“This has been a year of holding patterns, of people trying to work out how they fit into the new reality.” 

If you’ve read The Year In Beer 2025: National Trends article, you already know many of the topics that are the starting points for discussion as we kick of our end-of-year podcast series. If not, you can check it out here [https://craftypint.com/news/3947/the-year-in-beer-2025-national-trends].  

This episode gives us an opportunity to expand on many of the trends and issues raised there, as well as a chance to look back at the news of the past week and our most read articles of the past 12 months.

When it comes to the news of the past week, the main talking point was the change in ownership of GABS and the subsequent decision to cancel all 2026 festivals [https://craftypint.com/news/3946/gabs-2026-cancelled-new-owners-planning-reimagined-event-in-2027] with the intention of returning with a refreshed concept in 2027. The other story we discuss is one that hasn’t made it to the pages of The Crafty Pint, but has taken up much of our time: the launch of the Daughter beer brand by Chuck Hahn and his family.

In terms of the articles that were read most widely in 2025, it goes without saying that the vast majority occupying the upper echelons involve sales, VAs, openings, closures and mergers, but elsewhere it’s encouraging to see what topics really engage readers: travel articles; deep dives into styles; features on fascinating folks doing cool things; awards winners and more.

The show features another Bintani [https://www.bintani.com.au/] Brewery Booster as well as James and Will’s hopes for beer in 2026, and acts as the precursor for our state by state by territories shows kicking off next Tuesday and running through until just before Christmas.

Start of segments:

 * 07:58 – National Trends
 * 34:26 – Bintani Brewery Booster
 * 38:36 – Biggest Stories Of 2025
 * 47:24 – Hopes For 2026

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

The Year In Beer 2025: National Trends

“Little Creatures is iconic, and I think we'll always have that iconic status.”

Ask people who’ve been working in, or merely enjoying the delights of, the Aussie beer world for a decade or more which beers turned them onto craft beer in the first place, and if any beer is referenced more than Little Creatures Pale Ale we’d be surprised, if not amazed.

Little wonder then that Russell Gosling, head brewer at the brewery he joined two decades ago, uses the word “iconic” in this episode – timed to coincide with the Freo-based operation’s 25th anniversary. The impact of that beer, and indeed the the Little Creatures approach to hospitality, has been game-changing – arguably only Stone & Wood’s Pacific Ale has come close since.

Russell joined us from Freo amid the “chaos” as a major overhaul of the brewery’s original site nears completion – at the same time as a Little Creatures brewpub opens in Perth’s Elizabeth Quay.

As well as discussing the challenges of stewarding Little Creatures Pale Ale [https://craftypint.com/news/1273/the-story-of-little-creatures-pale-ale] through the years, we look back to the brewery’s earlier days, its evolution – half of which has been as part of Lion, his favourite beers – including some that never took off, recent projects involving the regen agriculture space, and the excitement that came with working amid a group of pioneers aiming to change beer culture in Australia.

We also head back in time pre-Creatures to Russell’s earlier days as a brewer in the UK, where he notched up spells at marquee breweries such as Harvey’s, Fuller’s, and his hometown heroes Everards.

With Will on holiday, James was joined by Guy Southern, one of our WA contributors and a man with his fingers in pretty much every beer-flavoured pie in the state. He provides some local context on the way Little Creatures has influenced so much and so many, as well as chatting about this week's other stories on the main Crafty site: a look at the growing importance of events [https://craftypint.com/news/3938/roll-up-roll-up-how-events-are-keeping-taprooms-pumping] to beer venues; the opening of 27 South's taproom [https://craftypint.com/news/3943/27-south-brewings-brisbane-taproom-opening-this-week] in Brisbane; and soon-to-open Melbourne bar Donny's [https://craftypint.com/news/3936/the-beer-slingers-donnys].

If you enjoy the show, please like, subscribe, rate and review.

Start of segments:
 * 15:25 – Russell Gosling Part 1
 * 35:51 – Russell Gosling Part 2

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

From Little Things, Big Creatures Grow – Little Creatures at 25

“You don’t have to reinvent the wheel to make good beers. That’s not to say we don’t try.”

There’s little like Moo Brew in the Australian beer landscape, however you look at it.

The brewery blazed a trail for craft beer in Tasmania and remains something of a figurehead for the state’s beer scene as one of the few breweries with a presence on the mainland. The unique bottles and John Kelly artwork on their labels marked them out as something different from the off – and that was before founder David Walsh carved the world-famous Mona into the rock underneath the original brewery.

