"In this game, you have to all believe in what you're trying to achieve.”

While no strangers to awards success, it’s fair to say the team at Philter enjoyed a night to remember at the 2025 Australian International Beer Awards, taking home four major trophies.

After a brief yet raucous chat with them on the night, we reconvened two weeks later for a more relaxed and wide-ranging catch-up with co-founders Mick Neil and Stef Constantoulas – mates who met when they moved in to the same Marrickville street a few years before launching their brewing company.

As well as reflecting on the impact of their recent success, they take us back to their pre-Philter days in the worlds of surfing gear and big beer, their first meetings with Sam Füss – the brewer behind many of their killer recipes we spoke to at her new home in Bali last year, the values driving the brand, the ongoing evolution of their multi-faceted venue, and their plans for the future.

The conversation touches upon many wider issues facing the beer and hospitality worlds too, from price pressures and market access to the need to keep fighting to bring consumers into the world of local, indie beer.

This week’s show features the debut of another mini-series supported by Mogwai Labs. Breaking Down Beer Styles kicks off with a look at dry Irish stouts for which Mogwai founder Josh Allen joined by Jared Palu and Lincoln Gibbs from Felons.

In the intro, Will and James reflect on Gage Roads turning 20 this week, as well as on the closure after 17 years of Seven Sheds in Tasmania. Look out for an upcoming episode featuring that brewery’s founders: beer writer Willie Simpson and partner Catherine Stark.

In the week they celebrate the launch of their brewery, Will also puts Barbarian Brewing Co in Melbourne’s west forward as a potential Bluestone Yeast Brewery of the Month; read about them via the link below.

Start of segments:

 * 13:47 – Philter Part 1
 * 40:00 – Breaking Down Beer Styles with Mogwai Labs
 * 51:12 – Philter Part 2

Relevant links:

 * Australian International Beer Awards 2025 [https://craftypint.com/news/3773/tiny-wa-brewery-wedgetail-win-champion-australian-beer-at-2025-aibas]
 * Philter Brewing [https://www.philterbrewing.com/]
 * Building A Brewery In Bali [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MR6XIOoZKMo] ft Sam Füss
 * Gage Roads at 20 [https://craftypint.com/news/3787/from-cray-diving-before-mash-in-to-australias-fourth-largest-brewery]
 * Mogwai Labs [https://craftypint.com/business/1398/mogwai-labs]
 * Barbarian Brewing Co [https://craftypint.com/brewery/885/barbarian-brewing-co]
 * Nominate a Brewery of the Month [https://craftypint.com/bluestone]
 * Nominate a Good Beer Citizen [https://craftypint.com/rallings] 
 * Midlands Insurance [https://craftypint.com/business/1310/midland-insurance-brokers]

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

Philter's Award-Winning Potion

“The purpose of Topaz was really a bittering hop. And then as that craft flavour grew and hit mainstream, it really evolved from simply being a start-of-boil, hot-side hop to something that was used at end of boil to something that's now used in the dry hop as well.”

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

Over the course of the series, we're 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 the fourth episode in the series, we chatted to Jesse James Searls, from Young Henrys, and Michael Capaldo from HPA, about Topaz. The pair discuss the variety's evolution from being predominantly a bittering hop when it was first commercialised in 1997 to one used for dry-hopping, its tropical character, biotransformation and more.

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

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

Aussie Hops Series: Topaz - Presented By HPA

"I’m the one who can have a beer and advertise my endowment. The Edward Teller professor of nuclear physics is not walking around with uranium. And you can join the pet food industry, but on a Friday night you can’t have a few cans of Chum."

Charlie Bamforth is a name and voice familiar to many in the beer world. He’s one of beer’s great storytellers and has worked in the industry since 1978, the year he started at the Brewing Research Foundation before moving to Bass in the UK. 

He later spent decades as a professor of brewing at UC Davis in the States, teaching countless students the science of beer. Today, he’s Senior Quality Advisor at the legendary Sierra Nevada after an attempt at retirement was foiled by an offer from his old mate Ken Grossman.

Will and Craig caught up with Charlie while in Hobart for the CIBD conference earlier in the year for a chat about his life in beer, his experience teaching and working at Sierra Nevada, and his passion for the liquid he’s spent his life around.

Prior to the interview, James and Will discuss the week’s news, including Mountain Culture’s purchase of Fox Friday, our story on KAIJU!’s blossoming love for lager, and our features on two of beer’s rising stars: Julia Santos Muriel and Anaya Summer.

