"You don't have to reinvent the wheel to make good beers. That's not to say we don't try." There's little like Moo Brew in the Australian beer landscape, however you look at it. The brewery blazed a trail for craft beer in Tasmania and remains something of a figurehead for the state's beer scene as one of the few breweries with a presence on the mainland. The unique bottles and John Kelly artwork on their labels marked them out as something different from the off – and that was before founder David Walsh carved the world-famous Mona into the rock underneath the original brewery. You could argue their refusal to bend from a dedication to finely-honed, classically-minded styles while the rest of the beer world was losing its mind also marks Moo out as different. Meanwhile, making it to this month's 20th anniversary with just three head brewers – all of whom still meet up in Hobart – is pretty extraordinary too. Ahead of their birthday celebrations, we were joined by the latest of those three, Jack Viney, to look back on two decades of Moo Brew. The chat covers the brewery's ethos and evolution, distinct brand and place within the Walsh empire, Moo's pioneering role within Tasmania, the arrival of Manky Sally's brewpub in Salamanca, Jack's career in beer, and the state of affairs for beer today. There's plenty to cover before we get to Jack too: Grifter becoming the latest local brewery to secure B Corp status [https://craftypint.com/news/3931/the-grifter-brewing-co-become-australias-latest-b-corp-brewery]; little Central Coast bottlo Oldfield Cellars beating all-comers [https://craftypint.com/news/3933/golden-oldfield-cellars] to an ALIA trophy; a collab ten years in the making [https://craftypint.com/news/3921/naked-ned-a-collab-a-decade-in-the-making]; and a look at the ins, outs, magic and mishaps of beer advent calendars [https://craftypint.com/news/3934/christmas-advent-ures-inside-the-festive-beer-box-boom]. We also unveil the latest winner in the Bluestone Yeast Brewery of the Month – nominate yours here [https://craftypint.com/bluestone] – and hear about the opening of submissions [https://craftypint.com/event/13908/entries-open-for-the-2026-royal-queensland-beer-awards] for the 2026 Royal Queensland Beer Awards. Start of segments:  * 13:45 – Jack Viney Part 1 * 37:11 – Bluestone Yeast Brewery of the Month * 40:24 – Jack Viney Part 2 To find out more about featuring on The Crafty Pint Podcast or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact craig@craftypint.com.

"We just like making full-flavoured, unapologetic, big beers." There's nothing in the Australian beer world quite like Seeker Brewing [https://craftypint.com/brewery/715/seeker-brewing]. The Wollongong operation was founded by identical twins Jeff and Curtis Argent, our guests on this week's show, alongside mate Ben Boorer [https://craftypint.com/news/3252/chronically-crafty-managing-health-in-the-beer-industry]. Prior to running a brewery together, the brothers were in a band together, only denied their dreams of touring overseas by the pandemic. While their no-holding-back approach to brewing – whether that's adding more hops to a beer or ramping up the ABV – isn't unique, they've found new ways to approach it, not least in their Art of Flight series [https://craftypint.com/news/3522/seeker-take-flight-with-tiny-tins] featuring big beers in small cans. To find out more about one of the most joyous success stories of recent years, the twins joined us from their brewery to reflect on working (and sometimes living) together in Pirra and Seeker, the pleasure they take in watching a brewery full of people enjoying live music – from flamenco and salsa to rock and reggae, the plans they're currently hatching, and why they love working with others. There's plenty to discuss ahead of the main interview too: our Secret Sales Rep article on the death of relationships [https://craftypint.com/news/3925/the-secret-sales-rep-the-death-of-relationships], Venom's takeover [https://craftypint.com/news/3924/venom-to-open-taproom-at-former-mrs-parmas-in-melbourne] of the former Mrs Parma's site in Melbourne's CBD, Bad Shepherd's Ten Lessons From Ten Years [https://craftypint.com/news/3927/bad-shepherd-ten-lessons-from-ten-years], an inspiring collaboration [https://craftypint.com/news/3928/pillars-of-society-froths-all-australian-fundraiser-for-veterans] between veterans in WA, and our upcoming festive feast, Crafty Cheer! [https://craftypint.com/event/13873/crafty-cheer-a-festive-feast] We're always keen for feedback on the show, which you can provide here [https://craftypint.com/form_builder/view/a684eceee76fc522773286a895bc8436/the-crafty-pint-podcast-survey-2025-part-1], as well as nominations in our Have You Done A Rallings? [https://craftypint.com/rallings] and Bluestone Yeast Brewery of the Month campaigns. Don't forget, if you enjoy this episode, please like, subscribe, rate and review on whichever podcast platform you use. Start of segments: * 15:14 – Jeff & Curtis Part 1 * 44:22 – Have You Done A Rallings? Winner * 47:37 – Jeff & Curtis Part 2 To find out more about featuring on The Crafty Pint Podcast or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact craig@craftypint.com.

