Radio Brews News focuses on the issues facing the Australian brewing business and discusses them with the people shaping the industry. Every Tuesday, hear an interview with a leader in the brewing industry and every Thursday, hear the Brews News team discuss the news of the week.
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This week we catch up with Matt Hogan from Hope Brewhouse in the Hunter Valley. Matt surprised the entire brewing community, and himself, when his brewery was named Champion Small Brewery at the recent Australian Craft Beer Awards . Then Pete catches up with Brendan Parnell and Scott Overdorf from Hobart Brewing Company . Hobart Brewing Company opened earlier this year and is adding to the Tasmania capital's vibrat beer culture. During the pre-ramble we mention Dr Brett Stubbs' new book Bygone B...
Hosts Matt Kirkegaard and Pete Mitcham recap the Australian Craft Brewers Conference and delve into the Thunder Road vs. Stone & Wood legal case. The main segment features an insightful interview with Willie Simpson, a "forefather" of Australian craft beer, who shares his experiences as a pioneering beer writer and a brewer at Seven Sheds. They discuss the industry's rapid growth, the changing consumer landscape, and the business realities of small breweries, concluding with a critique of misleading beer and food pairing advertisements.
This week we catch up with Ben Waymouth, head brewer at Napoleone Brewers in the Yarra Valley. We discuss Ben's approach to brewing, his experience malting his own grains and the zen approach needed for eight-hour bottling runs. In the pre-ramble we discuss the growing log jam of beer and brewery names predominantly in the US, and reference a couple of stories out of the US... As Hop Puns Run Dry, Craft Beer Trademark Litigation Heats Up Inside the food fight over catchy craft beer names Time to...
This week we catch up with Beth Brash from the Wellington Culinary Culinary Trust to find out all about Beervana 2016 . We also chat with Peter Willis from Hawthorn Brewing , which has just signed an export deal to send beer to China. Finally, in our first Ten Minutes With , one of our Patrons gets to ask his own questions of Stone & Wood's Brad Rogers. Send us your feedback , or leave a voice mail by calling (07) 3040 1508, that we'll play on our next show. Also, if you like the show and yo...
This week we catch up with Tina Panoutsos, Sensory & Consumer Preference Manager at Carlton & United Breweries. In a fascinating chat we learn about the science of taste and how we can become better tasters and Tina discusses the art of judging beer and developing your palate. In the pre-ramble, Matt talks about the new homebrew equipment from Coopers, the Brewart system, and is pretty impressed. Send us your feedback , or leave a voice mail by calling (07) 3040 1508, that we'll play on ...
This week we catch up with Australian International Beer Awards Head Judge and Head Brewer at Little Creature Geelong, Warren Pawsey. We discuss the process for judging at the AIBA, the nature of beer styles and the pressures driving their evolution, what an AIBA medal means and how some beers without the cachet that others enjoy in the market can do better in the awards. We also discuss Warren's journey as a brewer, the expansion going on at Little Creatures Geelong and also ask why they have d...
This we meet Sam Reid, one of the founders of Willie Smith's Cider from Tasmania. Sam talks about the importance of local business to regional areas, cider making and what makes quality cider and Morris dancing. More reading about cider and concentrates . In the show's pre-ramble week Pete makes a huge reveal that leaves Matt speechless but gets the corks popping and Matt takes over the editing duties in Lachie's absence. Send us your feedback , or leave a voice mail by calling (07) 3040 1508, t...
[caption id="attachment_27777" align="alignright" width="300"] Justin Joiner and Ashur Hall (Courtesy The Crafty Pint)[/caption] This week we run two interviews. Firstly we catch up with Justin Joyner and Ashur Hall from the soon-to-open Stomping Ground Brewing Co . Stomping Ground is a new project from the team behind The Local Taphouse and GABS, and we hear from Justin and Ashur the brewery's philiospohy and approach to its beers. Then we chat with Andrew Hunter the man behind Streamline Bever...
This we we play the last of our Good Beer Week Q&A sessions, this time with Feral Brewing's Brendan Varis. We lured Brendan along to talk about science in the brewhouse but used the opportunity to also gauge his thoughts on the state of the craft beer industry in 2016, the history of Feral, current brewery takeovers and we also ask Brendan who has come calling uppon Feral and how much they were offering. This episode was recorded live at the Cryer Malt Trade Lounge, at the Good Beer Week Fes...
