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
Brew & A: Reckless Brewing's Grace Fowler
Reckless have brought local beer back to Bathurst and leading the way is co-founder Grace Fowler. We caught up with the longtime brewer to hear how she went from a "baptism of fire" to head brewer of her own operation.
Steph Howard's New Heights
She started out in the beer industry as a 20-year-old that didn't drink beer but has become one of the best-known individuals both here and in NZ. We sat down with Steph Howard as she steps into an even bigger role at Cryer Malt.
The Collaborators: Chilled Solutions
Chilled Solutions are dedicated to helping bartenders pour perfect pints but their essential role tends to be hidden from beer drinkers. We caught up with the founders of the small Melbourne business to find out why they launched and how they become the beer techs of choice for indie bars and breweries.
Capital Become A B Corp Business
Capital Brewing have secured B Corp accreditation, making them just one of three Australian brewing companies to secure the status in acknowledgement of their positive social and environmental impact.
Want To Own A Bar For Free?
Want to own a bar for free? The founders of crafty Preston hangout Hard Rubbish are moving on and have decided the best way to find the right owners for their beloved Hardo is to give it away to the people with the best vision for its future.
Hops 'n' Robbers
It's not uncommon for brewpubs to have a stack of games for anyone looking to settle in but no there's a card game with breweries at its heart. We caught up with the creators of Hops ‘n’ Robbers to find out more.
HPA Invest In Major New Pellet Plant
The country's largest hop grower is investing in a major pelleting plant in Victoria which will allow them to keep up with their expanding farm capacity. Hop Products Australia also believe it will provide more consistent hops for brewers.
Sobah & The Good Beer Co Coral’ate For The Reef
Sobah and The Good Beer Co have long supported important causes. Now, with their latest beer they have come together to give the Great Barrier Reef a bit of TLC.
Curly Lewis Bring Brewing To Bondi
Sydney's west is bursting at the seams with breweries yet the city's inner east hasn't enjoyed the same beer boom. That looks set to change, however, with Curly Lewis about to open the doors to their Bondi Beach brewery and bar.
$6m Lager Brewery To Open In SE Queensland
South East Queensland will welcome a lager brewery next year when Perentie Brewing opens in the Distillery Road Market precinct. Although it's new, there are some experienced hands involved in the six million venture too.
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Valhalla To Open A Brewery In Geelong
Valhalla Brewing have spent six years making beer without a home of their own. That's set to change in March next year, now that owner Scott Hunt has signed a lease on a space in North Geelong’s Federal Woollen Mills precinct.
2022: Craft Beer's Strangest Year Yet?
Lockdowns are a thing of the past yet 2022 is proving to be another grim year for many in the beer industry. We ask why, and look at what can be done to ensure better days lie ahead.
Who Brews On King Island?
King Island is rugged and isolated but, just like a growing number of small communities, it's also home to a brewery. We caught up with the family behind King Island Brewhouse to find out about living and making beer in the Bass Strait.
The Story Of: Lark Imperial JSP
It's not hard to find barrel-aged beers in winter but Wolf of the Willows' Lark Imperial JSP still manages to stand out. As brewer and distiller celebrate the fifth vintage of their collaboration, we take a deep dive with Wolf co-founder Scott McKinnon.
Who Brews Communion Beers?
They started out brewing tiny batches of beer for their café called The Chapel and now the Turners welcome guests to enjoy communion at their brewery-meets-restaurant in North West Tasmania too.
Bells Beach Brewing Surf Onto Bigger Waves
Torquay can be a little quiet over winter but Bells Beach Brewing have been making the most of it. They've just completed an expansion that will see them double their output and are working towards gaining B Corp certification.
Moo Brew To Open A New Hobart Brewpub
Moo Brew have announced plans to open a new home in Hobart. Tasmania's longest-established independent brewery has signed a lease on a site in Salamanca where they hope to open a brewpub before the end of 2022.