"Our isolation leads to innovation." In the last of the episodes recorded at the inaugural Grainstock [https://craftypint.com/news/3902/episode-067-grainstock-2025] in the Riverina in October, we take a sidestep into the world of spirits, welcoming one of Australian whisky's true characters onto the show. Tim Duckett, who grew up on a farm in Tasmania's North West, bought his first barrels of whisky back in 1999, so has been both participant in and observer of the rise of the local industry. The whiskies he releases under the Heartwood [https://www.heartwoodmaltwhisky.com.au/] banner are sought-after the world over, often selling out batches in advance, admired for their consistency of quality, renowned for the might of their impact, and noted for the humour found in their names and labels. Since 2015, he's also released lower-ABV, typically more approachable whiskies under the Tasmanian Independent Bottlers banner. An outspoken commentator on the industry, one unafraid to ruffle feathers, he joined us to reflect on his own life in whisky since meeting Lyn and Bill Lark in its fledgling days, how Australian whisky is regarded globally, the current issues that have brought some businesses down – not unlike in the beer world, the need for federal support, and the difficulty in defining an Australian characteristic beyond "We give it a crack" in a vast country where distillers operate in such varied climes. James is joined by a guest co-host this week too. Luke McCarthy [https://ozwhiskyreview.com.au/] is one of the country's most respect drinks writers, recently penned a piece [https://craftypint.com/news/3871/australian-whiskys-growing-pains-and-the-long-road-to-maturity] for us on the trials and tribulations of the Australian whisky industry, and provides background and context ahead of the main interview. Start of segments: * 10:32 – Tim Duckett Part 1 * 37:06 – Tim Duckett Part 2 To find out more about featuring on The Crafty Pint Podcast or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact craig@craftypint.com.

Jayne Lewis needs little, if any, introduction to anyone that reads or listens to The Crafty Pint. Following stints at many of the country's brewing trailblazers, she blazed a trail of her own, creating Two Birds Brewing with mate Dani Allen, together going on to conquer the country's beer awards while inspiring many other women to follow in their footsteps.   Two years on from leaving Two Birds, she's been carving out a new path [https://craftypint.com/news/3166/a-full-colour-life-from-brewer-to-leader], one focused very much on the human side of the food and drinks industry. Today, she operates Full Colour Life [https://fullcolourlife.com.au/], working with small business owners as well as individuals on everything from business strategy to setting and achieving personal goals.   The wealth of knowledge she brings to the role comes not just from her time as a brewer and business owner, but also from personal experience: succumbing to burnout and a sense of losing agency, before embarking on a mission to rebuild herself and help others do the same.   Given the well-documented issues around burnout, stress and churn in the industry, Jayne is playing – once again – a vitally important role, which she discusses in this episode, along with her experiences as a woman in a male-dominated industry, the remarkable success of the Australian chapter of Pink Boots Society [https://www.pinkbootssociety.com.au/], the importance of allyship, and bobbing like a cork in the ocean – even in the middle of a Melbourne winter.   Last week's tech gremlins overcome, the show opens with Will and James discussing the ACCC's decision [https://craftypint.com/news/3913/accc-oppose-microstars-proposed-acquisition-of-konvoy-kegstar-respond-with-concerns] to oppose MicroStar's proposed acquisition of Konvoy, ten years [https://craftypint.com/news/3915/ten-lessons-from-ten-years-pikes-beer-co] (or is it 140?) of Pikes Beer Co in the Clare Valley, the growing number of breweries using silos [https://craftypint.com/news/3917/going-green-brewery-silos-grain-expectations], and a new video launched by NSW indie suppliers [https://craftypint.com/news/3918/telling-the-story-of-local-indie-suppliers] Mogwai Labs, Ryefield Hops and Voyager Craft Malt. Mid-show we also reveal the latest Bluestone Yeast Brewery of the Month [https://craftypint.com/bluestone].   If you enjoy the show, please rate and review – and tell your mates!   Start of segments: * 13:55 – Jayne Lewis – Part 1  * 35:57 – Bluestone Yeast Brewery Of The Month  * 39:34 – Jayne Lewis – Part 2     To find out more about featuring on The Crafty Pint Podcast or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact craig@craftypint.com.

"It's a big picture approach. I love it because our kids are going to have a future." The phrase "more than the sum of its parts" shouldn't really apply when the parts in question are as significant in their own manner as Wildflower Beer [https://craftypint.com/brewery/359/wildflower], Organically Greenwood [https://craftypint.com/news/3014/revolution-in-the-riverina] and Voyager Craft Malt [https://craftypint.com/news/3843/episode-057-voyagers-vision]. Yet there can be no denying that these pioneering operations are stronger together – their impact magnified by their ongoing collaboration. Since first discovering each other, the trio – respectively a brewer favouring native, wild and organic ingredients, a farmer exploring innovative regeneration techniques, and a maltster of world-beating ingenuity – have encouraged each other to push their ideas further, to chase their wildest dreams, and to inspire others along the way. We sat down with two of them – Wildflower's Topher Boehm and Organically Greenwood's Chris Greenwood – at an event conceived by the third, the Stu Whytcross-curated Grainstock [https://craftypint.com/news/3902/episode-067-grainstock-2025]. They told us about their first encounters, the friendship forged between their families, the exploration and experimentation they've enjoyed together, and their hopes for the future of grain, regen farming, sustainable brewing practices and the planet itself. They're fascinating and eloquent guests who take us from brewing with saltbush in Belgium to old man Ivan and his crop-enhancing "voodoo juice" with plenty of insight and laughter along the way. Due to some unexpected and insurmountable gremlins in the system, which we only discovered three hours before this episode was due to be published, there's no full intro this week. Will and James had discussed the week's news –  two more [https://craftypint.com/news/3908/misfit-taproom-closes-just-weeks-after-taking-over-wayward-brewings-former-home] venue closures [https://craftypint.com/news/3907/lion-to-close-stone-and-woods-brisbane-brewpub] in the local beer world, a fledgling brewpub [https://craftypint.com/news/3906/who-brews-tocumwals-beers] changing tastes on the Murray, and the new "Northern IPA" [https://craftypint.com/news/3909/true-north-fermenting-a-new-style-of-ipa] style – but instead you just get a brief word from James before the main course. We're always keen for feedback on the show, which you can provide here [https://craftypint.com/form_builder/view/a684eceee76fc522773286a895bc8436/the-crafty-pint-podcast-survey-2025-part-1] (just don't mention this week's intro), as well as nominations for good beer citizens in our Have You Done A Rallings? [https://craftypint.com/rallings] campaign and wonderful breweries you'd like to see named Bluestone Yeast Brewery of the Month [https://craftypint.com/bluestone]. As ever, if you enjoy this episode, please like, subscribe, rate and review. Start of segments: * 3:05 – Topher & Chris Part 1 * 33:17 – Topher & Chris Part 2 To find out more about featuring on The Crafty Pint Podcast or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact craig@craftypint.com.

