Articles by Crafty Pint
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.
Black Mark For Black Hops?
The marketing around a new release from Gold Coast brewery Black Hops has come in for fierce criticism, described as sexist and even "rapey" in nature and, according to one brewer that has contacted The Crafty Pint, represents "a new low for Australian craft beer".
Balter Top 2018 Craft Beer Survey
Balter has continued its run of success, named Australia's best brewery in the third Australian Craft Beer Survey. More than 18,000 people took part in the survey run by Sydney retailer Beer Cartel.
Our Man In NZ: The Game Changer
There are plenty of far larger and higher profile beer competitions in New Zealand and Australia but, arguably, none as influential. Our Man In NZ travels back in time to trace the evolution of the annual West Coast IPA Challenge.
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.
Brew & A: Joel Nash of Innate Brewers
Innate Brewers has been quietly building a reputation and amassing silverware from its cosy brewery in Spearwood, WA. Now they've expanded their original kit, we chatted to brewer Joel Nash 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.
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.
Pirate Life & Lord Nelson Take Top Trophies in Sydney
Two very different beers from two very different breweries took the top trophies at the 2018 Sydney Royal Beer & Cider Show. Pirate Life's Mosaic IPA took yet another piece of silverware, with Lord Nelson scooping Champion Draught Beer.
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More Sporting Success For Gage Roads
As Gage Roads secures pouring rights at another major stadium, we ask their head of marketing for his thoughts on what the future holds based upon his two decades in and around craft beer in Australia.
Crafty Cabal Update – August 2018
Fancy getting your hands on free festival tickets, cases of mixed beer, free brewery tours, tasting paddles galore and invites to exclusive events? Then you need to check out the latest update for Crafty supporters.
The Beer In North Korea
If you're a regular reader of The Crafty Pint, chances are high you've been on your fair share of brewery tours. But one in North Korea? We got in touch with the man leading the first of its kind for tourists to find out more about the DPRK beer scene.
AB InBev Buys Online Retailer BoozeBud
The world's largest beer company has moved into the local retail market with the acquisition of online business BoozeBud. AB InBev's global venture capital arm, ZX Ventures, announced the purchase today.
Crafty Dozen – July 2018
It's time to round up the dozen most recent new additions to the Crafty Pint directory in case you missed them when they were first posted. Here it's all breweries and bars, hailing from along the East Coast and across to Margaret River too.
Best Beers Of 2018 – So Far
With the number of breweries continuing to grow and many putting out more limited releases, it's ever harder to keep track of everything. But, with the help of 60-odd contributors, here's our take on the best new releases of 2018 to date.
The Smith Street Beer
A tradition at Brisbane's Beer InCider Experience is for the headline band to brew a beer. For the 2018 festival, this has seen The Smith Street Band create an IPA with the crew set to open a brewpub in Smith Street: Fixation.
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.
Perth Royal Beer Awards Winners 2018
Pirate Life took out the Champion Beer trophy for their Mosaic IPA at the 2018 Perth Royal Beer Awards, where local brewers dominated and the Champion Brewery titles went to Lion (Large) and 3 Ravens (Small).
The Big Issue: Ownership Revisited II
Last month, we returned to the topic of ownership. Then, we sought the views of people predominantly operating in the independent sector. Here, we follow up with the views of those who own or work for formerly independent beer brands that are now part of larger businesses.
The Big Issue: Who Owns Your Beer?
If ownership of a product is important to you as a buyer, choosing from a fridge of beers has never been trickier, particularly if you're shopping at one of the country's two major retailers. Here, following recent of acquisitions, we look at who owns some of the country's beer brands.
The 2018 Australian Craft Beer Survey Launches
Since launching two years ago, the Beer Cartel annual craft beer survey has rapidly become a great gauge of the local beer scene. In 2017, more than 17,000 people responded and now you have a chance to take part as the 2018 version launches.
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?
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.
Who Brews Coastal Beers?
After more than two decades spent in globe-trotting corporate careers, you'd think most people would head to the coast for a quiet life. Not so Helen and David Black. As their Forster based brewery approaches it's first birthday, we find out why.
Our Man In NZ: Craftwork Brewery
Wizards, a tumble dryer, Belgian-inspired ales, porno beer, the tiniest of tasting rooms and a dark lord... Our Man In NZ heads to Craftwork Brewery and falls under the spell of Michael O'Brien and Lee-Ann Scotti.
