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
Postcards from the Edge No.33: Gambling On A Better Future
With venues closed, The PBC not only took the chance to undertake much-needed renos, but the Sydney bowlo's president also took the opportunity to highlight the success they've had since ripping out their pokies.
Postcards from the Edge No.32: Keeping Hospo Alive
An initiative providing meals and support for hospo workers impacted by COVID-19 has already provided more than 6,000 meals since launching in March. Will Ziebell spoke to one of the founders of CoViD-19 EAD.
Postcards from the Edge No.28: Pint of Online
You might not be able to partake in a PoO Crawl at Good Beer Week 2020 but that hasn't stopped one group finding a way to join each other on a cross-city Pint of Origin trek while in isolation.
Postcards from the Edge No.27: Bunker Down
For the team at The Welder's Dog in northern New South Wales, the challenges of dealing with COVID-19 have brought them new partners, new customers and a new approach for their business going ahead.
The Master Of The Brewniverse
It's not the first time a homebrewer has won the chance to scale up a winning brew for commercial release. But winning Coopers' Masters of the Brewniverse competition means Chris Woods' honey IPA is going nationwide.
The Collaborators: Kaddy
A pair of childhood mates have joined forces to launch a new business they believe will help streamline the relationships between breweries and other small producers and the venues and bottleshops after their beverages.
On The Frontline Of Online
Since venues shut down, there's been a flurry of new startups looking to offer new marketplace solutions. Will Ziebell spoke to three businesses – one that was already in the works – about their plans for the pandemic.
Postcards from the Edge No.24: Grain Re-Store-d
After a short break to take stock, the Grain Store team leapt back into action last month as a takeaway and home delivery service. They've even reimagined their legendary beergustations for Novocastrians to enjoy at home.
Postcards from the Edge No.22: Have A Beer Together
Plenty of beer businesses have been connecting with their fans online since venues were shutdown. And a new YouTube channel launched the day after they closed has been bringing a variety of shows to isolated beer fans too.
Postcards from the Edge No.21: Crafting New Connections
After an epic and brewery-filled road trip with her partner and their dog, Ziggy, Erin Skubiski launched Crafted Connections with the aim of connecting regional brewers with venues. Then venues closed...
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Postcards from the Edge No.20: All Together Now
Just months on from the global Resilence Beer project in support of bushfire-impacted communities, brewers around the world are rallying again to support hospo workers hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Postcards from the Edge No.19: Green Lighted District
They're involved in brewing companies, distribution and venues and, in time for Easter weekend, the Drysdales and Canevas opened District Bottle Store in Pascoe Vale. We spoke to Joel about his ups and downs during the pandemic.
Brew & A: Ash Hazell
He started homebrewing at 17 before cleaning kegs at Little Creatures followed by a stint with Barrow Boys led to the head brewer role at one of the biggest craft breweries in the land. Here's Ash Hazell to tell us more.
Who Brews Bondi Beers?
Beach Beer Bondi appeared as if from nowhere to land at 46 in the GABS Hottest 100 of 2019. Many beer drinkers hadn't heard much about them so we caught up with founder Paul Parks to ask Who Brews Bondi Beers?
Brewer Be-Guiled
Since launching his first book on historical homebrewing recipes, Peter Symons has continued scouring the world for more. As he returns with Guile Brews, we got in touch to find out where his research took him this time.
Who Brews Blackflag Beers?
Launching a brewery as the country is about to be hit by a pandemic isn't ideal, but the team behind Mooloolaba's Blackflag have been taking stock while continuing to knock out beers and sling cases from their hole-in-the-wall.
Postcards from the Edge No.13: Tumut To Go
Pubs and breweries across the country have been switching to home delivery as a means of #keepinglocalalive. But few are clocking up the kilometres – or doing it with the panache – of Tumut River Brewing Co.
Postcards from the Edge No.9: Big Easy's Virtual Venue
As soon as they saw the writing on the wall the team behind three Adelaide venues pivoted fast, creating a new online service recreating the experience of their venues as best as possible and keeping many staff employed.
Postcards from the Edge No.8: Sanitation For The Nation
Brewers and distillers across the country have been switching production in recent weeks to help meet the country's need for more hand sanitiser.
Postcards From The Edge No.7: Made By Mongrel
Fancy food and beer delivered to your door complete with a suggested soundtrack? The team at Mongrel in Brisbane have been moving fast to survive since their venue closed. Will Ziebell spoke to founder Annie Bingley.
Postcards from the Edge No.5: Isolation Island
Two figures from Tasmania's beer industry have launched the Isolation Beer Festival, a celebration of the state's independent breweries and beers designed to connect people at a time when we need to remain apart.
Postcards From The Edge No.2: GoFeedMe
What do you do if you're one of the thousands of beer and hospo people forced out of work by the COVID-19 pandemic? In the case of Deb Lieu and James Balboni, you launch a mission to feed others in your position.
Australians Join Brewgooder's Global Gathering
Brewgooder is a Scottish brewing company that diverts all profits towards clean water projects in Africa. Last year, they invite breweries around the world to join them and this weekend sees a bunch of Aussies launch their beers.
Going Green: switcH2
Breweries produce a lot of wastewater, so what if they could use it in beneficial ways, such as creating heat or power for their brewery? Sydney-based tech startup switcH2 aims to help them do just that.
My Bonny Lies Over In Fitzroy
The beer offering along Fitzroy's main strip of Brunswick Street continues to improve as Bonny joins Near & Far as a welcome new arrival. At its heart are some well known faces from the local booze scene and 27 taps.