12 Taps Rises Again In Sydney
COVID's impact on hospitality saw the 12 Taps team close their two Sydney venues. But they're back – opening one in Marrickville last month. We spoke to bar's co-founder to find out about their comeback and plans for the future.
Who Brews Warrandyte Brewing Beers?
Warrandyte might sit within Melbourne's boundary but it's not your typical outer suburb, sitting on the banks of the Yarra River and home to stunning bushland. It's a spirit that Warrandyte Brewing have looked to capture with their beers.
Brew & A: Nathan Munt
Hazy IPAs, pastry stouts and imperial sours get a lot of attention but you're unlikely to find them in Victoria's King Valley. Instead, you'll find all manner of European styles pouring – and it's a good thing, since King River Brewing make them rather well.
3 Ravens To Open A Perth Brewpub
3 Ravens have announced plans to build a home in WA as well as upgrading their brewery home in Thornbury. We caught up with head brewer Brendan O'Sullivan and general manager Nathan Liascos to find out more.
Who Brews On Magnetic Island?
Magnetic Island is home to scenic beaches, stunning hikes, and a slower pace of life. Soon it will be home to a brewery too. We caught up with the head brewer of Maggie Island Brewery to hear what they have planned.
The Perfect Pour: The Art Of The Side-Pull
It's a pretty good time to be a lover of lager but breweries and venues are finding ways to ensure such beers are perfectly poured. We chatted to the Australians dedicated to the fine art of the side-pull; a Czech traditional that's gaining ground locally.
Who Brews Eclipse Beers?
Eclipse are one of the new kids in WA's bustling brewery scene but the name reaches back into the 19th century. The mates who have brought it back have big plans for the future too, with homes in the works in two parts of the state.
The Collaborators: Freestyle Hops
If you love limited release hazy beers, you might have spotted the name Freestyle Hops on a can from your favourite brewery. We caught up with the managing director of the NZ grower to find out what the Freestyle life is all about.
Who Brews Beachport Beers?
Beachport Brewing are located in a small coastal community on SA's Limestone Coast where the founders have ambitious plans to put Beachport on the map, and to see their beer, spirits, grain and meat all feed into each other.
Atomic Whip Their Way To The Top
In a sea of wacky beers, making waves isn't easy. But Atomic have managed to do it, with their flame-kissed Lemon Whip Sour taking out the People's Choice from all the festival beers at GABS 2022.
The Collaborators: Flavour Logic
Taste is highly subjective but if you work in the beer industry or are passionate about beer, recognising off-flavours can be essential. Which is where sensory analyst Briony Leibich – AKA Flavour Logic – comes in.
The Wild Ones: Two Metre Tall
The Wild Ones is a series showcasing Australian brewers creating spontaneously fermented ales. Here we caught up with the couple behind the truly unique farmhouse operation that is Tasmania's Two Metre Tall.
Carving Out A Niche: Small Festivals. Big Ideas
It's been a tough couple of years for beer festivals but events both large and small are roaring back. We chatted to the folks behind Juicy Fest, Rauchbier Festival and Lagerland to hear how breweries are carving out a niche in the festival space.
James Atkinson's Ever-Evolving Drinks Adventures
James Atkinson has spent years covering the drinks industry for various publications and his Drinks Adventures podcast has seen him pick up multiple awards, including the Best Media trophy at last year's AIBA. Ahead of this year's awards, we caught up with the drinks writer to hear what the award means and where his focus lies.
Brew & A: Luke Cooper
One of the country's first alcohol-free brewing companies, the proudly indigenous-owned and led Sobah recently appointed their first head brewer, Wailwan man Luke Cooper. We caught up with the "bushtucker brewer".
Supporting Flood Victims With Beer And Cheer
Craft Beer Coopery has spent years encouraging men to talk about their mental wellbeing. Their latest initiative sees them send their conversation-starting craft beer crates to Lismore in support of those impacted by recent floods.
Who Brews Middle Island Beers?
Middle Island isn't as well known as some of Victoria's other coastal outposts but for Warrnambool locals, it holds a special place in their hearts. Middle Island Brewing Co is a new brewing company launched by a group of locals who want to put their island and region on the map for craft beer drinkers.