"We're all massive grain users – bakers, brewers, distillers – so it's so good to get to connect with them." Grainstock [https://www.grainstock.com.au/] was a first-of-its-kind industry gathering and beer festival celebrating grain, agriculture, brewing, distilling and baking under the one banner. Held at Voyager Craft Malt's home at the Whitton Malt House over three days, it brought diverse yet linked industries together for farm tours, networking, and a symposium exploring the opportunities, challenges and future for farmers and businesses that rely on grain. During the conference, Will and Craig sat down with three guests to chat about their respective backgrounds, what brought them to Whitton, and their experience at the conference.  First up, we have Caolan Vaughan, head brewer at Stone & Wood, who has been overseeing the introduction of regen and organic ingredients at the brewery. He's followed by Phil Stevens, who used to lead brewing at The Welder's Dog and is now focused on native grains, before we're joined by distiller and CIBD board member Lisa Macrae. Ahead of those interviews, James and Will discuss Lachy Crothers' new fresh AF beer project [https://craftypint.com/news/3898/lachy-crothers-faffs-about-with-fresh-beer], the return of Ballarat Bitter [https://craftypint.com/news/3900/ballarat-bitter-and-bertie-back-in-family-hands] to its founding family's hands, and Rehn Bier's move into the Old Mill Brewery [https://craftypint.com/news/3901/rehn-bier-and-friends-brew-a-bigger-barossa-beer-hub] with some Barossa mates. We also unveil the latest Have You Done A Rallings? [https://craftypint.com/rallings] winner. Start of segments: * 17:42 – Caolan Vaughan * 27:59 – Phil Stevens * 39:19 – Have You Done A Rallings? * 43:07 – Lisa Macrae To find out more about featuring on The Crafty Pint Podcast or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact craig@craftypint.com.

"The ethos was trying to provide that cultural shift and be a catalyst for that." What's it like brewing beer in paradise? Or, more precisely, in Exmouth: gateway to the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area that's home to awe-inspiring, barely-populated beaches and an abundance of glorious wildlife that can make it feel like you're living in a David Attenborough documentary. We sat down with Pete Firth and Justin Fuery, respectively co-founders of Froth Craft Brewery [https://frothcraft.com/] and Whalebone Brewing [https://www.whalebonebrewing.com.au/], to discover the answer to that question (unbearably hot in summer, for one) and more. They opened their breweries in the same year, 2017, in what was then a far sleepier town than it is today, and have helped change the culture to the degree that Exmouth – despite a permanent population of just 3,000 – hosts more live music than any WA city or town north of Perth. As well as delving into their backstories, the ethos driving each brewery, and the different paths they've taken – Froth now operate multiple venues; Whalebone sell cans across the state and have launched Ningaloo Distillery – we explore the challenges facing such businesses in far-flung regional locations, how they built, maintain and continue to expand their audience, the huge boost COVID brought to the region, and the rise of beer tourism. Ahead of the main chat, Will and James look forward to this week's Grainstock [https://www.grainstock.com.au/] in the Riverina and discuss a trio of new articles: the sixth instalment of our Beer By Design series [https://craftypint.com/news/3895/beer-by-design-marketing]; the impending launch of Ripple Brewing; and the first beer in Australia brewed with a new yeast strain [https://craftypint.com/news/3896/straining-at-the-bit-coconspirators-aussie-first-yeast-experiment]. Mid-show, you'll hear from Mogwai Labs [https://craftypint.com/business/1398/mogwai-labs] and Kicks Brewing on brewing festbiers too. We're always keen for feedback on the show, which you can provide here [https://craftypint.com/form_builder/view/a684eceee76fc522773286a895bc8436/the-crafty-pint-podcast-survey-2025-part-1], as well as nominations for the Bluestone Yeast Brewery of the Month [https://craftypint.com/bluestone] and Have You Done A Rallings? [https://craftypint.com/rallings] celebration of the country's good beer citizens. Start of segments: *  11:20 – Pete & Justin Part 1 * 28:07 – Mogwai & Kicks Brewing * 34:47 – Pete & Justin Part 2 To find out more about featuring on The Crafty Pint Podcast or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact craig@craftypint.com.

