“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

In early March, The Crafty Pint headed to Hobart for the 38th Chartered Institute of Brewers and Distillers Asia Pacific Convention. The event brings together brewers, distillers and suppliers from all over the globe for several days of technical presentations and networking with the aim of improving standards and education for technical brewers and distillers.

To provide a behind-the-scenes slice of what CIBD is all about, we recorded three distinct, shorter-than-usual podcast interviews for this episode.

First up, you’ll hear Will and Craig chat to CIBD CEO Tom Shelston and president Dr Megan Sheehy PhD about the organisation's purpose, history and why there’s now a C in front of IBD.  

Next up is Carlos Ruiz, chief sales officer at HVG, a major German hop grower and supplier. Against the backdrop of the craft lager renaissance, we wanted to pick his brains about the growing interest from craft brewers in traditional German hops as well as his impressive journey in the Bavarian beer industry, one that starts in Venezuela.

Finally, we look more locally and talk to Tim Bishop, co-founder and head brewer at Easy Tiger, about his experience at CIBD and his brewery’s story. Based on Tassie’s northeast coast, the brewery is as tiny as it is unique, complete with a café, multiple restaurants and a cinema.  

Ahead of those chats, James and Will cover the industry’s recent news, including Last Man Standing's takeover of the former home of Newstead, and Nail Brewing’s impending 25th anniversary.

We’re excited to announce that Pint of Origin is return for a thirteenth time – touching down in Melbourne from May 8 to 19, and to bring back Bintani's Sam Bethune with more ways breweries can get the most out of their ingredients. 

We’re also eager to see more submissions for the Bluestone Yeast Brewery of the Month and our Have You Done A Rallings? campaign celebrating the country's good beer citizens.

Start of segments:  

 * 14:26 – Tom Shelston & Dr Megan Sheehy
 * 27:37 – Bintani Brewery Booster
 * 31:29 – Carlos Ruiz
 * 54: 55 – Tim Bishop

Relevant links: 

 * CIBD Hobart [https://ibd2025.com.au/]
 * HVG [https://www.hvg-germany.de/en/]
 * Easy Tiger [https://www.easytiger.au/]
 * Last Man Standing Take Over Newstead [https://craftypint.com/news/3725/last-man-standing-take-over-newstead-brewing-site]
 * Tough As Nail [https://craftypint.com/news/3727/tough-as-nail-25-years-and-still-standing]
 * Pint of Origin 2025 [https://pintoforigin.com/]
 * Bintani [https://www.bintani.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.

Behind The Scenes At The CIBD Convention 2025

Beer tourism was back on the cards in 2024 in a big way – locally, at least, as we noted in our Year in Beer 2024 wrap. A number of new ale trails popped up, with those in WA's South West, Newcastle and the enhanced Inner West Ale Trail joining well-established ventures in places such as the NSW South Coast and Collingwood.

Already in 2025, they’ve been joined by the Brookie Trail, which formalised the unofficial trek between the breweries of Brookvale. Not only is it the country’s newest at time of writing, it has to be the easiest to take on: many of the venues are within easy eyesight of each other.

To find out how it came about, what it’s all about, and to learn more about beer businesses can work in harmony to bring visitors through all of their doors, we paid a visit, catching up with Freshwater Brewing co-founder Jonny Bucknall and 7th Day Brewery GM Joel Ridzuan (who had to travel an arduous 60m from brewery door to brewery door).

As well as picking their brains about Brookie, beer tourism, and how they got the trail off the ground, we delve into their stories, the diversity the area’s breweries bring, the challenges of operating as a small beer business in 2025, and what the local Macca’s carpark needs to do to qualify for the trail.

Prior to the main interview, we reflect on another tough few days in the beer industry. First, Brisbane pioneers Newstead Brewing closed their doors for good suddenly after trying to navigate years of endless unforeseen challenges; days later, Konvoy Kegs was placed into receivership after their main lender cut off funding.

Rather more upbeat is the tale out of WA, where the founders of Funk Drinks Co. – best known for their ciders – have launched their first beer brewed with grains grown on their farm and malted locally too, while expressions of interest are now open for Sydney Beer Week, and you can still nominate for our second Bluestone Yeast Brewery of the Month.

