Articles by Will Ziebell
Will Ziebell is a history graduate who knows more about The Wire than he does about beer. He was awarded the AIBA Best Media trophy for 2018; HBO have told him to please send his fan mail elsewhere. He can be found on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.
The beer(s) or moment(s) that turned you on to good beer:
Spending time living in the UK (and backpacking across Europe) when I was 21 certainly gave me a better understanding of the beer and different styles of the world. But I'd say it was a holiday to the High Country a little while later when lunch and a tasting paddle at Bridge Road Brewers created an obsession with Australian breweries and locally made beer.
You've got three beers to turn someone else on to good beer; what are they and why?
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Boatrocker's Miss Pinky: It's a raspberry-packed Berliner Weisse that neither looks or tastes the way many people conceive of beer.
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Bad Shepherd Hazelnut Brown: A luscious mix of chocolate and hazelnut that can appeal to the sweet tooth within us all.
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Stone & Wood Pacific Ale: As the father of my oldest friend once said to me: "It's the perfect refreshing pint that smells like they've loaded it with the God's herb."
The last beer you enjoyed:
Garage Project's DFA while sitting at the bar at Miss Moses as the sounds of The Rolling Stone drifting in the background.
Three things that represent you:
- Bruce Springsteen
- Ken Burns
- The State Library of Victoria
Local Brewing Co's Melbourne Brewpub Opens This Week
The team behind Local Brewing Co are set to open their taproom this weekend in Melbourne's inner north. We spoke to a couple of the founders about their plans for the Clifton Hill space as well as their recent rebrand.
Aussie Hops: An International Perspective
Australian hops can ignite plenty of passion among local brewers but they're not alone. Overseas, the likes of Galaxy are often in high demand. With hop harvest underway, we asked some international brewers for their thoughts on our hops.
Otherside To Open A Taproom At Perth Airport
Perth Airport is set to become a whole lot craftier this year, with Otherside Brewing announcing they are building a taproom inside Terminal 2. We spoke to the team about their forthcoming new Brewlounge.
The Zythologist Find A Home
Melbourne's southeast continues its crafty rise, with The Zythologist set to open by the end of 2023. We caught up with two of the chemical engineers behind the operation to ask what's next for the brewery launched at Monash Uni.
A Day In The Life Of: A Beer Buyer
Being a beer buyer is an essential but somewhat hidden side of the industry and the kind of job that sounds as easy as they come. But, as Cherry Murphy explains, much work goes into deciding what makes the shelves at Blackhearts & Sparrows.
Brew & A: Rachel Freeman
Many brewers started making beer so they could drink something they couldn't buy but even as craft beer's availability has spread, craft beer still has a way of pulling people into the industry. Rachel Freeman's career in beer started at 18 and the Temple brewer remains as passionate an advocate as when she was selling beer behind a bar.
Black Hops Top Beer Cartel's Australian Craft Beer Survey Again
Black Hops have topped the Australian Craft Beer Survey for the second time running, voted Australia's best brewery ahead of GABS Hottest 100 toppers Mountain Culture and BentSpoke by more than 14,000 people who took part.
Nail Acquire Billabong Brewery & Celebrate With A Trophy
Nail Brewing, pioneers of the Australian craft beer industry, have taken over another of the WA's longest-established breweries, Billabong. We chatted to founder John Stallwood as they enjoyed trophy success in Queensland.
The Collaborators: Pours Cocktails
Pours features three founders who could have easily come together to launch a brewing company but instead created canned cocktails. We chatted to two of them about the novel idea and how it all came to life.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A Cold Change Hits WA's Beer Scene
For the last five years, WA's craft beer industry has been serviced by the cold chain logistics offered by Growler Depot and Beer Caddie. With the former acquiring the latter, we caught up with the people behind both to find out more.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Sobremesa Scoop Top Beer At Drink Easy Awards 2022
The small, family-run Sobremesa scored the top beer at the 2022 Drink Easy Awards, finishing third overall in the competition that features all forms of drinks. Brick Lane, Mismatch and Molly Rose all made the best beer list too.
