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.
Last refreshed: ⓘ
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more
This week is our first edition of splitting the podcast into two audio files for interviews and news. Part A yields our regular Radio Brews News news conversation between Matt Kirkegaard, Pete Mitcham and Australian Brews News Editor James Atkinson. Part B, entitled Beer Is A Conversation, showcases our chats with Andrew Ong of 2 Brothers Brewing Co, and Brendan Varis of Feral Brewing Co. Andrew Ong: Andrew founded the 2 Brothers Brewery in Morrabin (VIC) with his brother Dave after they were ab...
This week we chat with Firestone Walker’s Export Director, Adrian Walker. The Firestone Walker brewery is nestled the central valley of California and was established 21 years ago by Adrian’s brother, David Walker, and his business partner Adam Firestone. Adrian Walker Adrian initially moved to California from the UK to sell beer from the newly established Firestone Walker brewing company. Although this role wasn’t an entirely successful fit for Adrian, he later rejoined the company as head of i...
This week we reflect on our time at Good Beer Week and share our panel discussion from the Cryer Malt Trade Hub, where we discussed the future of craft beer with some industry heavyweights. Our panel includes Sierra Nevada founder, Ken Grossman, Craft Beer Industry Association chair Peta Fielding, Epic Beer founder Luke Nicholas and The Crafty Pint, James Smith. Special thanks to Phoenix Beers for making Ken Grossman available for the panel and providing Sierra Nevada Pale Ale for the audience, ...
This week we caught up with Fuller’s Head Brewer and Director, John Keeling. John reflects on his time at Fuller’s and how he’s helped shaped the historical brewery to maintain its stark reputation and keep their beers relevant in the modern era of craft and specialty brewing. John also talks about his special release beers and upcoming projects with Sierra Nevada. John Keeling: John has been working with Fuller’s in Chiswick, England for 36 years, taking over the brewing director role in 1999. ...
This week we caught up with Holgate Brewhouse’s CEO and founder, Paul Holgate. Paul and his wife, Natasha, have recently been asked by the University of Melbourne to assist with a course on the ins and outs of craft beer. Paul also discusses the history of Holgate, giving insight into all the hard work needed for organic growth and what got their brewery to expansion point. Paul Holgate: Since 1999, the Paul and Natasha Holgate inspired family brewing company has been producing authentic craft b...
This week we caught up with Burleigh Brewing Co.’s CEO, co-founder and Director, Peta Fielding. Burleigh Brewing Co. celebrated its 10th birthday last year and has recently undergone yet another expansion to meet with growing demand for their brews! Pete Fielding: Peta started her career as a corporate lawyer before moving to Hawaii to study a MBA. While in Hawaii, Peta met professional brewer and future husband, Brennan. Peta and Brennan later returned to Queensland to start their own brewery, ...
In Episode 121 Brews News editor James Atkinson caught up with Ray Daniels founder of the Cicerone Program. In the discussion afterwards Matt and Pete had a very brief chat about the program that received some feedback questioning whether we thought Cicerone training was a good thing. In this bonus edition we catch up with James, kind of clarify the comments and discuss James' experience in the Cicerone program and his recent visit to the US.
This week we caught up with the Brewers Association’s Chief Economist, Bart Watson, to discuss the state of the craft beer industry in the United States and what we can expect from the economy looking forward. Is there a beer market “bubble”...? Bart shares with us some interesting statistics! Bart Watson: Bart is in charge of the Brewers Association’s statistical resources, including production surveys, economic analysis, and market research. In addition to providing industry data for members, ...
his week Australian Brews News Editor James Atkinson reports from the Craft Brewers Conference in the United States. James caught up with beer heavyweights Randy Mosher and Ray Daniels. Both Mosher and Daniels reflect on the state of beer and the industry, and weigh in on what we might expect in the near future from the craft beer industry. Randy Mosher Randy Mosher: A master of brewing science, Randy Mosher applies his restless curiosity and creative energy toward the art of brewing. As a veter...
