“We want to be inclusive, and be a place where people can feel comfortable and proud to be themselves.”

We had Stomping Ground penciled in for a chat later in the year when the Melbourne-based brewery turns ten. But when they announced they were launching a crowdfunding campaign – one with an ambitious maximum target of $4 million – we decided to bring the episode forward.

It gave us a chance to discuss their decision to go down this route, as well as their views on the often-vexed topic of crowdfunding itself, their expansion plans should the campaign go well (including the proposed location of their first brewpub outside Melbourne), the maturing of the business as it approaches the decade milestone, plus the “brutal” experience and silver lining of their proposed merger with Good Drinks Australia.

Sitting down with co-founders Guy Greenstone and Justin Joiner, plus marketing manager Abbey Packer, also gave us the opportunity to explore the way they’ve built a brand synonymous with their hometown, their come one, come all ethos, the importance of good governance, and forging strong relationships with customers – Friday fuck-ups and all.

This week’s intro comes from Nelson, where Will and James have been hopping between hop farms at harvest time, checking out beating heart of the vibrant NZ hop industry while recording a few podcasts along the way. It covers our feature on the launch of Ryefield Hops’ first exclusive hop variety [https://craftypint.com/news/4020/a-new-frontier-ryefield-hops-release-their-first-exclusive-variety], a postcard from an honorary Aussie Export [https://craftypint.com/news/4017/aussie-exports-cassie-oneill] in London, and the lessons learned [https://craftypint.com/news/4018/ten-lessons-from-ten-years-newcastle-beer-fests-luke-tilse] from ten years running Newcastle Beer Fest.

Start of segments:

 * 0:00 – Intro
 * 11:57 – Guy, Abbey and Justin part 1
 * 45:10 – Preview of The High Country Hop Technical Symposium
 * 51:49 – Guy, Abbey and 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.

Owning Your Stomping Ground

“When people are happy and passionate then the experiences that you have are just going to be better.”

The story of Molly Rose Brewing [https://craftypint.com/brewery/457/molly-rose-brewing] and the man behind it, Nic Sandery, has been one of constant evolution, all in the pursuit of delicious flavours and delightful experiences.

Launched initially as a subscription service while enough pennies were put away to open phase one of the brewery’s home in Collingwood, that original brewpub has since been joined by an ambitious, high-end bar, restaurant and beer garden, then a pilot brewery and rotovap for creating small-batch spirits.

By the time we sat down with Nic for the show – almost a decade on from the first article he wrote for us as he embarked on global travels to study beer, food and drinking cultures around the world – Molly Rose had evolved once more. The team has revamped the “brew-restaurant” part of the venue into what the team refers to as “Collingwood beer hall chic”: more casual, more laid-back, more European in feel.

It felt like the perfect time to chat to one of the finest flavour merchants and most thoughtful figures in the beer world, not just to talk about the recent changes, but also his belief that people will always want nice things, his grandmothers’ values that infuse the business, the turbulence of recent years that saw Molly Rose restructure and go into liquidation at one point, and the importance of community and collaboration.

Prior to sitting down with Nic, we look back at the week that was – and a little further too: to the Royal Queensland Beer Awards [https://craftypint.com/news/4011/royal-queensland-beer-awards-amend-result-of-champion-large-brewery-trophy] and the good news [https://craftypint.com/news/4010/all-happy-in-the-valley] that trophy-winners Happy Valley shared afterwards; a feature on KAIJU! brewer Kat Howes as she joined the brewery’s women to create a beer for International Women’s Day; a new beer history tour by one of our writers; Tilray’s purchase [https://craftypint.com/news/4013/tilray-acquires-brewdog-australia] of BrewDog Australia; and our involvement in the upcoming High Country Hop Technical Symposium [https://craftypint.com/event/13975/the-high-country-hop-technical-symposium-2026].

Start of segments:
 * 0:00 – The Week On Crafty
 * 14:22 – Nic Sandery Part 1
 * 32:52 – Philter on their Australian International Beer Awards [https://www.melbourneroyal.com.au/beer] success – Part 1
 * 33:55 – Nic Sandery Part 2
 * 59:11 – AIBAs Part 2

To find out more about featuring on The Crafty Pint Podcast or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact craig@craftypint.com.

The Evolution Of A Dream – Molly Rose Brewing

“The brewpub model has proven itself to be the right model over the last few years.”