Philter: Five Years In Five Beers
Philter may only just turned five but somehow it feels like the brewing company has been part of the craft beer industry for longer. We caught up with two of the Sydney outfit's founders to walk us through their first five years in five beers.
The Collaborators: Mogwai Labs
Wollongong and surrounds already have a vibrant local beer scene; now adding to its crafty credentials is a new liquid yeast manufacturer, Mogwai Labs. We spoke to founder Josh Allen about foraging yeast and his plans for the business.
Melbourne To Gain An Alcohol-Free Taproom
We've regularly covered the rise of non-alc beer, and while Monceau Co's main focus is kombucha their story mirrors that of many craft breweries. As they announce a Brunswick taproom, we spoke to the owners about their plans.
Molly Rose's Grand Designs
Molly Rose are working on plans that will allow them to take their collaborations with winemakers and chefs to a new level. We caught up with founder Nic Sandery to hear what he's been cooking up at his Collingwood home.
Who Brews Merino Beers?
Merino Brewery clearly take great pride in their region, putting its pioneering role in the Australian wool industry at the forefront of their business since opening in February. We caught up with them to find out Who Brews Merino beers?
The Disposable Hero Of Hopocrisy
He's been working in beer and hospo for more than three decades, has sold more beer than most Australians, and now finally has one of his own. We caught up with one of Melbourne's best known faces in beer to find out more.
Young Henrys: Ten Lessons From Ten Years
Young Henrys have brewed so many collaborations, sponsored so many events, and sold beer at so many gigs you'd be forgiven for thinking they're older than ten. As they mark that milestone, they share some of the lessons learned.
Craft Beer & Blood: Meet Deathmatch Downunder
Fluorescent lights exploding on people's heads. Chairs wrapped in barbed wire being thrashed across blood-flecked backs. And a sweaty man in not a lot of lycra drinking a lager from The Albert Brewery. Meet Deathmatch Downunder.
Capital Claim Carbon First As Aussies Brew A Greener Future
A number of Australian brewers are leading the way when it comes to sustainability, with Capital becoming the first Climate Active certified carbon neutral brewery, Rocky Ridge and Big Shed winning sustainability awards, and others going carbon neutral too.
Australians Brew For Ukraine
As war in Ukraine continues, local brewers are rallying in support. Prancing Pony, Barossa Valley Brewing and Route 9 Distillery brewed a collab this week, while Dangerous Ales are releasing their Ukrainian Imperial Stout today.
Biotransformation: Where Hops & Yeast Meet
Many fans of hoppy beers will have enjoyed the fruits of Sam Bethune's labour from his days at Fixation. These days, he's with ingredients supplier Bintani where he's been experimenting ahead of the 2022 High Country Hop.
Budget Tax Changes Welcomed By Indie Brewers
This year's federal budget has introduced a number of tax changes relevant to brewers, which the IBA says is largely welcome news for members, while hoping further excise reform could be on the way.
Who Brews Welcome Swallow Beers?
Welcome Swallow brew in the heart of Tasmania's hop country – the realisation of a long-held dream of a local farmer and his mate. With the hop harvest underway, we invited them to take part in our long-running Who Brews? series.
One Drop Look To Clean Up
One Drop are a brewery that frequently experiment with beer ingredients and styles but it's their latest process that has the Sydney outfit most excited. They've been trialling a process they call Clean Fusion, which they say not only gets the most out of their hops but solves a number of technical issues too.
Bionic Beer Builds Bionic Arms
At its core, brewing is a manufacturing process but Ocean Reach's Bionic IPA shows how local breweries can change lives for the better. The brewers have partnered with Free 3D Hands to help develop bionic arms at an affordable price.
Fourteen Years Of Fresh Hop Beers
The hop harvest is underway in Australia, which means fresh hop beers are on their way. One brewery has been brewing them longer than most: Bridge Road Brewers, so we chatted to co-owner Ben Kraus about 14 years of harvest ales.