Start of segments:

 * 9:17 – Jonny & Joel Part 1
 * 31:00 – Rockstar Brewery Academy
 * 37:36 –  – Jonny & Joel Part 2 

Relevant links:

 * Crafty's Year in Beer 2024 [https://craftypint.com/news/3646/year-in-beer-2024-the-national-picture]
 * Freshwater Brewing [https://freshwaterbrewing.com.au/]
 * 7th Day Brewery [https://www.7thdaybrewery.com.au/]
 * The Brookie Trail [https://thebrookietrail.com.au/]
 * Newstead Closes For Good
 * Konvoy Kegs Go Into Receivership [https://craftypint.com/news/3722/konvoy-kegs-placed-into-receivership]
 * Funk Farmers Go Paddock To Pint [https://craftypint.com/news/3720/the-funk-farmers-paddock-to-pint-ale]
 * Sydney Beer Week [https://craftypint.com/news/3721/be-part-of-sydney-beer-week-2025]
 * Nominate a Bluestone Yeast Brewery of the Month [https://craftypint.com/bluestone]
 * Rockstar Brewer Academy [https://rockstarbrewer.com/]

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

Beer Tourism On The Brookie Trail

TWØBAYS weren’t the first gluten-free brewers in Australia, but they’ve certainly done their bit when it comes to putting Australian gluten-free beer on the map, not least when their Session Ale was named best GF beer on the planet at last year’s World Beer Cup in the States.

Before achieving that prestigious high, they’d already become the first indie brewer to breach the macro-booze citadel that is the MCG – a move that has opened more doors for them – and set about changing people’s perceptions as to what beers brewed without barley and a range of other malts typically used in brewing can be.

Ahead of their 2025 Free The Taps event, at which some of the country’s best beer venues are hosting TWØBAYS tap takeovers during Coeliac Awareness Week, we joined founder Richard Jeffares and head brewer Kristian Martin at the brewery’s Dromana home.

As well as hearing about Richard’s journey from coeliac diagnosis relatively late in life to brewery owner via tours of GF breweries in the US, we discuss the ethos driving the business, the challenges of brewing with atypical ingredients, and their lofty – yet entirely reasonable – goals for the future.

Before we get to Richard and Kristian, we discuss Labor’s latest election promise to the beer world, Slipstream’s success at this year’s Royal Queensland awards – plus our “Slays Beer” feature on the young brewer behind their green Pandan-Monium beer, the recent openings of Rocky Ridge Duncraig and the new Bracket Brewing, Bright’s move into the heart of Melbourne, the closing of entries for this year’s Australian International Beer Awards and more.

We also celebrate more good beer citizens with the second winner in our "Have You Done A Rallings?" campaign: Russell Steele, from Easy Times Brewing in Brisbane.

Start of segments: 

 * 15:47 – Richard & Kristian Part 1
 * 42.48 – Have You Done A Rallings?
 * 46.14 – Richard & Kristian Part 2

Relevant links: 

 * TWØBAYS' World Beer Cup Gold [https://craftypint.com/news/3429/twobays-gluten-free-session-ale-claims-gold-in-world-beer-cup]
 * Free The Taps [https://craftypint.com/event/13615/twbays-brewing-free-the-taps-2025] 
 * Labor Boost Their Election Promise [https://craftypint.com/news/3714/labor-boost-their-election-promise-to-the-beer-industry]
 * Slipstream's Awards Success [https://craftypint.com/news/3711/slipstreams-saison-secures-top-honours-at-the-royal-queensland-beer-awards] 
 * John Nguyen Slays Beer [https://craftypint.com/news/3707/john-nguyen-slays-beer]
 * Bracket Brewing Are Back [https://craftypint.com/news/3710/bracket-brewing-are-back]
 * Rocky Ridge Duncraig Opens [https://craftypint.com/news/3709/rocky-ridge-duncraig-opens-on-friday]
 * Bright Buy PAs [https://craftypint.com/news/3712/bright-brewery-buy-carltons-prince-alfred-hotel] In Carlton
 * Have You Done A Rallings? [https://craftypint.com/rallings]
 * The High Country Hop 2025 [https://thehighcountryhop.com.au/]

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

(Gluten) Free To Do What I Want

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.