Podcast People: Step Brewers
The Step Brewers Podcast brings banter, beers and brewing along with diversions into pop culture and plenty of laughs. We caught up with the Tasmanian trio ahead of their trip to host events at Brewsvegas 2020.
The Beer Professor
Sam Holloway has combined his passion for craft beer (which includes owning a brewery) with his academic career in business management and entrepreneurship to help advise small brewery owners on building sustainable businesses.
Downsizing: The Global Looking Local
The rise of the brewpub and taproom model is one of the most striking aspects of the changing beer landscape in Australia. And it's an area in which the world's biggest brewing companies and their brands are playing too.
Crafty Crawls: Abbotsford
In three years, the beer offering in Richmond and Abbotsford has changed so much we've split what was a combined Crafty Crawl into two. Here's our guide to the best breweries, bars and bottleshops in the home of CUB.
Hard Seltzer: The Alcopopalypse Cometh?
Hard seltzer has taken the US by storm in the past few years and early examples are starting to appear here. But what is it, why has it exploded Stateside, and will it have the same impact with Aussie drinkers?
Who Brews Project Beers?
A visit to Watts River Brewing on opening day proved the catalyst for Braden and Caitlin Beggs to launch their own brewery. Today, Project Brewing brings locally-brewed beer to the people of Rowville in Melbourne's south-east.
All Hands Changes Hands
All Hands Brewing House claimed the Champion Brewpub title at the 2019 Indies. And now it's become the latest brewery to change hands with Signature adding it to a portfolio that includes TGI Fridays and Foresters in Brisbane.
Sprocket Dock
It's seven years since Sean and Andrea Ryan launched their first beers as Killer Sprocket. Now, after one lengthy gestation period, they're set to officially open their own brewery in Melbourne's east.
Latest News from The Crafty Cabal - February 2020
More than $5,000 in festival tickets, $1,500 worth of beer, one very cool event (with more to be confirmed soon) and more deals taking the total to 150 across Australia... There's new benefits aplenty for Crafty Cabalistas this month.
Golden Recovery
The efforts of the Australian beer community to support those affected by bushfires continue apace, with two fundraising beers released by brewers in Victoria and New South Wales this weekend.
Back To The Future - The Rise Of Small Festivals
There's a new breed of beer festival on the rise, one that combines elements of those from craft beer's earlier days with a more tightly-curated program of beers and brewers.
Beer Travel: South Gippsland
It might be best known for its pinot noir, dairy industry and stunning coastlines but head to South Gippsland these days and you'll never be too far from a local brewery eager to share their wares.
Who Brews Cattleyard Beers?
Cattleyard Brewing Co was launched to serve thirsty festival-goers at Grooving the Moo but, with JJ Baker at the helm, has taken on a life of its own. We caught up with JJ to find out more?
Territory Brews
With Purple Mango returning to brewing, the beer scene in the NT continues to grow. We got in touch with the owners of One Mile, Beaver and Alice Springs Brewing Co to see how they're travelling as the new decade starts.
Conspiring On A Home
After a long search, the team at CoConspirators have found a home in Brunswick. We caught up with all four of them to hear about the plans.
Mornington Peninsula’s New Old Brewery
Less than eighteen months after selling the business to Tribe Breweries, Mornington Peninsula Brewery founder Matt Bebe is back where he started – and with a new brewery and distillery on the way too.
Help From Afar
From Buenos Aires to Bethnal Green, people in all parts of the global beer community are doing their part in support of bushfire relief. Will Ziebell spoke to two people leading fundraising and awareness far from the fires.
Who Brews Alchemy Beers?
Alchemy Brewing opened at the end of 2019, adding another option to Brunswick East's already impressive list of craft beer destinations. We caught up with the pair behind the brewery for our Who Brews...? series.
Crafty's Advent Calendar: Mulga
The Northern Territory has a few local beers to call its own these days, but one man who's been working to bring flavour to NT drinkers for almost two decades is Matt Mulga, who now runs three crafty bars in Alice and Darwin.
Who Brews Grassy Knoll Beers?
Beer and music have a wonderful ability to bring people together, and both lie at the heart of Grassy Knoll. The gypsy operation was founded by three mates, with head brewer Jeff Argent also a drummer with indie quartet Pirra.
Crafty's Advent Calendar: Richard Adamson
From playing in bands to brewing with native ingredients at Barons, from kickstarting the Inner West's beer revolution in Sydney to becoming an educator, Richard Adamson has brought much to the local beer world.
All Aboard The Beer Quality Motorhome
In recent months, Lallemand Brewing's technical manager Dan McCulloch has been taking a motorhome around Australia visiting breweries. Will Ziebell jumped on board to find out what he was doing and, more importantly, ask why.
Crafty Crawls: South & Port Melbourne
The contrast in beer offerings north and south of the Yarra is no longer as stark as it was. To prove it, join us as we set sail on a Crafty Crawl through the best beer spots in South and Port Melbourne.
The Balter Sale: Analysis
Following today's Balter sale to CUB, we spoke to an expert in the business of beer about the potential ramifications for the industry as the IBA puts out a statement about independence.
The Collaborators: Louie SK
There's plenty of common ground between the worlds of craft beer and gaming, both of which collide at Bar SK in Collingwood. Will Ziebell caught up with co-owner Louie Roots about his mission to bring gaming to local beer.