"Our goal was always to showcase every beer at every brewery as if it was our own." Joslyn Erickson works in a unique but essential part of the beer industry. She runs Hop On Brewery Tours [https://hoponbrewerytours.com.au/] alongside partner Matt Farrelly, which the pair launched nearly a decade ago in Queensland. Back then, Brisbane had only six craft breweries and the Gold Coast was home to just a handful of breweries and venues where you could find anything other than mainstream beer. It means Joslyn has enjoyed a front row seat to take in craft beer's growth in South East Queensland, observing how the culture and attitudes have changed, whether for better or worse. At the same time, she's performed a crucial role stewarding [https://craftypint.com/news/2993/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-beer-steward] at some of the country's major beer awards. Will Ziebell and Craig Williams caught up with Joslyn to talk about the importance of embracing beer tourism, ways she believes breweries can find new customers, and her passion for beer education, which has seen her launch The Lauter Tun [https://www.instagram.com/thelautertun.pod/] on Instagram. Ahead of the chat, James and Will discuss a new series [https://craftypint.com/news/3770/the-mash-tun-and-the-melting-pot-belgian-australian-beer] from Rob Horner on the impact of global beer cultures on Australian brewers, Mick Wüst's second deep dive into life at Fermentis [https://craftypint.com/news/3888/big-yeast-big-changes], the lessons learned by Your Mates [https://craftypint.com/news/3891/ten-lessons-from-ten-years-your-mates-brewing] over their first decade, a joyous collab event featuring Deaf artist Gonketa [https://craftypint.com/news/3696/crafty-signs-auslan-beers-magnificent-mission], and the benefits of joining our Crafty Cabal beer club [https://craftycabal.com/]. If you enjoy the show, please consider liking, subscribing, rating or reviewing! Start of segments: * 13:30 – Joslyn Erickson Part 1 * 41:13 – Grainstock 2025 [https://www.grainstock.com.au/] Preview * 45:48 – Joslyn Erickson Part 2 To find out more about featuring on The Crafty Pint Podcast or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact craig@craftypint.com.

"A lot of my ethos about what I'd like brewing to be is that DIY punk vibe, which is really collaborative." A year on from Feral's return to independence [https://craftypint.com/news/3455/nail-and-beerfarm-buy-feral-and-their-brewery-from-coke], the brewery unveiled a new look, a tightened core range, and a new head brewer, with ex-Beavertown and Beerfarm brewer Charlotte Freeston [https://craftypint.com/news/3827/the-rewilding-of-feral] entrusted with shaping the next chapter in the iconic brand's story. Ahead of Froth Town 2025, we joined her at Feral's brewery (with AIBA Best Media 2025 winner Guy Southern along as co-host) to find out more about the new direction and plans for the future, from barrels and a new venue to the return of Tusk. As anyone who has met Charlotte would know, beer and brewing formed just part of the conversation. We find out about her pre-Beavertown career, which took in fine art, making bespoke paint and music videos, set-building, and travelling the UK in her dad's BMW gaining brewing experience, as well as her views on the wider beer community here and in the UK, the Pink Boots Society, and learning not to apologise for being unapologetic. It's a delightful chat, which follows a look back at the week on Crafty – Sobah entering VA [https://craftypint.com/news/3883/sobah-beverages-enter-voluntary-administration], more on the beer scene in Central Queensland [https://craftypint.com/news/3876/besser-blocks-and-brewpubs-central-queenslands-burgeoning-beer-scene-part-ii], a peak inside brewer trials [https://craftypint.com/news/3884/new-hop-portunities-inside-the-brewer-trials-for-nz-s-newest-varieties] for new hops, and the second part of Creating A Venue [https://craftypint.com/news/3882/creating-a-venue-ii-from-consultants-and-council-to-cement-and-chatgpt] – and includes the latest winner in our Bluestone Yeast Brewery of the Month [https://craftypint.com/bluestone] campaign. Enjoy! And if you do, please consider liking, subscribing, rating and reviewing! Start of segments: * 17:21 – Charlotte Freeston Part 1 * 33:21 – Bluestone Yeast Brewery of the Month * 38:00 – Charlotte Freeston Part 2 To find out more about featuring on The Crafty Pint Podcast or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact craig@craftypint.com.

"To see [our barley] from start to finish, and to also see the result in our beers, is something that's pretty beautiful." Michael Stanzel first came to the attention of Australian beer drinkers when he and wife, Chloe Hoiberg, joined Burnley Brewing upon their return to Australia from Germany. While in Europe, he'd trained as a brewer, with those influences shining through many of the releases from the now-closed Richmond brewery. Today, you'll find him at Devilbend Farm Beer Co [https://craftypint.com/brewery/891/devilbend-farm-beer-co], on the Mornington Peninsula, still producing a range of both classically-minded and contemporary craft beers but with a real point of difference. As the name suggests, the brewery is based on a farm [https://craftypint.com/news/3123/beer-grows-here-the-devilbend-farm], where they grow hops and barley for use in many of Michael's beers. Will Ziebell joined him at the farm for a chat about their sustainable approach to brewing, Michael's love for lager, and how and why he learnt to brew in Germany. Before the main interview, Will and James discuss Sydney Brewery's second brewery acquisition this year [https://craftypint.com/news/3873/sydney-brewery-acquires-white-bay-brewerys-rozelle-site], the results from the Royal Sydney Beer and Cider Awards [https://craftypint.com/news/3878/sunday-road-claim-top-prize-at-sydney-royal-beer-and-cider-awards] and what's going on in the beer scenes in both Central Queensland [https://craftypint.com/news/3875/besser-blocks-and-brewpubs-central-queenslands-burgeoning-beer-scene-part-i] and the Northern Rivers [https://craftypint.com/news/3879/behind-bars-curious-craft]. Mid-show we also reveal the latest winner in our Have You Done A Rallings? [https://craftypint.com/rallings] celebration of the country's good beer citizens. If you enjoy the show, please like, subscribe, rate and review. Cheers! Start of segments: * 14:30 –  Devilbend Part 1 * 42:21 –  Have You Done A Rallings? * 47:06  – Devilbend Part 2 To find out more about featuring on The Crafty Pint Podcast or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact craig@craftypint.com.

