There’s a special edition of The Crafty Pint Podcast this week as we come to you from the Australian International Beer Awards.

The country’s biggest annual beer competition, which is now into its fourth decade, took place at the Melbourne Showgrounds on May 15, where hundreds gathered to see which beers and brewers would be heading home laden with trophies.

As soon as the last trophy had been handed out, with Champion Australian Beer going to the unheralded Wedgetail Brewing from WA, Will and James grabbed a couple of the trophy winners for a quick chat as they celebrated, then headed next door to reflect on this year's results.

There was much to discuss, with a colourful blend of the familiar and fresh-faced, repeat winners and newcomers, and a great night overall for local brewers, with Aussies claiming the vast majority of the beer and cider trophies on offer.

We were joined by a special guest too: Guy Southern has been covering the WA beer scene for The Crafty Pint for many a moon now while also building a career across the state’s drinks industry. He won Best Media for 2025, flying in from Perth to collect his trophy, which was handed to him by last year’s winner, Will. 

After the break, we also take a peek behind the scenes at this year’s judging. We joined Kirrily Waldhorn, a long-time host and judge at the awards who now oversees competitions for Melbourne Royal, and Emily Usher, a brewer at Mountain Goat, as the 2,000-plus entries were being put to the test.

And, while in celebratory mood, we want to remind people to get nominations in for their Bluestone Yeast Brewery of the Month and the "Have You Done A Rallings?" campaign showcasing good beer citizens.

Start of segments:

 * From start – Guy Southern
 * 14:20 – Mick Neil and Stef Constantoulas – Philter
 * 17:37 – Grace Fowler – Reckless Brewing
 * 21:17 – Kirrily Waldhorn – Melbourne Royal
 * 30:23 – Emily Usher – Mountain Goat

Relevant links:

 * AIBA 2025 Results [https://craftypint.com/news/3773/tiny-wa-brewery-wedgetail-win-champion-australian-beer-at-2025-aibas]
 * Philter Brewing [https://www.philterbrewing.com/]
 * Reckless Brewing [https://www.recklessbrewingco.com.au/]
 * Nominate a Brewery of the Month [https://craftypint.com/bluestone]
 * Nominate a good beer citizen [https://craftypint.com/rallings]
 * Klippakan [https://www.klippakan.com.au/]

To find out more about supporting the show or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact craig@craftypint.com.

Australian International Beer Awards 2025

In partnership with HPA, Australia's leading hop grower, we're delighted to publish a series of podcast episodes - an Aussie Hop Series - looking closely at some of the country's most recognised and impactful hop varieties.

We'll be speaking with leading brewers from across Australia and abroad, as well as experts from HPA, discussing their experience with these iconic hops, what they've learned along the way, as well as some technical tips and tricks to maximise the impact of these hops in their beers.

In this first episode, we spoke to Caolan Vaughan, head brewer at Stone & Wood, and Michael Capaldo from HPA, about Galaxy, a hop that today needs almost no introduction. We hope you enjoy the chat!

For more information on HPA and their range of hops, visit https://www.hops.com.au/

Aussie Hops Series: Galaxy - Presented By HPA

"There's so much more than just drinking a beer. It's about the environment, the culture, and sharing it with friends."

Most people in their very early 30s are probably just about working out what they want to do with their lives. In Steph Howard's case, she's already off to start a new career having left an indelible mark on the beer industry on both sides of The Ditch.

For many, the young Kiwi has been the face of Cryer Malt, then Barrett Burston – certainly once David Cryer had sold his business and returned to his epic collection of comic books – and an everpresent at industry events not just in Australia and New Zealand but across the globe.

After landing a job with David straight from uni, Steph swiftly moved from someone who didn't drink beer to someone intricately involved in the craft beer scene as it evolved from the fringes. A baptism of fire showed this was someone who would most definitely swim not sink, making her recent announcement that she was moving back to New Zealand and into the dairy industry one that caught many in the beer world by surprise.

In the midst of packing her bags, Steph joined us to reflect on her decade in the beer world, the changes she's witnessed, the friends she's made, and the people that inspired her over the years.