Don’t forget to like and subscribe to the show, and listen out to discover the identity of our latest Bluestone Yeast Brewery of the Month.

Start of segments:

 * 13:55 – Charlie Bamforth Part 1
 * 32:04 – Bluestone Yeast Brewery of the Month
 * 37:50 – Charlie Bamforth Part 2

Relevant links:

 * The Pope of Foam [https://sierranevada.com/blog/a-brewers-alphabet/meet-charlie-bamforth-the-pope-of-foam]
 * Mountain Culture Acquire Fox Friday [https://craftypint.com/news/3779/mountain-culture-acquire-fox-friday-from-administrators]
 * The Metamorphosis of KAIJU! [https://craftypint.com/news/3784/from-hop-monsters-to-lager-lovers-the-metamorphosis-of-kaiju]
 * Brew & A: Julia Santos Muriel [https://craftypint.com/news/3782/brew-and-a-julia-santos-muriel]
 * Anaya Summer Slays Beer [https://craftypint.com/news/3775/anaya-summer-slays-beer]
 * Nominate a Brewery of the Month [https://craftypint.com/bluestone]
 * Cryer Malt [https://cryermalt.com/]

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

Charlie Bamforth: A Life In Beer

“Incredible. Sticky, glistening, super-intense resin and fruit goodness…”

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

Over the course of the series, we're 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.

For the third episode, we chatted to Jeremy Moynier, from iconic Californian brewery Stone, and Chris Swersey from HPA, about Ella, including Jeremy's first encounter with the hop at HPA's farm back in 2015.

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

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

Aussie Hops Series: Ella - Presented By HPA

"I got the feedback and it was brutal. But I didn’t get upset; I just took it on the chin."

Who better to feature on the podcast the week after the country's biggest beer awards than the man whose beers have won more trophies in recent years than any other?

Moffat Beach Brewing Co might have had to make do with a clutch of gold, silver and bronze medals at this year's Australian International Beer Awards but the small Sunshine Coast brewery's name has become as synonymous with trophy glory as any.

To find out how the operation that was born in a beachside café reached this point, we sat down with co-founder Matt Wilson at their Caloundra Production House to trace the story from his days growing up playing rugby in regional Australia via the armed forces to becoming a trader in Sydney. That's where he met wife Shaz, the driving force behind the decision to buy said café pretty much sight unseen, from where they'd embark on a whole new odyssey.

Matt takes us back to his earliest brews, the "brutal" feedback from awards judges that set him on the right track, subsequent glories, expansion, and the roller-coaster ride of life as a brewery owner in a region where they were the second to open and in which you now find more than 20.

Prior to the main interview, Craig and James reflect on what appears to have been the most successful Pint of Origin to date, last week’s awards, and the Aussie Hop Series we launched with HPA earlier this month.

There’s a reminder to celebrate the country’s brewers and good beer citizens in our Have You Done A Rallings? and Bluestone Yeast Brewery of the Month campaigns. And, if you took part in Pint of Origin, to share your feedback so we can aim to make it even better in the future. We did, however, record it too early to include the news that Mountain Culture have bought Fox Friday and associated assets.

Start of segments:

 * 17:36 – Matt Wilson Part 1
 * 44:33 – Matt Wilson Part 2

Relevant links:

 * Moffat Beach Brewing Co [https://www.moffatbeachbrewingco.beer/]
 * The Story Of Moff's Summer Ale [https://craftypint.com/news/3011/the-story-of-moffs-summer-ale]
 * Pint of Origin Consumer Survey [https://craftypint.com/news/3778/pint-of-origin-2025-post-festival-survey]
 * Aussie Hop Series [https://craftypint.com/beer-knowledge/making-beer/aussie+hop+series]
 * Nominate a Good Beer Citizen [https://craftypint.com/rallings]
 * Nominate a Brewery of the Month [https://craftypint.com/bluestone]
 * Mountain Culture Acquire Fox Friday [https://craftypint.com/news/3779/mountain-culture-acquire-fox-friday-from-administrators]
 * Roxset Australia [https://roxset.com.au/]

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

The Making Of A Serial Trophy Winner

"It's like the most amazing team player of all time."

In partnership with HPA, Australia's leading hop grower, we've created 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 episode, we spoke to George MacGregor, head brewer at Aether Brewing in Brisbane, and Simeon Bonetti from HPA, about Enigma: its backstory, character, how best to use it, and more. 

Enjoy the chat!

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

Aussie Hops Series: Enigma

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 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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