Few people have been through as eventful a few years as Dave Padden. The founder of Akasha Brewing spearheaded a successful crowdfunding campaign in 2022 which enabled the acquisition of two new venues, only for one of them to later close overnight, followed by a period in voluntary administration, and a subsequent merger with fellow Sydney operation Wayward.

Soon afterwards, both businesses were acquired by the Powder Monkey Group [https://craftypint.com/news/3829/powder-monkey-lock-in-akasha-acquisition-wayward-taproom-to-shut], a UK-based operation whose Australian wing, headed by Southern Highlands Brewing founder Ben Twomey, now owns all of the above plus Willie the Boatman.

Confused? You’ve every reason to be, but help is at hand.

Dave is now the GM for Powder Monkey Australia, so we joined him at the soon-to-open Powder Monkey brewpub in Camden to find out how the brands are working together within the group, as well as what its founders’ goals are – both here and overseas.

We also trace his time in the beer industry, from the pioneering 77 and 777 IPAs he created at his first brewery, Riverside, to the recent roller-coaster at Akasha. And we explore his approach to brewing while seeking his thoughts on the state of the wider industry.

There was plenty for Will and James to discuss in this week’s intro too: the launch of HPA’s new hop Luna [https://craftypint.com/news/4002/hpa-shoot-for-the-moon-with-new-hop-luna]; Cheeky Monkey’s plans [https://craftypint.com/news/4005/cheeky-monkey-to-open-a-new-venue-in-perths-cbd] for a fourth venue; Loam and Voyager’s success [https://craftypint.com/news/4004/loam-and-voyager-fly-the-flag-for-australia-at-2026-malt-cup] at the 2026 Malt Cup; the launch of the Cross Keys Hotel [https://craftypint.com/news/4000/newcastle-beer-hospo-legends-open-their-latest-pub] in Newcastle; and Stoic’s acquisition of Bass Point Brewing [https://craftypint.com/news/4003/stoic-brewing-expand-into-shellharbour-by-acquiring-bass-point] in Shellharbour.

In fact, so much has happened in the week since our last show that we even forgot to talk about the launch of the lineup for our very own festival, Pint of Origin [https://craftypint.com/news/4006/mark-your-diaries-pint-of-origin-returns-in-may]… Speaking of festivals, look out for a High Country Hop Technical Symposium [https://thehighcountryhop.com.au/technical-symposium-1] preview with festival founder Ben Kraus midway through the show.

Start of segments:
 * 0:00 – Intro
 * 18:55 – Dave Padden Part 1
 * 38:50 – The High Country Hop Technical Symposium
 * 42:16 – Dave Padden Part 2

To find out more about featuring on The Crafty Pint Podcast or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact craig@craftypint.com.

Powder Monkey Business – Dave Padden

In this exclusive series - The New Hop Order, presented by HPA - The Crafty Pint Podcast explores what’s happening on the cutting edge of hop innovation from breeding and processing to brewing. 

In this episode, we’re celebrating the launch of Luna®, a new flavour hop from HPA’s powerhouse breeding program, tracking its fascinating 20-plus year journey to commercialisation with HPA’s Head of Breeding & Research Dr Simon Whittock. 

We also talk with Bright Brewery’s Operations Manager Lewis Kerr, for his insights on the new hop.

THE NEW HOP ORDER: Launching Luna®, Australia’s New Flavour Hop.

“We built a business that was really there to be connected directly to the community, and I think we succeeded in that.”

There are plenty of family-owned and run businesses in the local beer world, but few in which so many family members are as directly involved as Five Barrel Brewing in Wollongong.

As if to prove the point, on the day we visited to record this podcast, Jane (mum) and Mike (dad) were setting up the bar and beer garden. Meanwhile, two of their three kids working in the business, Phil and Lucy, took a break from work to join us upstairs above the brewpub where, at various times, both Phil and his parents have lived. And it wasn’t long before brother Tim got a mention too, in relation to a new side business he and Phil have just launched (which we learned about from Mike).

The O’Sheas first opened Five Barrel in December 2015, just the second brewery in the Illawarra. Now, as they celebrate their first decade [https://craftypint.com/news/3959/five-barrel-ten-lessons-from-ten-years], they’re part of a far larger local beer scene, which itself forms the start of an ever-longer South Coast Ale Trail stretching most of the way to the Victorian border. It’s a scene in which they helped pave the way for the others, the evolution of which is just one of the topics covered in this episode.