You could argue their refusal to bend from a dedication to finely-honed, classically-minded styles while the rest of the beer world was losing its mind also marks Moo out as different. Meanwhile, making it to this month’s 20th anniversary with just three head brewers – all of whom still meet up in Hobart – is pretty extraordinary too.

Ahead of their birthday celebrations, we were joined by the latest of those three, Jack Viney, to look back on two decades of Moo Brew. The chat covers the brewery’s ethos and evolution, distinct brand and place within the Walsh empire, Moo's pioneering role within Tasmania, the arrival of Manky Sally’s brewpub in Salamanca, Jack’s career in beer, and the state of affairs for beer today.

There’s plenty to cover before we get to Jack too: Grifter becoming the latest local brewery to secure B Corp status [https://craftypint.com/news/3931/the-grifter-brewing-co-become-australias-latest-b-corp-brewery]; little Central Coast bottlo Oldfield Cellars beating all-comers [https://craftypint.com/news/3933/golden-oldfield-cellars] to an ALIA trophy; a collab ten years in the making [https://craftypint.com/news/3921/naked-ned-a-collab-a-decade-in-the-making]; and a look at the ins, outs, magic and mishaps of beer advent calendars [https://craftypint.com/news/3934/christmas-advent-ures-inside-the-festive-beer-box-boom].

We also unveil the latest winner in the Bluestone Yeast Brewery of the Month – nominate yours here [https://craftypint.com/bluestone] – and hear about the opening of submissions [https://craftypint.com/event/13908/entries-open-for-the-2026-royal-queensland-beer-awards] for the 2026 Royal Queensland Beer Awards.

Start of segments: 

 * 13:45 – Jack Viney Part 1
 * 37:11 – Bluestone Yeast Brewery of the Month
 * 40:24 – Jack Viney Part 2

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

Two Decades Of Moo Brew

"We just like making full-flavoured, unapologetic, big beers.”

There’s nothing in the Australian beer world quite like Seeker Brewing [https://craftypint.com/brewery/715/seeker-brewing]. The Wollongong operation was founded by identical twins Jeff and Curtis Argent, our guests on this week’s show, alongside mate Ben Boorer [https://craftypint.com/news/3252/chronically-crafty-managing-health-in-the-beer-industry]. Prior to running a brewery together, the brothers were in a band together, only denied their dreams of touring overseas by the pandemic.

While their no-holding-back approach to brewing – whether that’s adding more hops to a beer or ramping up the ABV – isn’t unique, they’ve found new ways to approach it, not least in their Art of Flight series [https://craftypint.com/news/3522/seeker-take-flight-with-tiny-tins] featuring big beers in small cans.

To find out more about one of the most joyous success stories of recent years, the twins joined us from their brewery to reflect on working (and sometimes living) together in Pirra and Seeker, the pleasure they take in watching a brewery full of people enjoying live music – from flamenco and salsa to rock and reggae, the plans they’re currently hatching, and why they love working with others.

There’s plenty to discuss ahead of the main interview too: our Secret Sales Rep article on the death of relationships [https://craftypint.com/news/3925/the-secret-sales-rep-the-death-of-relationships], Venom’s takeover [https://craftypint.com/news/3924/venom-to-open-taproom-at-former-mrs-parmas-in-melbourne] of the former Mrs Parma’s site in Melbourne’s CBD, Bad Shepherd’s Ten Lessons From Ten Years [https://craftypint.com/news/3927/bad-shepherd-ten-lessons-from-ten-years], an inspiring collaboration [https://craftypint.com/news/3928/pillars-of-society-froths-all-australian-fundraiser-for-veterans] between veterans in WA, and our upcoming festive feast, Crafty Cheer! [https://craftypint.com/event/13873/crafty-cheer-a-festive-feast]

We’re always keen for feedback on the show, which you can provide here [https://craftypint.com/form_builder/view/a684eceee76fc522773286a895bc8436/the-crafty-pint-podcast-survey-2025-part-1], as well as nominations in our Have You Done A Rallings? [https://craftypint.com/rallings] and Bluestone Yeast Brewery of the Month campaigns. Don't forget, if you enjoy this episode, please like, subscribe, rate and review on whichever podcast platform you use.

Start of segments:
 * 15:14 – Jeff & Curtis Part 1
 * 44:22 – Have You Done A Rallings? Winner
 * 47:37 – Jeff & Curtis Part 2

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

All Indie, Always Innovating – Seeker Brewing

“Our isolation leads to innovation.”

