It’s been a while since we dusted down the old Crafty Brew & A feature. Not our fault necessarily – it seems you lot are drinking so much craft beer that our beloved brewers don’t actually have time to sit down and write back to us. Still, like that crow on your windowsill that won’t shut up when you’re trying to sleep off a hangover, The Crafty Pint keeps on nagging away, hoping that the brewers realise the easiest way to shut it up is to be give it what it wants (either that or there could be a hit squad on its way to Crafty Towers to silence us for good…).
Anyway, we’re back. And back with the brewer from Van Dieman, Will Tatchell, a man who learnt his brewing trade in the UK before heading back to his parents' land in Tassie to set up his own brewery. Since starting up in 2009, things have been going so well that he’s just expanded, meaning you should be seeing more of his traditional British style ales on the mainland very soon. You’ll also find his brewery listed on this website as of 8am tomorrow, when we add the latest raft of newcomers.
Anyway, over to you Will…
Favourite Australian beer (other than your own)?
Kooinda Black IPA
Epiphany beer – the one that set you on the road to becoming a brewer?
Robinsons Old Tom (Funny – was drinking the ginger version of that just the other day…)
Desert island beer – the one to keep you going if you were stranded for the rest of your days? Stone & Wood Pacific Ale
Favourite beer and food match?
Any quality Aussie craft beer with a BBQ. Im not a massive food and beer match person.
What are we likely to hear cranking from the stereo on brew days?
Huge variety: Radiohead to Rage Against the Machine. AC/DC to Led Zeppelin. Johny Cash to Daft Punk. Chucked on Weezer the other day, which hadn’t been on for a while.
Favourite place to enjoy a drink?
Late afternoon on a western facing veranda.
If you were a beer style, what would you be?
A relaxed English pale ale with a bit of a hoppy kick.
The best thing you've ever traded for beer?
Plane ticket.
When I'm not making or drinking beer, you'll find me...
Looking after the next generation Van Dieman brewer or immersing myself in any form of sport.
Your hope for beer in Australia?
Sustained growth in craft beer driven from an industry collective encompassing all craft brewers. Continued consumer uptake and appreciation for craft beer. For Tasmania to become the ultimate beer lovers' destination.
Cheers, Will!