Before we join Steph, Will and James chat about TWØBAYS' remarkable success at the World Beer Cup, the latest example of a brewery opening an experience-led space – Chalky's from Bucketty's, HPA's 2025 hop report, and Pint of Origin, which runs from May 9 to 18.

Start of segments:

 * 13:02 – Steph Howard Part 1
 * 36:42 – Steph Howard Part 2

Relevant links:

 * Steph Howard's New Heights [https://craftypint.com/news/2975/steph-howards-new-heights]
 * David Cryer – 30 and Out [https://craftypint.com/news/2939/david-cryer-30-and-out]
 * Cryer Malt [https://cryermalt.com/]
 * TWØBAYS World Beer Cup Win [https://craftypint.com/news/3761/twobays-win-back-to-back-gold-at-world-beer-cup]
 * Bucketty's Open Chalky's [https://craftypint.com/news/3760/buckettys-brewing-open-chalkys-celebrate-home-town-win]
 * Pint of Origin 2025 [https://pintoforigin.com/]
 * Beer Cocktails [https://craftypint.com/news/3763/beer-cocktails-with-matt-at-melville-the-pint-of-origin-sour]
 * Roxset Australia [https://craftypint.com/business/1051/roxset-australia]

To find out more about supporting the show or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact craig@craftypint.com.

The Malt Maven

“People attract people. It’s that simple. Nobody wants to sit in an empty room.”

If you've visited The Lincoln – a 171-years-and-counting-old corner pub on the edge of Melbourne's CBD – at any point in the past decade, there's a good chance you'll have enjoyed the experience. After all, as we like to put it: they do everything excellently, all the time – and the team has a bulging trophy cabinet that suggests we're not alone.

As they prepare to showcase the Tasmanian beer scene once again for the Pint of Origin festival, we sat down with Iain Ling, who bought the pub with wife Stella in 2014, for a chat about what goes into running a great pub and creating the sort of community that has evolved at The Lincoln.

We also delve into the backstory of one of the Melbourne hospo scene's true characters – one that took in club promotion, fine dining and high-end retail in England before he moved to Australia, where he ran Movida Aqui prior to becoming a publican.

It's a conversation that goes as deep as it does wide, covering Tetris ninjas, kissing frogs and the challenges of surviving and thriving in the industry on the one hand, to the joy that comes from packing a venue with punters in what he believes is a golden era for pubs, albeit one that's threatened by sky-high taxes and rocketing prices.

Before Iain shares his hard-earned wisdom, Will and James reflect on the glorious career in beer of Evan Cray, who this month switched craft beer for Tabasco after being a central, yet humble, figure in the rise of beer in Melbourne since he was old enough to drink it.

We also look forward to Pint of Origin, which launches on May 9, as well as the festival's "Pining for a taste of home" competition that started this week.

Start of segments:

 * 9:14 – Iain Ling Part 1
 * 39:27 – Iain Ling Part 2

Relevant links:

 * The Lincoln [https://www.hotellincoln.com.au/]
 * Pint of Origin 2025 [https://pintoforigin.com/]
 * Pining For A Taste Of Home [https://pintoforigin.com/pining-for-a-taste-of-home] Competition
 * Craft Beer Heroes: Evan Cray [https://craftypint.com/news/3758/craft-beer-heroes-evan-cray]
 * Klippakan [https://www.klippakan.com.au/]
 * Nominate a good beer citizen [https://craftypint.com/rallings]
 * Nominate a Bluestone Yeast Brewery of the Month [https://craftypint.com/bluestone]

To find out more about supporting the show or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact craig@craftypint.com.

A Golden Era For Pubs - But Can It Last?

"The nature of our brewery definitely comes across in our beers. I like to think of our brewhouse and fermenters as the terroir."

Bruny Island is quite unlike anywhere else in Australia and, fittingly, Bruny Island Beer Co is a truly unique operation too.

The brewery's story began in 2003 when Nick Haddow founded Bruny Island Cheese Co; in the years since, he's become a well-known champion of Tasmania, its produce, and the art of making cheese with integrity.

In 2016, Nick launched the brewing wing of the venture with Evan and Steph Hunter, who have since moved to the mainland and helped launch Bendigo Brewing. As with the cheese, Bruny Island beers have a focus on place, utilising local ingredients and eschewing more common styles.