In the last of the episodes recorded at the inaugural Grainstock [https://craftypint.com/news/3902/episode-067-grainstock-2025] in the Riverina in October, we take a sidestep into the world of spirits, welcoming one of Australian whisky’s true characters onto the show.

Tim Duckett, who grew up on a farm in Tasmania’s North West, bought his first barrels of whisky back in 1999, so has been both participant in and observer of the rise of the local industry.

The whiskies he releases under the Heartwood [https://www.heartwoodmaltwhisky.com.au/] banner are sought-after the world over, often selling out batches in advance, admired for their consistency of quality, renowned for the might of their impact, and noted for the humour found in their names and labels. Since 2015, he’s also released lower-ABV, typically more approachable whiskies under the Tasmanian Independent Bottlers banner.

An outspoken commentator on the industry, one unafraid to ruffle feathers, he joined us to reflect on his own life in whisky since meeting Lyn and Bill Lark in its fledgling days, how Australian whisky is regarded globally, the current issues that have brought some businesses down – not unlike in the beer world, the need for federal support, and the difficulty in defining an Australian characteristic beyond “We give it a crack” in a vast country where distillers operate in such varied climes.

James is joined by a guest co-host this week too. Luke McCarthy [https://ozwhiskyreview.com.au/] is one of the country’s most respect drinks writers, recently penned a piece [https://craftypint.com/news/3871/australian-whiskys-growing-pains-and-the-long-road-to-maturity] for us on the trials and tribulations of the Australian whisky industry, and provides background and context ahead of the main interview.

Start of segments:

 * 10:32 – Tim Duckett Part 1
 * 37:06 – Tim Duckett Part 2

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

Beyond The Barrel: Heartwood’s Tim Duckett On Australian Whisky

Jayne Lewis needs little, if any, introduction to anyone that reads or listens to The Crafty Pint. Following stints at many of the country’s brewing trailblazers, she blazed a trail of her own, creating Two Birds Brewing with mate Dani Allen, together going on to conquer the country’s beer awards while inspiring many other women to follow in their footsteps.  

Two years on from leaving Two Birds, she’s been carving out a new path [https://craftypint.com/news/3166/a-full-colour-life-from-brewer-to-leader], one focused very much on the human side of the food and drinks industry. Today, she operates Full Colour Life [https://fullcolourlife.com.au/], working with small business owners as well as individuals on everything from business strategy to setting and achieving personal goals.  

The wealth of knowledge she brings to the role comes not just from her time as a brewer and business owner, but also from personal experience: succumbing to burnout and a sense of losing agency, before embarking on a mission to rebuild herself and help others do the same.  

Given the well-documented issues around burnout, stress and churn in the industry, Jayne is playing – once again – a vitally important role, which she discusses in this episode, along with her experiences as a woman in a male-dominated industry, the remarkable success of the Australian chapter of Pink Boots Society [https://www.pinkbootssociety.com.au/], the importance of allyship, and bobbing like a cork in the ocean – even in the middle of a Melbourne winter.  

Last week’s tech gremlins overcome, the show opens with Will and James discussing the ACCC’s decision [https://craftypint.com/news/3913/accc-oppose-microstars-proposed-acquisition-of-konvoy-kegstar-respond-with-concerns] to oppose MicroStar’s proposed acquisition of Konvoy, ten years [https://craftypint.com/news/3915/ten-lessons-from-ten-years-pikes-beer-co] (or is it 140?) of Pikes Beer Co in the Clare Valley, the growing number of breweries using silos [https://craftypint.com/news/3917/going-green-brewery-silos-grain-expectations], and a new video launched by NSW indie suppliers [https://craftypint.com/news/3918/telling-the-story-of-local-indie-suppliers] Mogwai Labs, Ryefield Hops and Voyager Craft Malt. Mid-show we also reveal the latest Bluestone Yeast Brewery of the Month [https://craftypint.com/bluestone].  

If you enjoy the show, please rate and review – and tell your mates!  

Start of segments:

 * 13:55 – Jayne Lewis – Part 1 
 * 35:57 – Bluestone Yeast Brewery Of The Month 
 * 39:34 – Jayne Lewis – Part 2    

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

Finding Balance In The Beer World

“It's a big picture approach. I love it because our kids are going to have a future.”