"I try to do as few things on purpose as possible." More than a thousand brewing companies have launched in Australia since the turn of the millennium, but there's been nothing quite like Evil Mega Corp [https://craftypint.com/news/3657/evil-mega-corps-no-scale-ambition]. The one-man "worker's-owned Utopia" is the brainchild of Rhys Lopez, formerly head brewer at Otherside Brewing, and it's fair to say that in the world of Aussie brewers there's nothing quite like Rhys either. It's probably not worth trying to summarise the operation or the man behind it in these notes; as he admits in the chat: "Sometimes I take a joke too far." Instead, settle in for a conversation – with AIBA 2025 Beer Media winner Guy Southern along as co-host – that goes well beyond the origins of Evil Mega Corp, the wild beers he brews for his Squares, and the subscription model he operates to take in AI, the heroes at Médecins Sans Frontières, travel, and turning his dog into a Pope-like figure, a Roman war elephant and a Mariachi musician. NB If you're watching or listening in time, we're hosting an event with Rhys at Freo.Social [https://craftycabal.com/member-events] on September 20. Ahead of the main chat, James joins Will from Warroora Station in WA to discuss the week's stories, which include a rare foray into the world of whisky [https://craftypint.com/news/3871/australian-whiskys-growing-pains-and-the-long-road-to-maturity] thanks to Oz Whisky Review's Luke McCarthy, insight into Seeker Brewing's sustainable new brewery [https://craftypint.com/news/3872/going-green-seekers-sustainable-thermal-oil], and a festive take on crowdfunding [https://craftypint.com/news/3870/crowdfunding-with-a-difference-a-festival-called-george] from Tassie brewery Manchild. Start of segments:  * 13:13 – Grainstock 2025 Preview *  19:06 – Rhys Lopez Part 1 *  45:45 – Rhys Lopez Part 2 To find out more about featuring on The Crafty Pint Podcast or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact craig@craftypint.com.

"We're lucky to work in an industry that's a lot about fun." This week's guests need little, if any, introduction. Not only is BentSpoke [https://craftypint.com/brewery/256/bentspoke-brewing-co] – the brewery launched in a Braddon brewpub in 2014 and now a national brand – one of the country's best-loved operations, but its founders have connections with Canberra's beer scene stretching back three decades. Richard Watkins and Tracy Margrain met while working in the kitchen at the Wig & Pen, a tiny Canberra brewpub that became a hotbed for experimentation and innovation. Once he'd swapped the stovetop for the mash tun, Richard started hunting down new ingredients and styles, while playing with barrels and funk long before the craft beer was even called "craft", picking up major awards and influencing many that passed through its doors. Since launching BentSpoke together, alongside the Meddings family who run Bintani, the couple have continued to innovate, helped bring IPA to a wider audience – their unexpected best-seller Crankshaft has topped the GABS Hottest 100 poll twice [https://craftypint.com/news/2835/bentspoke-top-the-gabs-h100-again], and kept winning major awards, all the while adding their voice to discussions around the direction of the local beer industry. As well as reflecting on an incredible three decades in beer, their affinity for the homebrewing world, the state of play for beer today, and future plans for the brewery, arguably the key takeaway from our chat is their ongoing, deep-rooted affection for beer and the community that surrounds it. Prior to the main interview, Will and James discuss some exciting breaking news from Sydney, where a trio of brewing companies under the banner Misfits have taken over Wayward's Camperdown taproom [https://craftypint.com/news/3865/trio-of-brewing-misfits-take-over-waywards-inner-west-taproom] and are opening today. Also in Sydney, we invited Bracket Brewing to reflect on their first five years via five key beers [https://craftypint.com/news/3866/bracket-brewing-five-years-in-five-beers], while there was further positive news as the men's mental health-supporting Convo Crates have been given new life via Nick's Jerky [https://craftypint.com/news/3862/convo-crates-continue-mental-health-crusade-with-new-owners-nick-s-jerky], and Urban Alley announced plans [https://craftypint.com/news/3867/urban-alley-set-to-open-major-new-chadstone-venue] to open a far bigger venue at Chadstone Shopping Centre. We also highlight a trio of upcoming events [https://craftycabal.com/member-events] for our beer club members in Freo, Brisbane and Melbourne, and, of course, issue a reminder to get in your nominations for the Bluestone Yeast Brewery of the Month [https://craftypint.com/bluestone] and Have You Done A Rallings? [https://craftypint.com/rallings] campaigns. Start of segments: * 13:04 – BentSpoke Part 1 * 36:07 – Breaking Down Beer Styles with Mogwai Labs * 42:47 – BentSpoke Part 2 To find out more about featuring on The Crafty Pint Podcast or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact craig@craftypint.com.

"Tumut is a bit of a hidden gem still and one of the things we're trying to do is help put it on the map via the brewery." Late in 2024, two former employees took ownership [https://craftypint.com/news/3642/former-staff-return-tumut-river-brewing-to-its-roots] of Tumut River Brewing Co [https://craftypint.com/brewery/476/tumut-river-brewing-co], a brewpub-based operation at the gateway to the Snowy Mountains that had gone into liquidation. Michael Cichocki and Mary Richmond said their intention was to return the brewery to its community and tourism-focused roots – so we paid them a visit midway through 2025 to find out how their mission was going. We hear about the changes they've made – and are making – to bring in customers old and new, local and passing through, as well as their serendipitous rebrand, a renewed focus on celebrating the region and its history through their new beers and labels, a shared desire to bring more bands to the brewery floor, and much more besides. Before we get to the people behind one of the good news stories of the past 12 months, Will is joined by James from Karijini National Park, where he'd rocked up after attending another fantastic Froth Town and pre-festival warmup event at Phat Brew Club. As well as reflecting on the festival's tenth running, we head to Tasmania as Hobart Brewing Co take over the country's oldest licensed venue [https://craftypint.com/news/3858/history-ahoy-hobart-brewing-co-take-over-the-hope-and-anchor], stopping in Bicheno for a Who Brews…? [https://craftypint.com/news/3860/who-brews-at-bicheno-beer-co] before chatting to Leo Salancon [https://craftypint.com/news/3859/brew-and-a-leo-salancon], the French winemaker, distiller and brewer now heading up operations at Westside Ale Works in Melbourne. Mid-show, we reveal the latest winners in our Bluestone Yeast Brewery of the Month campaign; don't forget to get your nominations in here [https://craftypint.com/bluestone]. Start of segments: * 10:20 – Tumut River Brewing Co Part 1 * 30:35 – Bluestone Yeast Brewery of the Month * 35:33 – Tumut River Brewing Co Part 2 To find out more about featuring on The Crafty Pint Podcast or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact craig@craftypint.com.

