Articles by Ben Hopkins
Ben Hopkins is a journalist who has swapped writing about footy and emergency services for something a little more his speed (and his taste).
Ben loves the Brisbane Lions and the Phoenix Suns, which may explain his hopeful attitude and terrific ability to deal with disappointment.
The beer(s) or moment(s) that turned me on to good beer:
Moving to Ballarat from Melbourne at 21 for work had a massive impact on the beer I enjoyed. I lived directly behind one of Ballarat's best craft beer pubs, The Mallow, and while my go-to was often Melbourne Bitter off the tap, getting to try all of the crazy new beers on rotation each week was always something I looked forward to and really opened my eyes to how different beers could be.
You've got three beers to turn someone else on to good beer; what are they and why?
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Dollar Bill Brewing Learning To Breathe Barrel Aged Golden Sour - The amazing folks at Dollar Bill opened my eyes to sour beer and I’ve never looked back. My personal favourite is Learning To Breathe, which is a great sour for people who are wanting to dabble in the market.
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Blackman’s Brewery Mervyn Pale Ale - I get down to the coast a fair bit and when I’m there with mates a trip to Blackman’s is always on the cards. They have such a great range of beers, but to help someone ease into drinking good beer, Mervyn is your man.
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Balter Brewing XPA - Accessible, award-winning and bloody delicious. What more do you want me to say?
The last beer you enjoyed (at time of writing):
Mountain Culture Daily Dose Passionfruit Gose over a lovely home cooked pasta dish at a friend's home. Great company, great beer.
Three things that represent you:
- My partner Elle
- Violent Soho
- Only just being able to dunk a basketball
Who Brews Freshie Beers?
Much noise has been made about the craft beer hub that is Sydney's inner west, but the Northern Beaches are home to a growing number of local brewers too. We caught up with the founder of the newest: Freshwater Brewing.
Who Brews Lake Mac Beers?
It started out as a money-saving hobby, became a rather more expensive one, and ultimately turned into part of the craft beer culture on the NSW coast between Sydney and Newcastle. We got in touch to find out who brews Lake Mac beers.
Penguin Takes Flight On The Island State
Scott Seymour was one of the key players in the rise of craft beer in Bendigo. When he moved to Tasmania with wife Tara, he was planning a new career in health and aged care, but it turns out beer and brewing weren't done with him...
In League With Local Brewers
Partnerships between craft beer and sport aren't exactly new in Australia, but the growing number of connections between local beer and league across New South Wales is impressive.
Brew & A: Matt Cuthbert
He's brewed for many Australian brewing companies across three states, and has been at Revel since the Brisbane operation launched. Here, Matt Cuthbert traces his brewing career from high school to head brewer.
No Gluten. All Gold
One of the most eye-catching moments at the 2021 AIBAs was O'Brien Beer's six golds in the Specialty category. We chatted to the founder of the GF beer pioneers as they come to the end of an equity crowdfunding campaign.
Who Brews South Yeast Beers?
South Yeast Brewing is a family affair that's also one of the latest breweries to call the New South Wales south coast home. As part of our long-running Who Brews series, we caught up with the twins behind the operation.
Who Brews Smart Brothers Beers?
The Smart Brothers were born in England, but started brewing after moving to Australia. We chatted to them about their small batch operation on the Mornington Peninsula where they look to blend both their homes in one.
Who Brews Precinct Beers?
The Gold Coast's transformation into one of the country's most exciting craft beer hotspots has been little short of remarkable. We got in touch with the team at one of the region's freshest, Precinct Brewing in Miami.
The Collaborators: Good Ale Forever
Eden Brewery have always supported good causes since launching in 2017. These days, that work includes Good Ale, a pale ale launched in partnership with Forever Projects that sends funds to help families in need in Tanzania.
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Brew & A: Currumbin Valley Brewing
As GABS returns after a year of cancellations, we catch up with the duo behind the People's Choice winning beer from 2019, Smokey and Luke of Currumbin Valley Brewing.
Who Brews SixTwelve Beers?
SixTwelve Brewing was opened in late 2020 by husband and wife team Brad and Alle Reid. We got in touch to find out more about the brewpub operation for our long-running Who Brews...? series.
Ramblers Bring Brewing Back To Hawthorn
Hawthorn is a Melbourne suburb that boasts an early claim to craft beer but in recent years it hasn't seen the same spread of local breweries compared to many other inner-city neighbourhoods. Ramblers Ale Works are set to change that when they open the doors next month and we caught up with the two Bens behind the brewery to find out more.
Who Brews & Distils In Nagambie?
Nagambie's a popular destination for Melburnians seeking a weekend away, best known for its impressive lake and surrounding wineries. For close to two years, it's become known as a spot for craft beer and spirits too.
Thinking Drinking
A trio of uni mates have been bringing skills picked up in their studies to the world of brewing. Now, after honing their talents as part of Monash Uni's Brewlab, they're releasing beers with innovation at their heart to the public.
Who Brews Rare Bird Beers?
They've known each other for 30 years and all brewed at home before joining forces to release beers commercially as Rare Bird Brewing. We got in touch with the tiny Hurstbridge operation to find out more.
Brew Dudes: Agents Of Chaos, Laughter & Beer
We often feel that a few drinks can make us funny but fortunately for the Brew Dudes, their craft stands apart from craft beer. As they reach the halfway mark of their Melbourne International Comedy Festival show that's dedicated to beer, we caught up with the duo behind the outfit to find out more.
Who Brews Bucketty's Beers?
They hoped to open a brewpub in their hometown of Bucketty's, but when council rejected their plans took the good times to Brookvale. We caught up with the man behind the Northern Beaches' newest brewpub.