The phrase “more than the sum of its parts” shouldn’t really apply when the parts in question are as significant in their own manner as Wildflower Beer [https://craftypint.com/brewery/359/wildflower], Organically Greenwood [https://craftypint.com/news/3014/revolution-in-the-riverina] and Voyager Craft Malt [https://craftypint.com/news/3843/episode-057-voyagers-vision]. Yet there can be no denying that these pioneering operations are stronger together – their impact magnified by their ongoing collaboration.

Since first discovering each other, the trio – respectively a brewer favouring native, wild and organic ingredients, a farmer exploring innovative regeneration techniques, and a maltster of world-beating ingenuity – have encouraged each other to push their ideas further, to chase their wildest dreams, and to inspire others along the way.

We sat down with two of them – Wildflower’s Topher Boehm and Organically Greenwood’s Chris Greenwood – at an event conceived by the third, the Stu Whytcross-curated Grainstock [https://craftypint.com/news/3902/episode-067-grainstock-2025]. They told us about their first encounters, the friendship forged between their families, the exploration and experimentation they’ve enjoyed together, and their hopes for the future of grain, regen farming, sustainable brewing practices and the planet itself.

They’re fascinating and eloquent guests who take us from brewing with saltbush in Belgium to old man Ivan and his crop-enhancing “voodoo juice” with plenty of insight and laughter along the way.

Due to some unexpected and insurmountable gremlins in the system, which we only discovered three hours before this episode was due to be published, there's no full intro this week. Will and James had discussed the week's news –  two more [https://craftypint.com/news/3908/misfit-taproom-closes-just-weeks-after-taking-over-wayward-brewings-former-home] venue closures [https://craftypint.com/news/3907/lion-to-close-stone-and-woods-brisbane-brewpub] in the local beer world, a fledgling brewpub [https://craftypint.com/news/3906/who-brews-tocumwals-beers] changing tastes on the Murray, and the new “Northern IPA” [https://craftypint.com/news/3909/true-north-fermenting-a-new-style-of-ipa] style – but instead you just get a brief word from James before the main course.

We’re always keen for feedback on the show, which you can provide here [https://craftypint.com/form_builder/view/a684eceee76fc522773286a895bc8436/the-crafty-pint-podcast-survey-2025-part-1] (just don't mention this week's intro), as well as nominations for good beer citizens in our Have You Done A Rallings? [https://craftypint.com/rallings] campaign and wonderful breweries you'd like to see named Bluestone Yeast Brewery of the Month [https://craftypint.com/bluestone]. As ever, if you enjoy this episode, please like, subscribe, rate and review.

Start of segments:
 * 3:05 – Topher & Chris Part 1
 * 33:17 – Topher & Chris Part 2

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

Going With The Grain

"We're all massive grain users – bakers, brewers, distillers – so it's so good to get to connect with them."

Grainstock [https://www.grainstock.com.au/] was a first-of-its-kind industry gathering and beer festival celebrating grain, agriculture, brewing, distilling and baking under the one banner.

Held at Voyager Craft Malt’s home at the Whitton Malt House over three days, it brought diverse yet linked industries together for farm tours, networking, and a symposium exploring the opportunities, challenges and future for farmers and businesses that rely on grain.

During the conference, Will and Craig sat down with three guests to chat about their respective backgrounds, what brought them to Whitton, and their experience at the conference. 

First up, we have Caolan Vaughan, head brewer at Stone & Wood, who has been overseeing the introduction of regen and organic ingredients at the brewery. He’s followed by Phil Stevens, who used to lead brewing at The Welder's Dog and is now focused on native grains, before we’re joined by distiller and CIBD board member Lisa Macrae.

Ahead of those interviews, James and Will discuss Lachy Crothers’ new fresh AF beer project [https://craftypint.com/news/3898/lachy-crothers-faffs-about-with-fresh-beer], the return of Ballarat Bitter [https://craftypint.com/news/3900/ballarat-bitter-and-bertie-back-in-family-hands] to its founding family's hands, and Rehn Bier’s move into the Old Mill Brewery [https://craftypint.com/news/3901/rehn-bier-and-friends-brew-a-bigger-barossa-beer-hub] with some Barossa mates. We also unveil the latest Have You Done A Rallings? [https://craftypint.com/rallings] winner.

Start of segments:

 * 17:42 – Caolan Vaughan
 * 27:59 – Phil Stevens
 * 39:19 – Have You Done A Rallings?
 * 43:07 – Lisa Macrae

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

Grainstock 2025

“The ethos was trying to provide that cultural shift and be a catalyst for that.”