"You can be more sustainable and make more money at the same time." Capital Brewing [https://craftypint.com/brewery/375/capital-brewing-co] are well established alongside BentSpoke as part of the ACT beer scene's big two. Despite retaining a tight sales focus on just the Canberra region and New South Wales, they've grown to a current capacity of two million litres per year while operating one of the largest hospitality venues – 1,000 people inside and out – of any brewery in Australia. They've gained public recognition by landing multiple beers in numerous GABS Hottest 100 polls – "Our goal was always to have the best album rather than the best smash hit." – and produce a consistent, approachable core range on the one hand while indulging the brew team's flights of fancy – imperial stout using apple juice instead of water, anyone? – via their pilot brewery and taproom. Central to their story, however, is their focus on operating as upstanding global citizens. Influenced by co-founder Laurence Kain and Tom Hertel's joint love of the outdoors – surfing, long-distance running – they operate one of the leanest, greenest machines in beer and not just because they believe it's the right thing to do; as they explain in our chat, operating more sustainably can be good for your bottom line too. We joined Laurence and the head brewer they enticed from San Diego, Wade Hurley, to discuss all that and more, including Captain Podium, supporting local music, and strong signs that the market is taking a turn for the better. We kick off the show with James joining Will from Purnululu to discuss the latest in MicroStar / Kegstar's proposed acquisition [https://craftypint.com/news/3853/kegstar-release-market-update-following-the-acccs-statement-of-issues] of Konvoy, the Brisbane German Club's joy [https://craftypint.com/news/3852/brisbane-german-clubs-oktoberfest-to-be-even-more-authentically-munich] ahead of their 2025 Oktoberfest, our step Behind Bars with Canberra beer bar To All My Friends [https://craftypint.com/news/3851/behind-bars-to-all-my-friends], Bowden Brewing's expansion in Adelaide, plus our upcoming Froth Town Crafty Crawl [https://craftypint.com/crawls] and event with Evil Mega Corp [https://craftycabal.com/member-events] in Freo in September. We also announce a very worthy winner in our Have You Done A Rallings? [https://craftypint.com/rallings] celebration of the country's good beer citizens. Start of segments: * 17:50 – Capital Brewing Part 1 * 46:26 – Have You Done A Rallings? * 49:18 – Capital Brewing Part 2 To find out more about featuring on The Crafty Pint Podcast or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact craig@craftypint.com.

"I like to say we're the only pub in the world that's a pub, police station and morgue in the same room." One of the key figures in Sydney's craft beer boom was Brad Flowers. He didn't brew beer or run a venue, but through his distribution business he put beers from dozens of Australia's indie brewers onto taps and into fridges, while also running some seriously ambitious events. Brad, it's fair to say, also enjoyed the fruits of his labour as much as anyone in and around the industry, with tales of his escapades – often in cahoots with his beer "family" – becoming the stuff of legend. So, had you asked those who knew him to predict where he'd be in 2025, we doubt anyone would have said: "Running a historic pub in the middle of nowhere." Yet, thanks to the most wonderful turn of events [https://craftypint.com/news/2761/the-overland-corner-hotel-flowers-anew] during the early months of the COVID pandemic, that's what transpired. James joined Brad and wife Nicole at the Overland Corner Hotel [https://www.overlandcornerhotel.com.au/] in SA's Riverland region to hear how they ended up swapping city life for bucolic pleasures. It's a swap they've managed with aplomb, turning a rundown, haunted old hotel into an award-winning destination popular with everyone from grey nomads camping on the adjacent Murray to ravers attracted by the huge events they put on in the quarry from which the stone that built the pub was hewn. They offer great insight into building a regional hospo success story with craft beer at its heart while hinting at even greater plans for the future. Prior to the main interview, James joins Will from Windjana Gorge for a look back at the week on Crafty, covering Kylie Lethbridge's decision [https://craftypint.com/news/3844/kylie-lethbridge-to-depart-the-iba] to step down as CEO of the Independent Brewers Association, the rebirth of the oldest brewery [https://craftypint.com/news/3846/goulburn-brewery-fires-wayback-up] building on the mainland, the launch of an Aussie mezcal brand [https://craftypint.com/news/3848/from-beer-to-beudi], the arrival on The Crafty Pint of Devilbend Farm Beer [https://craftypint.com/brewery/891/devilbend-farm-beer-co], and Will's co-hosting of an upcoming event [https://craftypint.com/event/13790/last-beer-before-paradise] featuring Bendigo Brewing and Seven Sheds. Start of segments: * 17:06 – Grainstock 2025 [https://www.grainstock.com.au/] Teaser 2 * 21:22 – Brad & Nicole Part 1 * 51:54 – Beer30 [https://craftypint.com/business/1322/the-5th-ingredient-beer30] on Purchasing * 60:00 – Brad & Nicole Part 2 To find out more about featuring on The Crafty Pint Podcast or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact craig@craftypint.com.