As well as reflecting on the ten years-and-counting – from the early days pouring samples in a restricted tasting room, releasing Hoppy Amber, and winning best brewery at the 2016 Sydney Craft Beer Week – right through to the launch of brewery software platform Abbl [https://craftypint.com/business/1320/abbl-brewery-management-software] and plans to find a new home in the coming years, Lucy and Phil share insights on all manner of subjects relevant to anyone working in the craft beer community – all in typically thoughtful style.

Prior to that chat, our look back on the week that was takes in our man in the South West’s day spent soaking up the sights and smells [https://craftypint.com/news/3995/margaret-rivers-bines-amid-the-vines] of Margaret River Hops, part two [https://craftypint.com/news/3996/crafty-crawls-melbournes-metro-tunnel-part-ii] of our Metro Tunnel Crafty Crawl, the new-look Molly Rose [https://craftypint.com/brewery/457/molly-rose-brewing], and our jam-packed, inspiring trip to NSW [https://www.instagram.com/p/DVKgZ12k-wG/?img_index=1].

If you enjoy the show, please feel free to like and subscribe, rate and review wherever you watch or listen. And feel free to get in touch with ideas and feedback.

Start of segments:

 * 0:00 – The Week On Crafty
 * 12:56 – Lucy & Phil Part 1
 * 34:21 – Bowimi [https://www.bowimi.com/crafty-pint/]: Managing Multiple Drinks Brands With An All-In-One Sales CRM
 * 39:37 – Lucy & Phil Part 2

To find out more about featuring on The Crafty Pint Podcast or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact craig@craftypint.com.

Five Barrels. Ten Years. One Family.

“How rock n’ roll to take our largest space and fill it with 20,000 litres of barrel-aged beer.”

There’s little in Australian beer like Felons Brewing [https://craftypint.com/brewery/443/felons-brewing-co]. First appearing as part of the Howard Smith Wharves (now Artemus Group) development on the Brisbane River as it flows under the iconic Story Bridge, the brewery’s home has steadily gobbled up more of the riverbank to the point its multiple venues can host thousands.

Since late 2024, they’ve been steadily taking over [https://craftypint.com/bar/1469/felons-manly] the equally iconic Manly Wharf, most recently opening the Barrel Room live music venue (in addition to the Barrel Hall [https://craftypint.com/bar/1171/felons-barrel-hall] in Brisbane) and a seafood restaurant for which they’ve devised a way to pour their lager at sub-zero temperatures for maximum crispiness.

Such grandiosity, especially in an era of frugality for many, might seem at odds with much of the indie beer industry. Yet, as our chat with head brewer Tom Champion and brand director Dean Romeo – two of the Little Creatures alumni brought into the business before it launched – shows, they’re community players, in beer and elsewhere, driven by a belief that a rising tide lifts all boats. Or, in this case, indie brewers.

What’s more, there are few breweries in Australia with similar potential to act as a first point of contact for newcomers to craft beer.

Our conversation takes in their story to date, their approach to hospitality, events and collaborations, maintaining one of the country’s largest barrel programs within such a large commercial entity, their thoughts on the wider beer industry, beer tourism and more.

On the eve of a trip to New South Wales to record more podcasts, catch up with beer world mates old and new, and host an event with Wildflower and Garage Project, Will and James open the show with a look at the week on Crafty: a new Crafty Crawl [https://craftypint.com/news/3990/crafty-crawls-melbournes-metro-tunnel-part-1] via Melbourne’s new Metro Tunnel; an entertaining tenth anniversary Brew & A with Young Henrys’ head brewer [https://craftypint.com/news/3991/brew-and-a-jesse-searls-marks-a-decade-at-young-henrys]; and the launch of Allday Brewing [https://craftypint.com/news/3989/who-brews-allday-beers] by the mates behind Forward Hops beer importers.

Start of segments:
 * 0:00 – The Week On Crafty
 * 14:05 – Dean & Tom Part 1
 * 44:08 – Pint of Origin Festival 2026 Promo
 * 45:00 – Dean & Tom Part 2

To find out more about featuring on The Crafty Pint Podcast or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact craig@craftypint.com.

Felons' Lavish Land Grab

“I really love this industry and I love the people.”

Steve Jeffares requires no introduction for pretty much anyone working in the Australian beer world – or, for that matter, for many of the country’s beer drinkers.

Since relaunching his pub in St Kilda as The Local Taphouse back in 2008, inspired by legendary US venues like Toronado, he’s been part of the small team responsible for creating the GABS festivals and Hottest 100, as well as Stomping Ground Brewery and its multiple venues.

