a way to liven up a COVID lockdown but, with a helping hand from the team at Frenchies, the three-dads-escaping-lockdown-boredom-by-homebrewing has already morphed into Whale Rock Brewing.

Crafty Crawls: Darling Harbour & The Rocks

In the heart of Sydney and keen to enjoy some waterside views with a local beer in hand? Well, whaddya know... here's a guide to just that. Join us for a tour of the craftiest spots in Darling Harbour and The Rocks.

Under Pressure: A Perfect Storm Brewing For Beer

Today's excise tax hike completes the biggest financial year rise in decades, yet it's just one of myriad pressures on the local industry. We examine the "perfect storm" engulfing a beer world facing a fourth straight year of harsh challenges.

Who Brews & Blends Barrel Shepherd Beers?

Wollongong has always been a manufacturing city but these days it feels like much of that production is beer. The Barrel Shepherd has joined the city's thriving beer scene, bringing with it a unique tale and love for barrels, local fruit and yeast.

Hottest 100 Craft Beers Of 2022: Analysis

Mountain Culture have scored an incredible top spot with their Status Quo in the 2022 GABS Hottest 100 Craft Beers poll. Here, we dig deeper into the top 100 to see what it can tell us.

Mountain Culture Storm The GABS Hottest 100 Craft Beers Of 2022

We have a new winner in the GABS Hottest 100 Craft Beers poll for 2022, with Mountain Culture achieving a staggering result and blasting straight into top spot. Balter XPA finished second ahead of BentSpoke's Crankshaft.

Crowdfunded Brewery Future Magic Opens Today

The Future Magic team open the doors to their Brisbane brewery today. They launched their operation on the back of a crowdfunding campaign, so we chatted with co-founder Sean Astill to find out more about their approach.

Ballistic Beer Goes Into Administration

One of Queensland's most high profile independent brewing companies has gone into voluntary administration. According to a filing with ASIC dated January 24, Ballistic Beer Co have appointed PKF Melbourne as administrators.

Going Green: Bearhug Pallet Wrap

Plastic is often a necessary evil in the beer world: it can help keep beer safe but often ends up in landfill. It's an issue being tackled by Bearhug Pallet Wrap, a startup looking to move beer safely while cutting out single-use plastic.

Who Brews Aetheon Beers?

Kevin Martinovich’s fascination with all things fermented led him into a career encompassing retail, hospitality, and global travel. Now with his own brewing company, we invited him to take part in our Who Brews...? series.

La Sirène Back In Business – For Now

After a tumultuous seven weeks that would make a roller-coaster feel queasy, the team at La Sirène are set to reopen the doors to their bar today. However, the future of the popular "urban farmhouse" brewery remains unclear.

Better Together With A Better Vision

A conversation with Emily Tankey about brewing venture Better Together grew into a conversation about brewing at Brouwerij De Molen, the importance of female ownership, and the need for distinction in contract brewing.

Spotty Dog's Hobart Home Is Here At Last

It's been a long road for Spotty Dog but the Tassie brewers who launched their first beer in 2016 finally have a home in Hobart. Co-founder Klimt Donohoe told us all about their new venue and what beer lovers can expect.

Who Brews Wooden Axe Beers?

What could possibly possess someone to turn up to a homebrew competition with nothing but a couple of flannels, a homemade, lumberjack-themed jockeybox, and a keg of 9.5 percent ABV white stout? Meet the mates behind Wooden Axe.

The Collaborators: Candy Warhol's Colouring Cans

If a colouring book featuring 148 beer cans from breweries across Greater Sydney appeals to you, then you're in luck – ex-graphic designer Connor Dempsey has made one to scratch his own creative itch and support good mental health.

Who Brews Gallows Beers?

The brand may have a dark name and dark labels (and started with a dark beer), but the story of Gallows Brewing is one of sunshine as three friends were drawn back together in gorgeous Coffs Harbour to start a brewing company.

The Best Of Beer 2022: The Territories

They’re far from being neighbours and you wouldn’t draw too many similarities between the ACT and NT either, but once again we’re running the Territories together as our Best Of Beer 2022 series draws to a close.

The Best Of Beer 2022: South Australia

Our Best Of Beer 2022 series heads to South Australia for a look at the highs, lows, twists and turns via the standout moments and beers, the newcomers to the scene, and those who experienced a memorable 12 months.

The Best Of Beer 2022: Tasmania

It's time to head south for the sixth entry in The Best Of Beer 2022 series as we cross the Bass Strait to check in on a busy year of openings – both new and from existing operations – and delicious beers from around Tasmania.

The Best Of Beer 2022: Queensland

The remarkable rise of Queensland's craft beer scene continued apace in 2022, even in the face of floods and the challenges faced by the industry across Australia. Here's our take on the tumultuous 12 months that was.

