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The Crafty Pint
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The South Coast Ale Trail has been showcasing the breweries and beers of the picturesque NSW region since 2021.

And now it has its own venue, after trail founder Nigel Ayling opened the South Coast Tap House in Merimbula, with a popular smokehouse rather handily moving in next door last week.
The South Coast Ale Trail Gets Its Own Tap House
Nigel Ayling has spent plenty of time telling the world about the breweries found along the New South Wales South Coast and now he’s showcasing those beers under one roof. In 2021, he launched the Sou...
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December 10, 2025 at 1:10 AM
Joining us for The Year In Beer 2025 – Western Australia edition are Hamish and Mel from Rocky Ridge, reflecting on a massive year for their team, and Chris Bausor, one half of the team running Froth Town

We also chat to our main WA writers Guy Southern and Jono Outred about the wider beer scene.
The Year In Beer 2025 – Western Australia
We kicked off the 2025 edition of The Year In Beer series with a feature article / podcast double-header looking at National Trends as well as the most-read stories of the year on The Crafty Pint. Now...
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December 9, 2025 at 7:14 AM
"Beer simply tastes better in holiday mode."

If you've not started already, we're pretty sure you've got some festive indulgence on the way.

So here's sensory expert and beer educator Briony Liebich of Flavour Logic with a guide to pairing beer with seasonal dishes.
Beer Food: The Aussie Christmas Pairing Guide
The festive period in Australia is many things: family time for some, holiday time for most, and typically a time of indulgence too. Whatever it is for you, and whatever shape any indulgence may take,...
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December 8, 2025 at 4:53 AM
Light beer, fun beer, Guinness beer and indie beer. More community, not enough unity, broken dreams and Oat Kream.

Here's our deep dive into the beer trends of the year across Australia – with an accompanying podcast series to follow.
The Year In Beer 2025: National Trends
Given 2023 and 2024 were out and out shockers for the local beer industry, we’re not sure how much of a compliment it is to describe 2025 as not quite as bad. Indeed, there’s probably an argument to b...
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December 3, 2025 at 7:09 AM
There will be no GABS Festival in 2026, after new owners took control of the business this week and decided to call "a pause".

They plan to bring in "fresh new ideas" and relaunch with a reimagined event in 2027.
GABS 2026 Cancelled; New Owners Planning
The GABS festivals scheduled for Melbourne and Sydney in 2026 are no longer going ahead, after new owners took control of the business this week and decided to call
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December 2, 2025 at 10:59 PM
In less than two weeks, beer lovers across the country will start eagerly unboxing the first of their advent beers.

Jason Treuen spoke to people on both sides of the boxes about the appeal, challenges and occasional mis-advent-ures involved.
Christmas Advent-ures: Inside The Festive Beer Box Boom
Can you hear that? It’s the sound of excited beer fans around the country waiting to open their presents on December 1 (AKA UnBoxing Day). Christmas beer box season is about to begin and these days ch...
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November 19, 2025 at 6:26 AM
“We’re just a bunch of people who genuinely love good booze and good conversation."

Oldfield Cellars launched a decade ago and Central Coast locals have spent the years since enjoying what they do.

We chatted to the Gosford bottleshop's founder about what keeps them passionate and popular.
Golden Oldfield Cellars
Central Coast locals have long known Oldfield Cellars is a special place – and now word has spread further. Earlier this month, the independent bottleshop won the Best Retail Store title at the Austra...
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November 18, 2025 at 7:08 AM
The Grifter Brewing Company have joined the growing ranks of Australia’s B Corp-certified breweries.

We spoke to the Marrickville outfit about the accreditation process, why it matters to them and how they balance looking after their people and the environment while brewing.
The Grifter Brewing Co Become Australia's Latest B Corp Brewery
The Grifter Brewing Co have joined Australia’s growing number of B Corp-certified breweries. B Corp is an internationally-recognised accreditation delivered by the not-for-profit B Lab, which grants t...
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November 17, 2025 at 6:19 AM
Ahead of their 10th birthday and the imminent completion of the DOCA that allowed them to retain the business, we caught up with Bad Shepherd.