Last year, he struck out on his own to create a new venue [https://craftypint.com/news/3967/creating-a-venue-iv-huzzah-at-last] with beer at its core: Huzzah [https://craftypint.com/bar/1503/huzzah] opened on the former site of Deed Brewing on January 2, combining indoor beer garden, dining areas, a vast bar, pool table, darts, bocce and more.

And, while we discuss his approach to opening a hospo venue in 2026 compared to 2008 in this episode – how times have changed but how certain core principles remain the same – we also take the opportunity to pick the brains of this most experienced and creative of operators in other areas.

The chat covers the rise of vast, homogenous hospitality groups and the opportunities this opens up for smaller, indie owners, his take on the future of GABS after the 2026 festivals were cancelled, and the health of the wider craft beer industry in Australia.

Prior to welcoming Steve onto the show, we discuss James’ new position [https://www.instagram.com/p/DUXKao9k0Gf/] as a director of the Independent Brewers Association as well as the week’s news, including Kegstar’s fresh bid [https://craftypint.com/news/3985/kegstar-resubmit-proposal-to-acquire-konvoy] to acquire Konvoy, our new Building A Brewery [https://craftypint.com/news/3987/building-a-brewery-striking-the-black-match] series, a feature on Hawkers’ well-travelled head brewer [https://craftypint.com/news/3986/brew-and-a-alex-lovelock-hawkers] ahead of the brewery’s 11th birthday, and the upcoming High Country Hop Technical Symposium [https://craftypint.com/news/3984/the-high-country-hops-technical-symposium-returns-for-2026-stones-jeremy-moynier-to-headline].

Start of segments:

 * 13:08 – Steve Jeffares Part 1
 * 37:13 – Bowimi [https://www.bowimi.com/crafty-pint/] on Froth Distribution
 * 42:48 – Steve Jeffares Part 2

To find out more about featuring on The Crafty Pint Podcast or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact craig@craftypint.com.

Ahead Of The Game – Steve Jeffares

“We want to pay proper homage to the ten years of people that have come and made this their home.”

When Wildflower co-founder and visionary Topher Boehm announced he was to close the Marrickville venue [https://craftypint.com/news/3980/au-revoir-not-goodbye-wildflower-to-close-marrickville-home-in-may] the brewers and blenders had called home for a decade, it didn’t just send ripples through the beer world – the story was picked up by mainstream media too.

Perhaps that’s only to be expected: in terms of impact made per litre of beer sold, there can be few operations anywhere on the planet that would come close to this magical corner of the Australian beer world.

That impact can be measured by the quality and sheer delightfulness of their many releases, the transformative nature of their Marrickville base, the team’s advocacy for other producers and growers, as well as for better ways of producing and growing [https://craftypint.com/news/3910/episode-068-going-with-the-grain], and in the generous manner in which they would share their experiences, knowledge and learnings.

As soon as we got word Wildflower was to close at the end of May – at least for now, and in its current form – there was no question we’d invite him back onto the show. So grab a glass – or bottle – of your favourite mixed-culture beer and settle in as Topher tells us what led him here, how he thinks Wildflower might evolve, and shares stories and reflections from the past decade-plus.

It’s our longest episode to date – which won’t surprise anyone who knows our guest – but we’re sure you won’t be calling stumps early.

Before we get to Topher, James and Will discuss the impending opening of a venue [https://craftypint.com/news/3979/sobremesa-to-open-reservoir-taproom] by an operation with similarities to Wildflower, the ongoing rise of non-alc beers [https://craftypint.com/news/3981/tapping-into-non-alcs], the arrival in the Crafty directory of Melbourne bars Rose Island [https://craftypint.com/bar-bottleshop/1498/rose-island] and mates. [https://craftypint.com/bar-bottleshop/1267/mates-bar-and-bottleshop], plus the opening of entries [https://craftypint.com/event/13963/entries-open-for-the-2026-australian-international-beer-awards] for the 2026 Australian International Beer Awards, and the latest events and giveaways for our Crafty Cabal beer club members.

Please like, subscribe and tell your beer-loving mates if you enjoy the show too!

Start of segments:
 * 16:18 – Topher Boehm Part 1
 * 54:04 – The High Country Hop 2026 [https://thehighcountryhop.com.au/] Preview 1
 * 59:31 – Topher Boehm Part 2

To find out more about featuring on The Crafty Pint Podcast or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact craig@craftypint.com.

Ten Years On The Wild Side – Wildflower Brewing & Blending

“We’re all from here, and we want to give back.”

