News & Feature Stories
Eagle Bay Leap Through Hoops... Slowly
Eagle Bay have launched Hoops, a years-in-the-making series celebrating wild ferments, barrel-ageing and patience. We chatted to brewer Keegan Steinbacher about the passion project launched with a little help from 3 Ravens.
The Beer World Pays Tribute To Pops
The beer world has been paying tribute to one of its "special men", after brewer and mentor Neil "Pops" Whittorn lost his battle with cancer. We spoke to some of those who knew him best.
Who Brews At Mixtape?
Spooning Goats was a pioneering craft beer venue – not to mention one of the quirkiest joints in Sydney. And while it fell victim to COVID, the founders' vision lives on at Mixtape Brewing & Bar in Marrickville.
Meet The 2023 Pint of Origin Beer
After a few rounds of voting and much discussion within The Crafty Pint team, we have a name for the 2023 Pint of Origin beer. Congratulations to Tim Brady for his winning suggestion – which turned out to be the very first entry too.
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.
The Garage Project Story
Garage Project and their beers are much-loved on both sides of The Ditch, with the Wellington-based brewery making a mark on a global scale too. Here, Pursuit of Hoppiness editor Michael Donaldson explores their incredible story.
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.
Catchment Lead Consortium Bringing Ballistic Out Of Administration
Catchment Brewing have become majority owners of Ballistic Beer in a deal that will see the latter leave voluntary administration and continue operation. Ballistic founder David Kitchen is to stay on as a shareholder and advisor.
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.
Get more Crafty!
Sign up to our newsletters and get the latest craft beer news delivered free to your inbox. Choose from our Friday Roundup of the week, the quick-read, social feed-like Crafty Cuppa – or both!
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.
Fox Friday To Open Perth Brewpub
Fox Friday are set to open a brewpub in Perth, taking over Blasta's current site when the latter moves to a bigger venue in the coming months. It means the Hobart-based operation will have bases in three states by the end of 2023.
Name The Pint Of Origin Beer And Win!
Pint of Origin returns from May 12 to 21, 2023, taking over 20 of Melbourne's best bars and pubs. We'll be unveiling the lineup before the end of March, and before then we're offering you the chance to own a piece of this year's festival!
Blasta: Five Years In Five Beers
As Blasta turn five this weekend, it's a chance to reflect on a trophy-filled start to life driven by relentlessly high standards. Yet, with huge plans for the year ahead, founder Steve Russell is just as keen to look to the future.
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.
Moffat Beach's Serial Winner Claims More Trophies
The serial trophy-winners at Moffat Beach Brewing Co have continued where they left off in 2022 with another haul of trophies at the Royal Queensland Beer Awards.
Tribe Breweries Goes Into Administration
Tribe Breweries has become the latest brewing company to enter administration. The company operates one of the country's largest production breweries, a $35m facility in Goulburn, NSW, and produces its own brands and others under contract.
Founder Jayne Lewis To Leave Two Birds
Jayne Lewis, who founded Two Birds Brewing with long-time mate Danielle Allen in 2011, is set to leave the game-changing operation in the coming weeks.
Crafty Crawls: Penrith & The Blue Mountains
Mountain Culture have helped turn beer lovers' attention towards the Blue Mountains in fine fashion. But as local boy Benny Kennedy-Cox discovers, there's much more of a crafty bent to be found in Penrith and the wider region too.
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.
Who Brews BOBs Beers?
From studying chemical engineering via a wine business in Bangkok and Singapore to opening a brewpub in the former Louis Vuitton store in Surfers Paradise, the story of BOBs Beer's genesis is one of the more circuitous.
Working Title To Open Brewpub in Newstead
After operating without a brewery of their own for two years, Working Title have found a home. They're set to move into Newstead Brewing’s soon-to-be vacated brewpub in Doggett Street, Newstead, on April 1. No joke.
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.
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.
Who Brews Tiny Fish Beers?