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.
Wild And Wise
Jaega Wise from Wild Card is one of the London brewers appearing in Melbourne as part of Good Beer Week's Good Beer Mates program. We caught up with the brewer-singer-campaigner-presenter-van driver-chemical engineer at her Walthamstow home.
Designed Seal Delivered
The Independent Brewers Association has followed the example of peers in the US and UK and launched an seal with which brewers and their supporters can declare their support for local, independent beer.
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.
Crafty Dozen – May 2018
It's time for another roundup of the latest dozen new listings added to our directory. Here it's all brewing companies and beer bars, from Brisbane to Belmont, Perth to the Peninsula and more besides.
Big Budget Bonus For Brewers
Friday knockoff beers for small brewers and their supporters will taste a whole lot better this week after the Government announced proposals in next week's Budget that could save them tens of thousands of dollars in excise tax each year.
Behind Bars: Monkey Bar Dubbo
He went from a first experience of craft beer at the Grain Store in Newcastle to documenting a year of beer online and now, along with wife Cass, Tim Smith is helping build the beer scene in Dubbo.
Starting A Brewery: If I Could Turn Back Time
There's a wealth of knowledge in the Australian beer world today and plenty of people starting their own brewing companies too. We approached the owners of ten brewing companies to find out what they would tell themselves if they were starting again.
Ten Years Of Seven Sheds, A Lifetime Of Beer
Tasmanian brewery Seven Sheds marks ten years this month. Its co-founder Willie Simpson has been a central figure in Australian beer for far longer, so Bert "Storyteller" Spinks caught up with him and a former pupil to reflect on a life in beer.
Beer Travel: Yarra Valley
The region might still be best known for wine but today the Yarra Valley offers visits a plethora of food and drink options. It's home to a growing number of breweries and venues where you'll find a few crafties too, so here's our guide to finding grain amid the grapes.
"Catastrophic" Fire Hits Major Australian Hop Grower
A "catastrophic" fire has caused devastating damage at Ellerslie Hop, one of the largest hop growing operations in Australia. The fourth generation family business has lost its major processing equipment, sheds and the majority of its 2018 crop.
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.
Getting Merry On The Ferry
4 Pines has struck up a deal with the company responsible for bringing many visitors to their Manly brewpub over the years. It means you'll now find 4 Pines bars on four of the ferries operated by Harbour City Ferries.
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.
A Day In The Life Of: A Hop Farmer
Of beer's four main ingredients, it's hops, those pungent, sticky wee green cones, that have done more to drive the growth of craft beer than any other. Pia from girl + beer spent a day during harvest at Karridale in WA getting up close and personal with them.
We're Going On A Beer March
Fundraising brewing company Brewmanity is set to embark on its most ambitious venture yet in support of FightMND. Beer March aims to raise tens of thousands of dollars throughout March. We caught up with David Neitz and Neale Daniher to find out more.
The Crafty Dozen: February 2018
We've added another dozen brewery, bottleshop and bar listings to the site since our last roundup in December. So, as is our wont, we've gathered the latest together in one place in case you missed them when they first went live.
Newstead Kicks Off With Queensland Rugby Union
Brisbane's Newstead Brewing has become the official beer of Queensland Rugby Union as it continues to forge partnerships with local organisations and businesses in the state. It will see Newstead beers poured at Ballymore and beyond.
Getting Blind With Crafty: Session Sours
For our first blind tasting of 2018, we lined up a pretty eclectic selection of beers that form part of the beer world's current fondness for sour styles. And the year got off to a fine start with a winning beer from a brewpub few readers will yet have visited.
Crafty Cabal Update – February 2018
With a few offers and event registration deadlines imminent, it's time for our monthly update from The Crafty Cabal, our beer lovers bonus scheme for readers who want to support what we do and get heaps of good stuff in return.
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.
Hottest 100 Kiwi Beers Of 2017: The Results
The results of the second GABS Hottest 100 Kiwi Beers poll are in and Panhead has made it two for two with Supercharger holding top spot. The now retired Death From Above takes a posthumous bow in second, joined by fellow Garage Project beer Pernicious Weed on the podium.
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.
