It was such a big deal, at first they thought it was a wind up. But it was true. The makers of Call of Duty: Black Ops III – one of the biggest gaming releases in history – really did want Gold Coast's Black Hops to create a beer for them.
Since leaving the brewing company he put on the map, former Riverside man Dave Padden has relaunched as Akasha. After months brewing with friends at Rocks, he's about to release the first beers from his new Five Dock home.
The Gold Coast is set to welcome its first ever craft beer focused festival when Free The Hops lands at bars over ten days next month. James Graham spoke to some of those involved to find out more.
WA's Feral Brewing has been a genuine trailblazer for the Australian beer industry. Key to their success in recent years has been brewer Will Irving, owner Brendan Varis' trusted lieutenant in the breweries.
Two Metre Tall isn't the only Tasmanian brewery on a mission to create estate ales creating solely in homegrown ingredients. Van Dieman hopes to capture its farm in a beer soon too.
Black Hops by name, anything but Black Ops by nature. A trio of Gold Coast brewing mates is sharing their journey from home brewing to gypsy brewing to owner towers of shiny stainless – warts 'n' all.