These days, brewing is headed up by Luke Rutland, a former Stone & Wood brewer, who is joined in the brewhouse by several brewers, including Amy Beavan. 

While in Hobart for the CIBD convention, we caught up with Nick, Luke and Amy to learn more about their stories, the cheese, the beer, and what life is like on beautiful Bruny Island.

Ahead of the main interview, James and Will reflect on Fox Friday and the group's associated businesses, Carwyn Cellars and the Moonah Hotel, entering voluntary administration as well as our feature shadowing Aussie brewers at the NZ hop harvest. You’ll also discover the identity of our latest Bluestone Yeast Brewery of the Month.

Start of segments:

 * 7:54 – Bruny Island Beer Co Part 1
 * 26:38 – Bluestone Yeast Brewery of the Month
 * 29:57 – Bruny Island Beer Co Part 2

Relevant links:

 * Bruny Island Cheese Co [https://brunyislandcheese.com.au/]
 * Bruny Island Beer Co [https://craftypint.com/brewery/351/bruny-island-beer-co]
 * Fox Friday Enter Voluntary Administration [https://craftypint.com/news/3754/fox-friday-enters-voluntary-administration]
 * Where The Cash From First Guardian Went [https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/private-credit-bust-where-falcon-capital-invested-first-guardian-funds/news-story/4fb108ce917614775c28309df11792c3]
 * Beer Travel - Québec City [https://craftypint.com/news/3751/beer-travel-quebec-city]
 * From Beer To Bine [https://craftypint.com/news/3756/from-bine-to-beer-on-tour-with-aussie-brewers-at-the-nz-hop-harvest] at Clayton Hops [https://craftypint.com/business/1382/clayton-hops]
 * Pint of Origin 2025 [https://pintoforigin.com/]
 * Nominate a good beer citizen [https://craftypint.com/rallings]
 * Nominate a Bluestone Yeast Brewery of the Month [https://craftypint.com/bluestone]

To find out more about supporting the show or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact craig@craftypint.com.

Beer, Cheese & Life On Beautiful Bruny

"A lot of customers are very concerned about their carbon footprint."

For all the challenges faced by the beer industry, it’s one that continues to forge ahead in many areas, not least when it comes to sustainability.

Whether the focus is powering breweries, recycling or reusing ingredients, supporting organic and regenerative farming practices, or creating new and innovative ways of cutting waste, the brewing industry and those with which it shares a symbiotic relationship are often hotbeds for fostering sustainable practices.

It’s an area we’ve covered extensively on The Crafty Pint and, in this episode of our podcast, Craig Williams brings together a panel of pioneers from different businesses helping drive industries in a more eco-friendly direction.

He’s joined by George Wade, co-founder of UK-based Zevero [https://craftypint.com/news/3539/zeveros-mission-to-help-breweries-cut-emissions], which helps breweries calculate their carbon emissions, Tom Field, founder of Sydney-based Bearhug Pallet Wraps [https://craftypint.com/news/3053/going-green-bearhug-pallet-wrap], and Jonathon Buntz, from Ecogrip [https://craftypint.com/business/1422/ecogrip], producer of 100 percent Australian-owned and manufactured recycled plastic can holders.

As well as exploring the genesis for each of their businesses and how they’re helping customers operate in a more sustainable manner, they discuss the benefits to brewers, the challenges of persuading more businesses to implement new sustainability measures in tough economic times, and how business owners can take their first steps in this direction.

Prior to the panel discussion, Craig is joined by James at Moffat Beach Brewing’s Caloundra Production House (where they’d recorded a future show) to look back at another big week in beer – and that was before the news about Fox Friday’s voluntary administration [https://craftypint.com/news/3754/fox-friday-enters-voluntary-administration] broke.

The Akasha-Wayward unification [https://craftypint.com/news/3748/akasha-and-wayward-join-forces] and rebirth of Molly Rose [https://craftypint.com/news/3750/molly-rose-to-reopen-today-11-days-after-calling-in-liquidators] from liquidation, plus a recent post by Phil Cook on his Beer Diary site, spark a discussion about independence, its meaning and relevance, while Craig offers insight on Steve Jeffares’ takeover [https://craftypint.com/news/3752/steve-jeffares-secures-the-former-home-of-deeds] of the former Deeds Brewing site, after working with him on GABS for four years.