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The Best Of Beer 2022: WA

Join us as our touring review of the year in beer touches down in WA. It's a cracker too, not just looking at the trends and highlights of 2022 in the state but also addressing some of the broader issues at play for beer in Australia right now.

Akasha Aim To Open A Newcastle Brewpub

Not content with opening one new venue in 2022, Akasha have seen off the year by acquiring The Edwards in Newcastle. We chatted to founder Dave Akasha about the purchase and their plans to install a brewery.

The Best Of Beer 2022: Victoria

It's been a funny old year in Victoria, with pioneers looking to exit the industry and many more battered from all sides. But there's been a whole lot of good beer and beautiful moments too; here we take a look at what stood out.

The Best Of Beer 2022: NSW

From Bondi to Bangalow, craft beer continued to crop up in more corners of New South Wales during 2022. Join us as we attempt to make sense of it all via the standout moments, beers and new arrivals from the past 12 months.

The Best Of Beer 2022

Christmas is approaching so it must be time for us to look back at the year just gone. And in a change from past years, we're kicking off with a look at the standout themes of 2022 on a national scale.

Your Mates To Open A Bowlo in 2023

Your Mates have already enjoyed an impressive 2022 and, as they year draws to a close, they've got one more major announcement up their sleeve. They're set to open a bowls club of their own in 2023 in the town of Cooroy.

The Making Of A Champion Hazy

There's a lot of beer available and a lot of it's good but what separates a good beer from a great one? And what exactly goes on at beer judging? To find out, we spent three days tracing the judging of the Juicy-Hazy category and spoke to the brewer behind the overall winner to find out what makes a Champion Hazy Beer.

Future Mountain's Reservoir Brewpub Up For Sale

Future Mountain have listed their Reservoir brewery and venue for sale – but it's not what it seems. The founders plan to move to different parts of Victoria with their families and create a new Future Mountain with two rural bases.

Beer Cartel To Be Online Only In 2023

Beer Cartel are closing their physical store in Sydney at the start of next year, with the popular beer retailer deciding to move their operation entirely online. We spoke to co-founder Richard Kelsey about the decision and their future plans.

Found Further Afield: FOUND. Lab

With construction on their ambitious Perth Girls School project pushed back, the team behind FOUND. are set to launch a new venture in the meantime. FOUND. Lab will open south of Perth in early 2023, and could become their "wild workshop".

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Capital Brewing: Five Years In Five Beers

It's been an impressive 2022 for Capital. Their green credentials have shone brightly and it also marks five years since their Fyshwick brewery opened. To mark the milestone, we invited them to head down Memory Lane.

Who Brews Good Folk Beers?

Newcastle's beer lovers have another brewery of their own after two well-known local publicans ventured into brewing for the first time. We caught up with the team at Good Folk Brewing as they opened their doors to the public.

The Collaborators: Beer Fans

Branded t-shirts, hats and hoodies have become a major part of craft beer. But when you've got beer to make, merch isn't always at the top of your to-do list. Enter Beer Fans: a business built to make beer merch easier.

Phantasm: The Ghost Coming To Your Beer

Hops and their vibrant aromatics create much excitement among beer fans but a ghostly new flavour is attracting attention among brewers. That ghost is Phantasm, so we chatted to the man behind it and one of the first local brewers to try it.

Pirate Life To Open South Melbourne Venue

Pirate Life are opening a venue in South Melbourne next year. It will be Pirate Life's first home on Australia's east coast, located near the iconic South Melbourne Market, and is set to pour beers from their Port Adelaide home.

The Story Behind La Sirène's Recent Closure

La Sirène have been locked out of their brewery and forced to close their bar indefinitely after traces of asbestos were found in buildings at the Melbourne Innovation Centre. They're unsure when they'll reopen with cleaning set to last into 2023.

Who Brews Cosmo Beers?

Brewing good beer isn't enough for the couple behind Cosmo Brewing. They want the Bathurst-based operation to be a force for good too. We got in touch for a chat about foraged fruit, community values, and serendipitous saison.

The Suburban Brew Open Their Second Taproom Today

Adelaide's beer drinkers can walk into a new brewery built by familiar faces from today as The Suburban Brew open a second home in the 'burbs. Before they swung open the doors in Glynde, we got in touch for a chat.

Moon Dog Plan To Take Over Franco Cozzo Footscray

Moon Dog plan to build a new home in Melbourne's most iconic furniture store, with the brewery submitting an application to redevelop Franco Cozzo in Footscray. We chatted with cofounder Karl van Buuren to find out more.

Brew & A: Carla Naismith

Brewing isn't a career many chose while in school and, while Carla Naismith is no different, she soon discovered a passion for the industry she's never been able to shake. We invited Shapeshifter's senior brewer to join us for a Brew & A.