The Nomads Hightail It Into Mudgee
The family behind Nomad Brewing and Experienceit Beverages have opened a second brewery in collaboration with a group of locals. Three Tails Brewery and Smokehouse opened in Mudgee – their "home away from home" – on Good Friday.
Heading Out For A Few Bo Gurks
Bo Gurks is a new bar in Melbourne's southeast with a nonsense name but serious dedication to craft beer. We chatted to founder Jarred Turnbull and the team at nearby Alice Rebel's to hear how Bayside residents are embracing local.
Want to know more?
Hatching More Batches
Batch Brewing Co is hoping to open a series of taprooms around New South Wales as a stepping stone to further expansion interstate. And it's hoping to achieve this through equity crowdfunding.
"This Girl Can Brew"
For International Women's Day 2021, we chatted to five women making waves in the local beer industry.
Tell 'Em Benny Sent Ya
How does joining an award-winning comedy writer attempting to channel Anthony Bourdain on a tour of breweries (and beaches, big things, and kebab shops) sound? We caught up with the man behind new web series Benny Sent Ya.
The Big Issue: The Future Of Beer Fests II
Six months ago, we asked what beer festivals might look like in the new COVID-altered landscape. As events start to make their comeback, we revisited the topic to see what else has been learned and what might lie ahead.
Who Brews Green Gully Beers?
The discovery of a beer he'd helped his dad bottle way back in 1976 sparked Luke Smith's love for brewing. These days, he's the man behind Phillip Island's Green Gully Brewing, producing beers from a farm shed around another job.
Everybody! Beerstreet's Back, Alright!
Have you ever wondered what it would be like if a trio of opera singers with more than 20 years of experience came together to create a beer review show? Of course not. But, if you had, you're in luck...
A Book About Beer Geeks. For Beer Geeks. By A Beer Geek
SA beer writer Matt King has just released his first book. The Chronicles of Nelson Smart: Beer Connoisseur/Geek is a novel based loosely on Matt's experiences in the Aussie craft beer world over the past decade and is out now.
Who Brews At Snapper Point?
Why do you brew? "I love drinking beer." We got in touch with the man behind tiny SA brewing company Snapper Point to find out why he decided to make the move from homebrewing to pro brewing.
Who Brews The Hard Road Way?
Hard Road Brewing might have been a new name when they opened just before COVID-19 forced their brewpub doors to close. But the Bayswater team is far from new to beer, bringing together two existing Victorian operations.
Who Brews Moana Beers?
Two decades after first trying homebrewing, Mark Roberts decided to take the plunge and release beers commercially. Today, he's focused on his MPA, dedicated to the coastal lifestyle of his hometown of Moana.
Crafty Crawls: Ballarat
Ballarat is a city with a fine heritage when it comes to beer and brewing. It's one that continues today, where pioneering experimentalists rub shoulders with blenders, brewpubs and classic boozers.
Native Flavours. Great Intentions
Spinifex Brewing Co is an Aboriginal- and veteran-owned brewing company aiming to showcase native flavours to the world, all while supporting military mental health services.
Who Brews In Karratha?
It's one of the most remote breweries in Australia, but after surviving year one in good shape, the team at North West Brewing in Karratha are expanding and looking forward to sending beer outside the Pilbara.
Who Brews Straddie Beers?
Anyone who's visited North Stradbroke Island – or Straddie – will know it's a gem of a place. These days, it also has a brewing company producing beers inspired by its natural beauty. We got in touch to find out more.
2020: The Year In Beer – NT
The Northern Territory may have lost much of its tourism trade in 2020, but support from the local community and a willingness to adapt ensured brewers were able to end the year on the up.
Summer On The South Coast
A year ago, instead of preparing to celebrate New Year's Eve, many in Australia were fighting for their lives, including those on the NSW South Coast. We caught up with some of the region's beer people as they look forward to a brighter summer.
Jervis Bay: Fighting Fit One Year On
Jervis Bay Brewing Co opened as bushfires swept the region, closed to the public due to COVID-19 months later, yet are looking forward with optimism after celebrating their first anniversary in the lead up to Christmas.
A Beer World Legend Retires. Into A New Job
After more than three decades of brewing beer and teaching others how to, Peter Aldred decided to retire. It didn't last long, as he swapped the brewing courses of Federation Uni for the brew deck of new Ballarat brewpub Aunty Jacks.
Hepburn Springs A Surprise
Hepburn Springs Brewing Co's trophy triumph at the 2020 Indies was one of the highlights of the night. We got in touch with the tiny family-run operation to find out more about their inspiring win.
BrewBox: Making Homebrewing Simpler
A pair of 4 Pines brewers have launched a new business designed to ease people into the world of craft brewing at home. We chatted to Henry and Dylan about their hopes for BrewBox.
Postcards from the Edge No.60: Distilled Good Times
Left with kegged beer that no longer had a home when the pandemic hit, both Sparkke Change and Stone & Wood decided to turn it into something else.
Craft Beer For Dogs
Dogs feature heavily in the beer community: there are brew dogs, events for dogs, breweries named after dogs, social accounts featuring dogs as heavily as beer. And now there are craft beer treats for dogs too.
The Rise Of Activebeer
We're already written numerous times about non-alcoholic beer in 2020. Now, two Aussie companies are looking to take things a step further when it comes to healthy drinking with the launch of beers designed for enjoyment post-exercise.
Heading Sou'East To Sou'West
One of brewing's elder statesmen is on the move after thirteen years in the Otway Ranges. We caught up with Luke Scott to chat about his decision to switch Prickly Moses for new Torquay brewery Sou'West and a job closer to family.