We pump up the launch of the Pint of Origin program [https://pintoforigin.com/] ahead of the festival’s return on May 9, and in the middle of the show shout out the latest winners in the Have You Done A Rallings? campaign celebrating good beer citizens – nominate yours here [https://craftypint.com/rallings].

Start of segments:

 * 17:12 – Sustainability Panel Part 1
 * 34:12 – Have You Done A Rallings Winners
 * 38:49 – Sustainability Panel Part 2

Other relevant links

 * Zevero's Starter Sustainability Kit For Brewers [https://pitch.com/v/decarbonisation-checklist-anz-k3swgi]
 * Bearhug Pallet Wraps [https://www.bearhug.au/]
 * Ecogrip [https://www.ecogrip.com.au/]
 * Nominate a Brewery of the Month [https://craftypint.com/bluestone]

To find out more about supporting the show or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact craig@craftypint.com.

NB We mention a travel article on Québec in the intro, but publication has been pushed back due to the breaking news regarding Fox Friday.



Understanding Sustainable Brewing

"Balance is key for me in beer. I really love when a brewer can execute the balance between malt, hops and yeast."

Dave Macgill is a brewer whose name will be well known to many in all parts of the Australian beer industry. For many years, he was head brewer at Tasmania’s Moo Brew, just one of three people to hold the reins at the pioneering brewery across its 20-year history.

These days, you’ll find him at Deep South Brewing Co, the North Hobart brewery he launched in 2021 with some old mates. While visiting Hobart earlier in the year, Will and Craig caught up with Dave to chat about the Deep South story, his time at Moo, and his continued passion and optimism for the beer industry.

Before the interview, James and Will talk about The Crafty Pint’s recent Beer By Design features focusing on trends and the artists who bring beer cans to life, our Brew & A with Becky Centeno, and the Pint of Origin 2025 festival program launch.

As ever, don’t forget to submit your entries for our Have You Done A Rallings? celebration of the country’s good beer citizens, as well as your nominations for Bluestone Yeast’s Brewery of the Month.

Start of segments:

 * 8:05  – Dave Macgill Part 1
 * 26:48 – Dave Macgill Part 2

Relevant links:

 * Beer By Design: The Artists [https://craftypint.com/news/3732/beer-by-design-the-artists]
 * Beer By Design: The Trends [https://craftypint.com/news/3740/beer-by-design-the-trends]
 * Brew & A: Becky Centeno [https://craftypint.com/news/3744/brew-and-a-becky-centeno]
 * Pint of Origin 2025 [https://pintoforigin.com/]
 * Dave Heads Deep South [https://craftypint.com/news/2716/dave-heads-deep-south]
 * Deep South Brewing Co [https://craftypint.com/brewery/671/deep-south-brewing-co]
 * Nominate a good beer citizen [https://craftypint.com/rallings]
 * Nominate a Bluestone Yeast Brewery of the Month [https://craftypint.com/bluestone]

To find out more about supporting the show or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact craig@craftypint.com.

Brewing In The Deep South

In an industry with no shortage of hop lovers, Tom Shellhammer’s interest in the wondrous plant goes further than most. 

The Professor of Fermentation Science at Oregon State University is an internationally-recognised expert in hop chemistry who frequently travels the globe to provide his insights into all things hops. Indeed, as this podcast goes live, Tom is spending a multi-month sabbatical in New Zealand in order to better understand the industry there. 

Taking advantage of his time Down Under, we caught up with him during the Chartered Institute of Brewing and Distilling's 2025 Asia Pacific Convention in Hobart. There, Will and Craig chatted to Tom about his fields of interest, including how terroir and the moment within harvest that hops are picked can impact the flavours and aromas brewers are able to elicit from different varieties.

Ahead of the main interview, James and Will chat about some sobering recent news, with Molly Rose appointing liquidators and Currumbin Valley closing the doors of their Gold Coast operation for good. 

We also discuss the IBA’s hopes and plans for the upcoming Federal Election, Pink Boots’ mentorship program, and reveal the latest winner of our Have You Done A Rallings? campaign celebrating good beer citizens.