"We don't produce bulk commodity malt; we're here to create malts that craft brewers and distillers can leverage off." Here at The Crafty Pint we've made little secret of our admiration for the work of Stu Whytcross and Brad Woolner, the founders of Voyager Craft Malt [https://voyagercraftmalt.com.au/]. If we were betting sorts, we'd wager their impact [https://craftypint.com/news/3014/revolution-in-the-riverina] – not just on beer and distilling, but farming and their home region in the Riverina – will be as great as any business to have operated within the wider beer world this century. Ahead of their inaugural Grainstock – a three-day event celebrating grain's role in brewing, distilling and baking for both industry and consumers – we joined them at the Whitton Malt House. It's the mighty impressive venue, accommodation, golf range, fishing lake and more created by Southern Cotton that sits alongside Voyager's equally impressive production facility. As well as discussing their vision for Grainstock [https://www.grainstock.com.au/], they tell us how they've been competitive mates since primary school, how they first considered opening a brewery before heading down the malting route, how early support from Batch Brewing Co and Wildflower founder Topher Boehm helped them get going, how they're working with forward-thinking farmers to promote practices that are better for the land while reigniting interest in ancient and forgotten grains, and much more besides, including their world champion malt [https://craftypint.com/news/3731/golden-australian-grains-more-global-success-for-voyager] and desire to help more local malting operations flourish. From the Riverina to the Northern Kimberley, where James joined Will from a giant termite mound to cast an eye over part three [https://craftypint.com/news/3837/beer-travel-northern-tasmania] of our guide to beer in Tasmania's north, Briony Liebich's guide to tasting beer like a pro [https://craftypint.com/news/3841/beer-basics-how-to-taste-beer-like-a-pro], the latest addition to our venue directory – the Bright Brewery-owned PA's in Carlton [https://craftypint.com/bar/321/prince-alfred-carlton-the-bright-rooftop], the launch of the sixth GABS Can Design Awards [https://craftypint.com/news/3840/show-off-your-cans-in-the-2025-gabs-can-design-awards], and the latest giveaways and events for members of our Crafty Cabal beer club [https://craftycabal.com/]. If you enjoy the show, please like and subscribe, rate and review, and maybe even tell your mates! Start of segments: * 13:15 – Voyager Part 1 * 44:57 – Breaking Down Beer Styles with Mogwai Labs * 51:15 – Voyager Part 2 To find out more about featuring on The Crafty Pint Podcast or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact craig@craftypint.com.

"We've got big plans and big ideas, and want to have some fun with it along the way." Canberra's beer scene has been dominated – in a nice way – by two breweries for the best part of a decade now, but since Cypher Brewing [https://craftypint.com/brewery/793/cypher-brewing] released their first beers in April 2023 the Gungahlin crew have been angling to join BentSpoke and Capital and turn the Big Two into a Big Three. We joined co-owner Jeff Wilson-Shipley and head brewer Matt Thiele at their brewpub as part of our podcast road trip odyssey in June. The former is one of a group of soccer-playing mates from diverse backgrounds behind the brewery, the latter a brewer who joined Capital a month after they launched and moved across town for the chance to take more creative control of a brewhouse. We talked about their ethos and brand, the building of what they refer to as "The Cypher World" – one that seems to involve plans to open a brewpub on Mars, their efforts to celebrate and engage their multicultural local community, balancing hardcore fans' (and their own) desire for big beers with more approachable offerings for the wider market, and their work advocating for indie brewers with the pollies down the road. It's a pretty snappy intro this week, covering the week's news – the founders of pioneering Red Duck Brewery putting the business on the market [https://craftypint.com/news/3832/red-duck-founders-put-brewery-and-distillery-on-the-market] as they approach 20 years; the launch of an indie maltsters association [https://craftypint.com/news/3836/small-maltsters-form-independent-malt-association-western-australia] in WA; tickets going on sale for the industry components of Grainstock [https://www.grainstock.com.au/]– as well as Mick Wüst's lovely tale [https://craftypint.com/news/3835/meet-new-check-mates-with-brisbane-pub-chess] featuring the founders of Brisbane Pub Chess. We also reveal the latest winner in our Bluestone Yeast Brewery of the Month [https://craftypint.com/bluestone] campaign; keep the nominations for that coming, as well as for our Have You Done A Rallings? [https://craftypint.com/rallings] celebration of good beer citizens. Start of segments: * 7:54 – Grainstock 2025 Preview * 11:37 – Cypher Brewing Part 1 * 32:25 – Bluestone Yeast Brewery of the Month * 37:41 – Cypher Brewing Part 2 To find out more about featuring on The Crafty Pint Podcast or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact craig@craftypint.com.