Dereck and Diti Hales open up about the challenges of recent years and the lessons they've learned since swapping the corporate world for a brewpub.
Bad Shepherd: Ten Lessons From Ten Years
Dereck and Diti Hales, the founders of Bad Shepherd in Cheltenham, will have had plenty of material to fall back upon when putting together their Ten Lessons From Ten Years reflections ahead of their ...
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November 11, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Building relationships with bars and pubs has long been a key skill in craft beer - but today, is price the only important thing?

One rep shares what it’s like working in sales and how many venues use breweries to make their margin, bargain with the biggest players and improve their cash flow.
The Secret Sales Rep: The Death Of Relationships
On occasion in the past, The Crafty Pint has run articles under The Secret Brewer banner, in which members of the beer industry have raised issues they believe needed addressing. Here the mantle passe...
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November 10, 2025 at 6:14 AM
A decade on from launching, Venom Brewing are set to have a home of their own in Melbourne’s CBD.

They’ve taken over a venue steeped in local craft beer history too, securing the lease for the former site of Mrs Parma’s, one of the city’s original crafty pioneers.
Venom To Open Taproom At Former Mrs Parma's In Melbourne
A decade on from launching, Venom Brewing are set to open a taproom in Melbourne’s CBD. The Venom Brewing Taproom will be located at 19–25 Little Bourke Street, which was once home to one of Melbourne...
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November 7, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Small breweries aren't alone in trying to find the best way to talk about why independence matters when you buy beer.

Following many years of friendship, Ryefield, Voyager and Mogwai have come together to produce a short film that highlights the importance of supporting a local supply chain.
Telling The Story Of Local, Indie Suppliers
Independent brewers have their seal, courtesy of the Independent Brewers Association, but how do those responsible for what goes into beer tell their story? Three independent, New South Wales producer...
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October 29, 2025 at 7:09 AM
Pikes Beer celebrated their tenth anniversary earlier this month, almost 140 years after the current owners' ancestor produced his first beers.

So we invited Alister, the sixth-generation Pike at the helm of the brewery, to share some of the lessons they've learned over the past decade.
Ten Lessons From Ten Years: Pikes Beer Co
Ten years in brewing can feel like a lifetime. Trends rise and fall, drinkers evolve, and what once defined a brewery can shift completely. But through it all, a few things stay constant: passion, per...
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October 27, 2025 at 7:08 AM
The ACCC has opposed MicroStar's proposed acquisition of Konvoy, citing concerns that the sale would lessen competition and negatively impact independent breweries.

In response, Kegstar outlined their disappointment and the potential impact on the local keg pooling market.
ACCC Oppose MicroStar's Proposed Acquisition Of Konvoy; Kegstar Respond With Concerns
The ACCC has announced it will oppose MicroStar's proposed acquisition of Konvoy, citing concerns that the sale would likely lesson competition in the keg pooling market. Microstar operates Kegstar in...
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October 23, 2025 at 12:49 AM
IPA is a broad beer category, and recently, you might have spotted a new style on shelves labelled as a Northern IPA. Behind it is a new limited-release yeast from Lallemand.

We chatted to them about building a style and to some of the brewers exploring the balance between crisp and juicy beers.
True North: Fermenting A New Style Of IPA
The rate might have slowed over the past few years, but the world of craft beer can still feel like a roiling sea of limited releases. New beers, often those with which brewers trial new ingredients, ...
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October 22, 2025 at 5:43 AM
Lion is set to close Stone & Wood's Brisbane brewpub on November 21.

The news follows a series of similar announcements from the brewer in recent years, with Lion saying the “difficult decision” was in response to rising operational costs and ongoing challenges across the hospitality industry.
Lion To Close Stone & Wood's Brisbane Brewpub
Lion will close Stone & Wood’s Brisbane brewpub on November 21. In a statement, the Kirin-owned company said the decision was driven by rising operational costs, challenges within the hospitality indu...
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October 21, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Tocumwal is a small town on the NSW and Victorian border that’s long been a favourite destination for campers.

Today, there’s even more reason to visit thanks to the arrival of Tocumwal Brewing Co.
Who Brews Tocumwal's Beers?
Located by the banks of the Murray River, Tocumwal is a town that swells whenever anyone has the time to call in. Long weekends, school holidays and even the hint of warmer weather see people flock to...
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October 20, 2025 at 7:09 AM
Barossa's craft beer – and hospitality – offering has received a welcome boost with the launch of the Old Mill Brewery.