When demand for his homebrew started to outstrip the rate at which he could make it, Brett Whiting decided it was time to step up. So he launched Tiny Fish, bringing a bunch of the mates who'd been enjoying his homebrew along for the ride.
Good Drinks' Acquisition Of Stomping Ground Called Off
In a surprise announcement, Good Drinks and Stomping Ground have said they won't be going ahead with the proposed acquisition announced last year.
Newstead To Leave Their Doggett St Brewpub
Next month marks the end of an era for one of Brisbane's pioneering craft breweries, with Newstead moving out of their Doggett Street brewpub to focus on their Milton brewery venue. We chatted to the team about their future plans.
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.
Who Brews Whale Rock Beers?
It started out as a way to liven up a COVID lockdown but, with a helping hand from the team at Frenchies, the three-dads-escaping-lockdown-boredom-by-homebrewing has already morphed into Whale Rock Brewing.
Crafty Crawls: Darling Harbour & The Rocks
In the heart of Sydney and keen to enjoy some waterside views with a local beer in hand? Well, whaddya know... here's a guide to just that. Join us for a tour of the craftiest spots in Darling Harbour and The Rocks.
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.
Hottest 100 Craft Beers Of 2022: Analysis
Mountain Culture have scored an incredible top spot with their Status Quo in the 2022 GABS Hottest 100 Craft Beers poll. Here, we dig deeper into the top 100 to see what it can tell us.
Mountain Culture Storm The GABS Hottest 100 Craft Beers Of 2022
We have a new winner in the GABS Hottest 100 Craft Beers poll for 2022, with Mountain Culture achieving a staggering result and blasting straight into top spot. Balter XPA finished second ahead of BentSpoke's Crankshaft.
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.
Ballistic Beer Goes Into Administration
One of Queensland's most high profile independent brewing companies has gone into voluntary administration. According to a filing with ASIC dated January 24, Ballistic Beer Co have appointed PKF Melbourne as administrators.
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.
Who Brews Aetheon Beers?
Kevin Martinovich’s fascination with all things fermented led him into a career encompassing retail, hospitality, and global travel. Now with his own brewing company, we invited him to take part in our Who Brews...? series.
La Sirène Back In Business – For Now
After a tumultuous seven weeks that would make a roller-coaster feel queasy, the team at La Sirène are set to reopen the doors to their bar today. However, the future of the popular "urban farmhouse" brewery remains unclear.
Better Together With A Better Vision
A conversation with Emily Tankey about brewing venture Better Together grew into a conversation about brewing at Brouwerij De Molen, the importance of female ownership, and the need for distinction in contract brewing.
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.
Who Brews Wooden Axe Beers?
What could possibly possess someone to turn up to a homebrew competition with nothing but a couple of flannels, a homemade, lumberjack-themed jockeybox, and a keg of 9.5 percent ABV white stout? Meet the mates behind Wooden Axe.
The Collaborators: Candy Warhol's Colouring Cans
If a colouring book featuring 148 beer cans from breweries across Greater Sydney appeals to you, then you're in luck – ex-graphic designer Connor Dempsey has made one to scratch his own creative itch and support good mental health.
Who Brews Gallows Beers?
The brand may have a dark name and dark labels (and started with a dark beer), but the story of Gallows Brewing is one of sunshine as three friends were drawn back together in gorgeous Coffs Harbour to start a brewing company.
The Best Of Beer 2022: The Territories
They’re far from being neighbours and you wouldn’t draw too many similarities between the ACT and NT either, but once again we’re running the Territories together as our Best Of Beer 2022 series draws to a close.
The Best Of Beer 2022: South Australia
Our Best Of Beer 2022 series heads to South Australia for a look at the highs, lows, twists and turns via the standout moments and beers, the newcomers to the scene, and those who experienced a memorable 12 months.
The Best Of Beer 2022: Tasmania
It's time to head south for the sixth entry in The Best Of Beer 2022 series as we cross the Bass Strait to check in on a busy year of openings – both new and from existing operations – and delicious beers from around Tasmania.