Who Brews Dusty Lizard Beers?
Dusty Lizard opened in Wollongong in later 2020 and, while their taproom has proved a hit, the runaway star has been Dustin the lizard. He was too busy to chat, so ahead of their second birthday we chatted to the founders instead.
Who Brews Cold Hands Beers?
The crew behind Cold Hands Brewing only started brewing together in February but they've wasted no time launching with their first commercial release out in September. We got in touch to hear how they brought it all together.
Bonza Airlines Will Take Flight With All Indie Beer
Bonza Airlines are a new low-cost airline set to launch in the near future but when they do, its beer and food offering won't look all that low-cost. Instead, they'll be stocking entirely indie beer from the likes of Your Mates, Ballistic and Spinifex.
Tar Barrel: Old Dog, New Tricks
After three years, the links between Tar Barrel and Mornington Peninsula Brewery are no more. As owner Matt Bebe makes a fresh start where he began, we chatted to him about staying local and the lessons learnt along the way.
Wild Yeast Zoo
Wild beers are the oldest form of brewing and still capture a certain romance. Stepping into that fray is Wild Yeast Zoo, a Newcastle-based venture that hopes to uncover new yeast strains of yeast and bring the public along for the journey.
The Keys To A Good Time – Yours From Today
The Keys Leisure Centre could well be Melbourne's most multifaceted venue, with the Preston haunt including a bowling alley, arcade, bistro, beer garden and three bars. As it opens, we chatted to one of the founders.
Big Shed: Ten Lessons From Ten Years
Big Shed's story is the quintessential craft beer tale of two homebrewers taking a chance on themselves and their beers. As they celebrate a decade since launching, we asked Jason and Craig what they've learnt over the years.
A Day In The Life Of: A Beer Steward
Ahead of the 2022 Indies awards, we went behind the scenes at judging. While there, Will Ziebell spent time with Joslyn Erickson, the Indies Coordinator, to find out who and what goes into becoming a beer awards steward.
The Beer Slingers: Bobbie Peels
After years running various hospo businesses, including launching Burnley Brewing, old mates Phil Gijsbers and Neil Mills have their first pub. With renos complete at the historic Bobbie Peels, we invited them to kick off a new series.
Jarrah Boy Brings Native Ingredients To The Fore
A new Sunshine Coast-based brewing company showcasing native ingredients is set to launch later this month. Jarrah Boy is the latest venture from Dale Vocale, an Indigenous chef, entrepreneur and proud Monero Ngarigo man.
Exit Australian Brewery. Enter Esker Beer Co
The Australian Hotel & Brewery is entering a new era with the launch of Esker Beer Company. The new name and design was picked to better connect the longstanding brewery with their surrounds in Sydney's outer northwest.
The Spirit Of Oztoberfest
Oktoberfest celebrations have long been a fixture in the beer calendar but 2022 has seen such events go into overdrive. We chatted to some of those behind the feast of fests to find out what they love about this time of year.
Who Brews Ursa Major Beer?
Ursa Major is only visible in the Northern Hemisphere but the brewing company bearing the name brew their "otherworldly beer" in Australia. The founders are global brewers, who met in another city and still make beer from two bases.
Du Cane's Brewery & Dining Hall Launches In Launceston
Launceston will have a brewpub of its own from this week as Du Cane Brewery & Dining Hall opens its doors. We chatted to founder Will Horan about what beer fans can expect from the space and his new partnership.
Who Brews Squinters Beers?
A squinter is someone who lives in Western Sydney and drives into the city early morning looking at the sun, only to face the same fate on the way home. That reality has inspired Penrith's newest brewery, Squinters Brewing Co.
Brick Lane Join The B Corp Brigade
Brick Lane Brewing have joined the tiny but growing number of Australian breweries with B Corp certification. The accreditation can only be achieved by businesses whose environmental and social actions meet a high standard.
The Collaborators: South West Hops
It's not just the brewing scene that's expanding apace in WA's South West – there's a growing number of local producers supplying brewers too. Among them is South West Hops, who significantly stepped up their output in 2022.