"From very early on, we all agreed that we would play to our strengths." More than a thousand brewing companies have come and, in many cases, gone since the craft beer era began in Australia, but there's never been one quite like One Drop [https://craftypint.com/brewery/482/one-drop-brewing-co]. The Botany-based operation make cracking "normal" beers yet have become a byword for the wild and WTF, the experimental and eccentric. They weren't the first brewery to make smoothie sours, for example, but they've taken such beers – and myriad other styles – to new places others wouldn't have conceived, let alone dared, creating beers that defy the odds and just work.  James joined them at their brewery earlier in the year for a chat about their storming of the GABS Hottest 100 with We Jammin', the serendipitous way brewer Nick Calder-Scholes was discovered by founders Meg Barbic and Clay Grant, their approach to brewing, "contained chaos", being "collectively creative", and moving craft beer away from "pale, male and stale". If you're wondering why this episode is running so late after the recording, it's due to technical issues. It was the first recording with a new setup and somehow James was capturing video at such high quality it filled his laptop's entire hard drive before the chat was over, leaving us with a corrupted file. So lovely was the backdrop for the guests, he was determined to rescue it, but despite many attempts it wasn't to be. That said, the chat is colourful enough to paint vivid pictures with words. There's one of our longer intros this week, as Will and James reflect on the imminent closures of Wayward's taproom [https://craftypint.com/news/3829/powder-monkey-lock-in-akasha-acquisition-wayward-taproom-to-shut] and White Bay Brewery [https://craftypint.com/news/3828/white-bay-brewery-to-leave-their-current-sydney-home] following various mergers and acquisitions. We also discuss the news that Coles and Endeavour Group will be making it clearer which beer brands they own [https://craftypint.com/news/3831/more-transparency-coming-to-big-two-retailers-private-label-beer] – and issue a shout out to anyone who has been de-ranged by the big two retailers (hit up will@craftypint.com if that's you). Other stories from the past week include Guy Southern's wonderful interview [https://craftypint.com/news/3827/the-rewilding-of-feral] with new Feral head brewer Charlotte Freeston and the second part of Benedict Kennedy-Cox's tour of Tasmania's north [https://craftypint.com/news/3830/beer-travel-tasmanias-north-east-and-east-coast], while the show also features the latest winner in our Have You Done A Rallings? [https://craftypint.com/rallings] campaign highlighting the country's good beer citizens. Start of segments: * 20:18 – One Drop Part 1 * 42:25 – Have You Done A Rallings? * 47:31 – One Drop Part 2 To find out more about featuring on The Crafty Pint Podcast or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact craig@craftypint.com.

"At the heart of [the beer industry] is the beer drinker who just loves beer, appreciates quality, and wants to share that experience." Ahead of their biggest event of the year, Ramjet Day, we joined Boatrocker [https://craftypint.com/brewery/215/boatrocker-brewers-and-distillers] founders Matt and Andrea Houghton at their Barrel Room in Braeside. Given Matt and his brewers have released more beers in different styles than pretty much anyone in Australia since 2009 – not to mention their move into spirits after they absorbed former Perth distillery Hippocampus – there's plenty of discussion of their approach beyond the iconic Ramjet and its many spin-offs. We head back well beyond the launch of their first beer, Alpha Queen, to the European travels before they met that opened their eyes to the breadth and beauty of the beer world, how they manage such a diverse portfolio and adapt to the changing market, and the importance of community. After Andrea dashes off to collect their kids from school, Matt offers his thoughts on many of the issues impacting the industry – from cheap kegs and VAs to Australia's convoluted tax system – plus some tips for anyone thinking of starting out today. Prior to the main interview, James joins Will from Kings Canyon to cast an eye over the week's news, including the latter's interview with Eclectic Brewing [https://craftypint.com/news/3824/an-eclectic-brewing-life], a guide to beer in Montreal [https://craftypint.com/news/3822/beer-travel-montreal], and the arrival in our brewery directory of inner-west Sydney breweries Bracket [https://craftypint.com/brewery/631/bracket-brewing] and Pickled Monkey [https://craftypint.com/brewery/863/pickled-monkey-brewing]. We also flag the launch of Blobfish 2025 [https://craftypint.com/event/13742/blobfish-2025] – including a ticket giveaway [https://craftycabal.com/member-events] for our beer club members – and there's the return, mid-show, of Milo Applebottom with another film tie-in for Point Break Brewery Invitational 2025 [https://events.humanitix.com/point-break-brewery-invitational-2025?utm_source=the+crafty+pint&utm_medium=mrec&utm_campaign=june+2025+web+banner]. Start of segments: * 8:49 – Matt & Andrea Houghton, Boatrocker * 40:31 – Point Break Brewery Invitational ft Milo Applebottom * 43:42 – Matt Houghton, Boatrocker To find out more about featuring on The Crafty Pint Podcast or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact craig@craftypint.com.

"These large multinationals aren't really interested in a diverse portfolio of beer. They would love it to be only two products but their hand is forced by independents." Bridge Road Brewers [https://bridgeroadbrewers.com.au/]' story is one of the great stories of the craft beer era. It's centred around a family-founded (and now partially employee-owned) business and features everything from a cross-hemisphere love story, global collaborations and inspired innovation to major events and even the creation of an independent micronation [https://craftypint.com/news/2090/bridge-road-splits-from-australia]. As they celebrate two decades of beers, we joined founders Ben and Maria Kraus at their ever-expanding brewery venue in Beechworth for a trip through the years – right back to the days when Maria was a ski instructor singing in a blues band in the Austrian mountains and Ben was washing glasses in a bar while learning how to make wine. While much of the chat focuses on the evolution of Bridge Road Brewers and the manner in which they've pushed the story of independence as well as anyone in Australia, we also discuss their successful move into non-alc beers, beer tourism, their 20th birthday celebrations, and delicious drunken cows. Before the main interview, Will and James cover the success of relative newcomer Eclectic Brewing [https://craftypint.com/news/3817/eclectic-brewing-top-royal-adelaide-beer-and-cider-awards-for-2025] at last week's Royal Adelaide Beer & Cider Awards, the launch of our new Creating A Venue series [https://craftypint.com/news/3818/creating-a-venue-happy-camper-sets-off], our Who Brews…? feature [https://craftypint.com/news/3819/who-brews-blackwattle-beers] on fledgling Sydney operation Blackwattle Bar + Brewery, and the IBA's call for submissions [https://www.cognitoforms.com/IndependentBrewersAssociation/MarketAccessExamples] in support of their work around market access for indie brewers. Start of segments: * 11:01 – Ben & Maria Part 1 * 37:22 – Bintani Brewery Boosters * 41:35 – Ben & Maria Part 2 To find out more about featuring on The Crafty Pint Podcast or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact craig@craftypint.com.