When Ryefield Hops started producing hops commercially on land formerly used for dairy in the South Coast region, they were the first to do so in New South Wales. A decade on from launching the business, the family operation run by Jade McManus and Morgan and Karen Taylor remains the only grower in the state.

Now the third largest producer of hops in the country, admittedly with just 0.5 percent of the market, they’re standard-bearers when it comes to sustainability – in all facets of the business – and part of a small but growing band of indie suppliers working alongside the local brewing industry.

James joined them at their farm in the beautiful Bemboka Valley just as much-needed rain arrived – thankfully wrapping up the chat just as the heavens really opened. The trio took him through the genesis of the project, their first customers (Batch and Wildflower), subsequent growth, installation of a pelletiser, and plans for the future.

They addressed the challenges of being first-generation farmers, dealing with buying plants that weren’t as advertised, the steps they take to give back to the land as well as their local community, their delight at seeing Ryefield Hops [https://craftypint.com/business/1492/ryefield-hops] introduced into core range beers, and partnering with fellow indies [https://craftypint.com/news/3918/telling-the-story-of-local-indie-suppliers], such as Voyager Craft Malt and Mogwai Labs.

The discussion of the week’s news looks back at the weekend’s Hottest 100 countdown [https://craftypint.com/news/3974/mountain-culture-maintain-the-status-quo-with-a-fourth-straight-gabs-hottest-100-win] and forward to the impending launch of The Beer Championships [https://craftypint.com/news/3975/leading-figures-in-aussie-beer-to-launch-new-awards-competition] – a new competition for the beer industry conceived by two of the country’s best-known brewers and judges.

Start of segments:
 * 13:51 – Ryefield Hops Part 1
 * 36:59 – Enter the Royal Queensland Beer Awards
 * 38:04 – Ryefield Hops Part 2

To find out more about featuring on The Crafty Pint Podcast or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact craig@craftypint.com.

Growing Organically: Pioneering Hops In NSW ft Ryefield Hops

“Anything that’s happening in our area we try to be a part of.”

The Crafty Pint Podcast returns for 2026 in the company of Renn Blackman, one half of the powerhouse husband-and-wife team behind one of the sunniest and funnest breweries in the country.

The family influence at Blackman’s [https://craftypint.com/brewery/250/blackmans-brewery] runs deeper than just Renn and Jess too: parents and others helped get the business up and running – quite literally when it’s come to knocking their venues into shape – and some are acknowledged in core range beer names.

They’re also big on community, sponsoring many causes and clubs, as well as partnering with events big and small throughout the Surf Coast and Geelong region. They’ve brewed beer for the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race and you can now enjoy their beers at the Cats’ stadium – a major achievement for lifelong Geelong fan Renn.

As well as discussing the ethos that’s helped Blackman’s evolve to where they are today, Renn tells us how he and Jess first met while working a snow season, about their travels both within Australia and overseas, the genesis of the brewery, their decision to operate multiple venues before such an approach started becoming commonplace, diversifying, running fun events, and the secret (or not-so-secret) to making great beer.

At the start of the show, Will and James round up the stories we’ve published so far this year: the return of a Hop Nation founder to his winemaking roots [https://craftypint.com/news/3965/hop-nation-co-founder-duncan-gibson-departs-to-return-to-his-roots]; the launch of one hospo pioneer’s new venue [https://craftypint.com/news/3967/creating-a-venue-iv-huzzah-at-last]; a bucolic experience on Phillip Island [https://craftypint.com/news/3966/green-gully-get-greenlight-for-their-phillip-island-farm-bar]; and a new culture club in Tassie [https://craftypint.com/news/3968/fermenthq-tasmanias-new-culture-club].

If you enjoy the show, please like, subscribe, rate and review on whichever podcast platform you use.

Start of segments:

 * 18:44 – Renn Blackman Part 1
 * 39:36 – Enter the Royal Queensland Beer Awards
 * 40:40 – Renn Blackman 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 Are Family – Blackman's Brewery

The Crafty Pint is the home of craft beer in Australia.

The online magazine and resource has been crafting beer's best stories since 2010 and, in July 2024, launched The Crafty Pint Podcast.

Hosted by the editorial team behind Australia's leading craft beer media publication, the show features curated discussion of industry news, as well as an ever-changing lineup of guests sharing perspectives from all corners of the craft beer world.

Subscribe now and delve into the fascinating stories shaping beer.

James Smith

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