Start of segments:

 * 13:30  – Tom Shellhammer Part 1
 * 38:29 – Have You Done A Rallings?
 * 41:27 – Tom Shellhammer Part 2

Relevant links:

 * Liquidators Brought In By Molly Rose [https://craftypint.com/news/3738/liquidators-brought-in-by-molly-rose-founder-hopeful-of-fresh-start]
 * Currumbin Valley Closes [https://craftypint.com/news/3742/currumbin-valley-brewing-closes-up]
 * Indie Beer’s Campaign 2025 [https://craftypint.com/news/3739/indie-beers-2025-election-campaign]
 * Pink Boots Mentorship [https://craftypint.com/news/3737/pink-boots-are-taking-on-mentors-and-mentees]
 * Meet The Hop Doctor [https://craftypint.com/news/2083/meet-the-hop-doctor]
 * Nominate a good beer citizen [https://craftypint.com/rallings]
 * Nominate a Bluestone Yeast Brewery of the Month [https://craftypint.com/bluestone]
 * The Crafty Pint's beer club: The Crafty Cabal [https://craftycabal.com/]

To find out more about supporting the show or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact craig@craftypint.com.

Hop Terroir And Timings With The Hop Professor

On March 21, 2025, The Crafty Pint team MC'd and recorded The High Country Hop Technical Symposium in Beechworth.

Over the coming months, we'll share some of the presentations and panels from the day outside of our usual podcast schedule. First up: the team from the Independent Brewers Association, whose keynote presentation contains plenty of eye-opening data on the state of the industry and a call to arms ahead of the 2025 Federal Election.

You can read more about their Campaign 2025 – and how you can get involved, whether you work in beer or just enjoy it – in the accompanying article below.

 * Indie Beer's 2025 Election Campaign [https://craftypint.com/news/3739/indie-beers-2025-election-campaign]
 * Campaign 2025 [https://independentbrewers.org.au/campaign-2025/]

The High Country Hop Technical Symposium 2025: Independent Brewers Association

“Any job where it’s reasonable for you to have a beer in your hand when you’re doing it is a pretty good deal.”

Those words could be spoken at any brewery opening; in this case, however, they come courtesy of Crafty podcast guest Matt Stewart.

Matt is a Melbourne-based comedian, podcast host, and history-travel-beer guide known as The Beer Pioneer. The last of those is a television show that first aired in 2021 and saw Matt track the path of William Buckley while visiting breweries along the way. Season Two – Up The Guts – is available now on YouTube; it follows John McDouall Stuart’s journey from the bottom to the top of Australia.

As well as hosting a show about beer, Matt has long loved trying new beers, frequently visiting new breweries and posting about them via his Paddlegram posts.

Ahead of the 2025 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, during which Matt is performing his new show Bad Boy, we chatted to him about his love for beer, career in comedy, and the common ground between the two.

Ahead of the main interview, James and Will talk about Voyager Craft Malt’s impressive showing on the world stage, and the growing number of hop waters on the local market. You’ll also discover who's been named Bluestone Yeast Brewery of the Month.

Start of segments:

 * 7:54 – Matt Stewart Part 1
 * 43:18 – Bluestone Brewery of the Month
 * 45:53 – Matt Stewart Part 2

Relevant links:

 * Crafty article on The Beer Pioneer [https://craftypint.com/news/2652/follow-the-beer-pioneer] 
 * The Beer Pioneer's YouTube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/@TheBeerPioneer/]
 * Matt’s MICF 2025 Show [https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/bad-boy/] 
 * Do Go On Podcast [https://dogoonpod.com/]
 * More Global Success For Voyager [https://craftypint.com/news/3731/golden-australian-grains-more-global-success-for-voyager]
 * I Feel It In My (Hop) Waters [https://craftypint.com/news/3698/i-feel-it-in-my-hop-waters]
 * Nominate a good beer citizen [https://craftypint.com/rallings]
 * Nominate a Bluestone Yeast Brewery of the Month [https://craftypint.com/bluestone]

To find out more about supporting the show or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact craig@craftypint.com.

Paddles, Podcasts & Performing With The Beer Pioneer

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

Shows