It brings Rehn Bier, Sally Can Wait andForage Supply Co together under one roof in the heart of Tanunda.
Rehn Bier & Friends Brew A Bigger Barossa Beer Hub
Barossa’s craft beer offering just went up a notch with Rehn Bier opening the doors to a new venue inside an 1848 chaff mill on Tanunda’s main street. The move marks a major step for the brewery, whic...
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October 15, 2025 at 6:11 AM
Ballarat Bitter’s story dates back to 1857, when James Coghlan founded a brewery in the regional city.

Now, his descendant Stephen Coghlan is set to bring the beer — and its beloved mascot, Bertie — back to life after acquiring the brand from CUB's owner, Asahi.
Ballarat Bitter – And Bertie – Back In Family Hands
Ballarat Bitter is once again owned by the family that founded it almost 170 years ago. Stephen Coghlan – a descendant of brewery founder James Coghlan – has purchased the brand and its iconic mascot ...
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October 14, 2025 at 7:03 AM
Lachy Crothers has been brewing for 15 years, including as head brewer at Ballistic, where he launched a range devoted to drinking beers within two months of being brewed.

Now he's sharing that passion through FAFF Beer that sees him send tins to customers across Australia within a week of canning.
Lachy Crothers FAFFs About With Fresh Beer
How fresh is best? For Lachy Crothers, Fresh As F#ck!ng F#ck is best. And that passion has turned into a new project for the experienced brewer with the launch of his direct-to-drinker beer company, F...
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October 13, 2025 at 6:43 AM
Brewers are always searching for new ingredients, and Co-Conspirators have managed to secure something fresh from Fermentis.

SH-45 is a lager strain that unlocks loads of thiols from hops for a crisp and fragrant combination. Ahead of Matriarch Day, we found out more about what it delivers.
Straining At The Bit: CoConspirators' Aussie-First Yeast Experiment
“People did keep asking me what it would taste like, but it’s an experiment right? You know how it’ll work in theory, but you’re not 100 percent sure how it’ll end up.” Fortunately for Deon Smit, he’s...
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October 8, 2025 at 7:03 AM
Perth is set to welcome a new brewpub this week, albeit one with a familiar face behind the beers.

Ahead of Ripple Brewing's opening, Guy Southern caught up with founder and "passionate hedonist" Joel Nash to find out more.
Who Brews Ripple Beers?
Four years is a long time to wait for a beer, especially when all you want to do is open a neighbourhood joint with house made beers, friends in the kitchen, presented in a unique and welcoming locati...
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October 6, 2025 at 6:24 AM
“Nothing is a quick win for us."

This weekend sees Your Mates celebrate ten years since they launched with their flagship pale ale, Larry.

As the Sunshine Coast brewers toast to Larry and the first decade, we asked Hep and McGarry to walk down memory lane with Ten Lessons From Ten Years.
Ten Lessons From Ten Years: Your Mates Brewing
The Your Mates Brewing story is the kind of tale that draws many to craft beer. Two friends come together with an idea that maybe they should start a brewery and, as they dive in head first, they padd...
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October 1, 2025 at 7:19 AM
"The way beer is perceived in Belgium means it gets the attention it deserves”

In a new series, writer and illustrator Rob Horner examines how beer cultures from around the world impact our own.

He commences his tour in conversation with some of the Australians brewing and importing Belgian beers.
The Mash Tun & The Melting Pot: Belgian Australian Beer
As much as Australians love to see themselves as a nation of beer drinkers, a limited culture around the drink has long provided a blank canvas for brewers. By comparison, places like Belgium or Bavar...
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September 30, 2025 at 7:48 AM
A year ago, we took a look at life inside Fermentis' sensory lab.

Following the launch of the company's "Superior Yeast" project, he returns to learn more about the work of the Fermentis Campus, handling tonnes of yeast bricks, and Percy the piercing tool...
Big Yeast, Big Changes
A year ago, Mick Wüst took a look at life inside a sensory lab through the eyes of Dr Gabriela Montandon of Fermentis. Following the launch of the company's
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September 29, 2025 at 8:55 AM