This week we share the second discussion panel from the Q&A panels that Radio Brews News hosted during Good Beer Week. This panel looked at the thorny issue of draught beer quality...what is it, how is it managed, whose responsibility it is and how venue practice affect it. We were very lucky to have an amazing panel of experts available to discuss the topic, consisting of: Ed Bodey, Draught Beer Specialist at Stone & Wood Brad Murray, General Manager Micro-Matic Australia Darren Arrowsm...
This week we have our panel discussion recording this week at Good Beer Week looking at the issue of tap contracts. As part of the Cryer Malt Brewers Lounge at the Beer Deluxe Trade Hub in Melbourne, Radio Brews News hosted a number of discussion panels looking at hot topics in the brewing industry. This panel looked at the issue of supply agreements between brewers and venues and whether they are mutually beneficial arrangements or denying commnsumers choice. Our expert panel included: Mark Gou...
This week we catch up with Jeremy Halse, Head Brewer at Lion's White Rabbit Brewery in Geelong. We talk about Jeremy's long history in brewing, the approach of White Rabbit Brewery and discuss the new Red Ale. We discuss whether there are some styles that just don't fit with the idea of 'entry level' and whether you can make a Flanders Red Ale approachable. You can read the media release about the White Rabbit Red Ale here . In the pre-ramble, Pete and Matt discuss the World Beer Cup and just ho...
This week we catch up with Scott Vincent, Beverage Innovation Manager at CUB, and also fills the role of Head Brewer at Matilda Bay. We chat about Matilda Bay's move to Cascade, why you can't find Red Back anywhere and the brand's future, Scott hints at some new products in the spirits, and McCracken's Ale, amongst many other topics. In the pre-ramble, we Matt & Pete discuss Good Beer Week, hype and belly buttons, White Rabbit Red Ale ahead of our chat with brewer Jeremy Halse next week. Mat...
This week we catch up with Siobhan Kerin, Program Manager at Good Beer Week. Siobhan has had along journey in beer, starting as a colleague of Pete Mitcham's at a restaurant called Keg almost 20 years ago. We talk about her journey through beer, then changes in the market over the last 20 years and, of course, plenty about this year's Good Beer Week and the plans for the future. Don't forget that the Good Beer Week program is now available and tickets are on sale. Australian Brews News are proud...
This we we catch up with James Smith, better known to craft beer drinkers as the Crafty Pint. We learn about his plans for world domination, or at least the ever expanding reach of his awesome Australian craft beer resource and his lack of interest in selling out to News Corp. Don't forget that the Good Beer Week program is now available and tickets are on sale. Australian Brews News are proud media partners of the event and present the Beer Geek stream of the program. Don't forget to send us yo...
This week are joined by lawyer-turned brewer, Andrew Childs, of New Zealand's Behemoth Brewing - soon to be released as Chur Brewing in Australia for trade mark reasons. Andrew talks about his background and entry into brewing, his beers and also gives us an update on his progress since being burned in a serious brewing accident last year. During the intro we discuss the demise of Cascade's First Harvest and reference this article on its origins. We also discuss these two articles about CUB's re...
This week we play a chat Matt had with Sandy Ross from Hopco at the recent Institute of Brewing and Distilling Conferece in Sydney. Sandy grew up in and around Tasmania's hop fields but left the industry until 1999 when he joined his father John at Hopco. He is now Managing Director. We chat about the evolution of the hip business in the country and whether hops are here to stay. Don't forget that the Good Beer Week program is now available and tickets are on sale. Australian Brews News are prou...
This week Pete and Matt have a beer - actually have a beer this time - with beer writer Pete Brown. Pete was in Australia researching Australian hops for his upcoming book What Are You Drinking? and in a very wide-ranging and free-flowing conversation we chat about three current books from Pete, where he think beer is beer headed, pub culture and even cider gets a look in. Pete is one of the world's great beer communicators and this is a cracking chat. Don't forget that the Good Beer Week progra...
This week we have a very special episode recorded featuring Professor Charlie Bamforth recorded live in Sydney. As always with Charlie, it's a free-ranging, frank and informative conversation about the beauty of beer and the art and science of making it. We were honoured to have the chance to once again speak with Charlie, and have a beer with him. This episode was made possible thanks to the support of Beer Deluxe Kings Wharf which hosted the event, and 4 Pines Brewery for ensuring that all gue...
This week we catch up with the brewing team behind Watts River Brewing , Ben Hamilton and Aaron Malmborg. Aaron and Ben are currently cuckoo brewing but have plans to build a brewery in Healesville, after their former employer, White Rabbit Brewery, moved to Geelong. We learn about their homebrewing origins, what they learned in the various breweries in which they have worked and what inspires their brewing. Radio Brews News is hosted by Matt Kirkegaard and Pete Mitcham and is produced by Lachie...