What’s it like brewing beer in paradise? Or, more precisely, in Exmouth: gateway to the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area that’s home to awe-inspiring, barely-populated beaches and an abundance of glorious wildlife that can make it feel like you’re living in a David Attenborough documentary.

We sat down with Pete Firth and Justin Fuery, respectively co-founders of Froth Craft Brewery [https://frothcraft.com/] and Whalebone Brewing [https://www.whalebonebrewing.com.au/], to discover the answer to that question (unbearably hot in summer, for one) and more.

They opened their breweries in the same year, 2017, in what was then a far sleepier town than it is today, and have helped change the culture to the degree that Exmouth – despite a permanent population of just 3,000 – hosts more live music than any WA city or town north of Perth.

As well as delving into their backstories, the ethos driving each brewery, and the different paths they’ve taken – Froth now operate multiple venues; Whalebone sell cans across the state and have launched Ningaloo Distillery – we explore the challenges facing such businesses in far-flung regional locations, how they built, maintain and continue to expand their audience, the huge boost COVID brought to the region, and the rise of beer tourism.

Ahead of the main chat, Will and James look forward to this week’s Grainstock [https://www.grainstock.com.au/] in the Riverina and discuss a trio of new articles: the sixth instalment of our Beer By Design series [https://craftypint.com/news/3895/beer-by-design-marketing]; the impending launch of Ripple Brewing; and the first beer in Australia brewed with a new yeast strain [https://craftypint.com/news/3896/straining-at-the-bit-coconspirators-aussie-first-yeast-experiment]. Mid-show, you'll hear from Mogwai Labs [https://craftypint.com/business/1398/mogwai-labs] and Kicks Brewing on brewing festbiers too.

We’re always keen for feedback on the show, which you can provide here [https://craftypint.com/form_builder/view/a684eceee76fc522773286a895bc8436/the-crafty-pint-podcast-survey-2025-part-1], as well as nominations for the Bluestone Yeast Brewery of the Month [https://craftypint.com/bluestone] and Have You Done A Rallings? [https://craftypint.com/rallings] celebration of the country’s good beer citizens.

Start of segments:

 *  11:20 – Pete & Justin Part 1
 * 28:07 – Mogwai & Kicks Brewing
 * 34:47 – Pete & 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.

Brewing In Paradise

"Our goal was always to showcase every beer at every brewery as if it was our own."

Joslyn Erickson works in a unique but essential part of the beer industry. She runs Hop On Brewery Tours [https://hoponbrewerytours.com.au/] alongside partner Matt Farrelly, which the pair launched nearly a decade ago in Queensland. Back then, Brisbane had only six craft breweries and the Gold Coast was home to just a handful of breweries and venues where you could find anything other than mainstream beer.

It means Joslyn has enjoyed a front row seat to take in craft beer’s growth in South East Queensland, observing how the culture and attitudes have changed, whether for better or worse. At the same time, she's performed a crucial role stewarding [https://craftypint.com/news/2993/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-beer-steward] at some of the country's major beer awards.

Will Ziebell and Craig Williams caught up with Joslyn to talk about the importance of embracing beer tourism, ways she believes breweries can find new customers, and her passion for beer education, which has seen her launch The Lauter Tun [https://www.instagram.com/thelautertun.pod/] on Instagram.

Ahead of the chat, James and Will discuss a new series [https://craftypint.com/news/3770/the-mash-tun-and-the-melting-pot-belgian-australian-beer] from Rob Horner on the impact of global beer cultures on Australian brewers, Mick Wüst's second deep dive into life at Fermentis [https://craftypint.com/news/3888/big-yeast-big-changes], the lessons learned by Your Mates [https://craftypint.com/news/3891/ten-lessons-from-ten-years-your-mates-brewing] over their first decade, a joyous collab event featuring Deaf artist Gonketa [https://craftypint.com/news/3696/crafty-signs-auslan-beers-magnificent-mission], and the benefits of joining our Crafty Cabal beer club [https://craftycabal.com/].

If you enjoy the show, please consider liking, subscribing, rating or reviewing!

Start of segments:

 * 13:30 – Joslyn Erickson Part 1
 * 41:13 – Grainstock 2025 [https://www.grainstock.com.au/] Preview
 * 45:48 – Joslyn Erickson Part 2

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

At Craft Beer's Coalface

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.