This week we catch up with Ben Kraus, who with his partner Maria, owns Bridge Road Brewers. Ben recently unveiled his own authenticity campaign featuring symbols celebrating his beer as being "brewed in-house", "Independently family owned" and "authentic". We chat with Ben about the concerns driving this move and what it means for the craft industry. Don't forget, tickets are on sale for our Podcast in the Pub with Charlie Bamforth in Sydney on Sunday 13th March. If you like the podcast, join us...
This week is all about chatting with people who are getting good beer to the people in a variety of ways. First we speak with Andrew Sydes ( Catchment Brewing Company ) and Declan Law ( Hoo Ha Bar ), two members of the volunteer team of beer lovers behind Brewsvegas. Brewsvegas is Brisbane's bar-led beer festival that will take over the city's taps between March 11-20. Andrew and Declan talk about the spirit of Brewsvegas and some of the 87 events to look forward to in the third iteration of the...
This week we catch up with Dereck Hales of Bad Shepherd Brewing Co . Dereck is just one of the members of the Local Taphouse's Alestars who has gone Pro as a brewer with his partner Diti. We have a great chat with Dereck about his brewery, plans and the future of beer in Australia. You can visit the brew bar: Bad Shepherd Brewing Co. 386 Reserve Road, Cheltenham, Victoria, 3192 Hours: Wednesday/Thursday Midday - 11pm Friday/Saturday Midday - Midnight Sunday Midday - 8pm We talked about and recom...
This week we catch up with homebrewer and author Peter Symons and discuss historical Australian beers. Peter has self-published a book, Bronzed Brews: Home Brewing Old Australian Beers. The book came about as a result of research Peter did for Jamil Zainasheff on the Brewing with Style show, which spawned a four year research project into Australian brewing generally. It's is a fascinating and well-researched look into Australia's unique brewing history. You can purchase the book via Lulu . ] Do...
This week we catch up with Chris Sheehan, head brewer for Lion's Malt Shovel Brewery. We teed up the interview in the wake of the furore over the placing of a number of the James Squire beers in the GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers , including 150 Lashes at number 5. Here's your chance to hear what Chris has to say about the beers and his approach to brewing and see if it influences your view. Don't forget to send us your feedback , or leave a voice mail by calling (07) 3040 1508, that we'll ...
This week's episode is a reply of our live countdown of the GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers of 2015 , recorded on Australia Day 2016. The recording quality isn't great as we picked up some refrigeration compressor noise as we recorded at Brisbane's Green Beacon Brewery , but the conversation was excellent. Matt is joined by Australian Brews News editor James Atkinson and we cross to Pete Mitcham at The Local Taphouse, St Kilda . During the long show we speak with Michael Cameron from Pirate ...
Welcome back to Radio Brews News for 2016. We kick off the year with one of our favourite guests, Professor Charlie Bamforth, Anheuser-Busch Endowed Professor of Malting and Brewing Sciences at UC Davis . Charlie is one of the foremost experts on brewing science, and a passionate advocate for beer. All beer. Our chats are always wonderful. In this chat we discuss what 'craft' and 'traditional' means when applied to beer and if they really mean anything in the finished product. We can't recommend...
This week we catch up with Tom Delmont, the face of Fixation Brewing Co , Stone & Wood's specialty IPA brand . Tom has long been a fixture on the Melbourne beer scene, leaving a career as an etymologist to become Mountain Goat's first Road Goat. he is a passionate advocate for more hops and IPAs. Don't forget to send us your feedback , or leave a voice mail by calling (07) 3040 1508, that we'll play on our next show. Radio Brews News is hosted by Matt Kirkegaard and Pete Mitcham and is produ...
This week Matt and Pete head to Melbourne's Temple Brewing to catch up with happenings there. We sit down with new owner Nick Pang, head brewer Glenn Harrison, and national sales manager Mark Waghorne and chat about all things Temple, including how Nick came to own the brewery, how Mark came to Temple from Mountain Goat and how Glenn came to brew a cracking pilsner, amongst other things. Don't forget to send us your feedback , or leave a voice mail by calling (07) 3040 1508, that we'll play on o...
This week we catch up with Steve Jeffares of Local Taphouse , GABS and the annual Hottest 100 craft beer poll. Voting opens for the much debated, always interesting Hottest 100 craft beer countdown on December 14 and we wanted to chat with Steve about what's in store this year, both for the polling and for the countdown. Steve also surprises us with the announcement, since made public, that GABS is going to Auckland in 2016. We also take a call from Owen Johnston from Hop Products Australia to c...