This week we speak with brewer Simon Pesch from Hong Kong Craft Beer Co. We speak with Simon because we received a media release about a new beer that Cathay Pacific has launched , "a scientifically crafted beer to be enjoyed at 35,000ft". We wanted to investigate the science behind the beer, but it was also a great chance to find out a little more about the craft beer scene in Hong Kong. Before relocating to Hong Kong, Simon was brewmaster for Pyramid Breweries in Berkeley, California, where he...
This episode features an interview with Michael Cameron of Pirate Life Brewing, who reflects on the brewery's rapid two-year growth, driven primarily by an 80% packaged sales model and a strong focus on regional markets. Cameron addresses market competition, tap contracts, and the critical need for consistent quality and tireless effort in the Australian craft beer scene. The hosts also discuss brewing skill shortages, the "beer bubble" phenomenon, and new brands like Hawke's Beer.
This week we caught up with the founder of Cryermalt, David Cryer, as he celebrates 25 years of malt trading. As our first time chatting with David on Radio Brews News, he shares with us his history and experiences, and reflects on his 25 years with Cryer Malt while giving us an exciting look forward with things to come. David Cryer formed Cryermalt in the very early days of the craft beer scene in New Zealand, when microbreweries such as Emerson’s and Harringtons were just starting out. Recogni...
In Episode 117 we talk with Select Botanicals Group CEO and fourth generation hop farmer and breeder, Jason Perrault. Based in the Yakima Valley in Washington, USA, Jason is paying a visit the lands down under for the annual hop harvest.
In our soft return for 2017, Radio Brews News plays an interview with Chuck Hahn recorded earlier this year, before today's announcement that Lion will be withdrawing from the Craft Beer Industry Association. Though it was recorded before the announcement, Chuck speak about his feelings about the move to oust the large brewers from the Association as well as a range of other topics, including the then independent Matilda Bay's attempts to buy Hahn Brewing in the late 1980s.
This week we have a beer with ad man Michael Bannenberg. Banners, as he is better known, joined the then George Patterson advertising agency in 1980 and worked on many of the classic beer advertisements of the last three decades. He is also an active member of the Victorian Beer Label Collectors Society, collector of brewery artwork and imagery and amateur brewery historian with a wealth of knowledge about the history of Australian breweries. Banners is also co-author of the excellent book, The ...
This week we catch up with one of the founders of Stone & Wood, Jamie Cook. In a very wide-ranging conversation, we hear about Stone & Wood's year of growth, how they are managing the brewery's growth both from a production and organisational culture perspective, their successes during 2016, decision to appeal the court loss against Thunder Road. We also have a fascinating chat about the state of the market including some keen insights into where the beer market is, where it is heading a...
This week we catch up with beer writer, blogger and podcaster Luke Robertson. Luke, 2015 Australian Beer Writer of the Year, recently posted his predictions for the Australian beer industry in 2017. Luke unpacks these prognistications, while we also discuss lagers, beards, hipsters and Billy Joel. You can, and should, follow Luke's writing here and hear him here....
This week we catch up with Burleigh Brewing CEO, Peta Fielding, though in her role as chair of the Craft Beer Industry Association. The Craft Beer Industry Association (CBIA) has started collecting data for the 2016 Craft Beer Industry Survey and we talk with Peta about the importance of the survey, the way the data will be used and discuss the reasons a a relatively poor response rate in previous surveys and the problems that causes the entire industry.
This week we chat with Ben Nichols, one of the co-founders of leading Brisbane beer bar The Scratch . Prior to opening The Scratch, none of the founders had significant hospitality experience and yet have created a succcesssful and popular beer bar. We discuss with Ben his approach to the bar, the many mistakes he says he has made along the way and what he has learned. We also hear of his plans for a new bar, Netherworld , opening in January 2017 and how he will adapt it based on what he learned...
This week we catch up witn two guests, Ben Kraus from Bridge Road Brewers and also Chris Thomas from Club Brewing Co. Ben is well known to beer lovers and Radio Brews News listeners, but this week we chat with him about his new Mayday Hills range of 100 per cent Brettanomyces-fermented beers produced using his new foeder. We also speak with Chris Thomas about Club Brewing Co about the new business that sees Gypsy Brewing, Beer of the Month clubs and collaboration brewing combine. The company has...
This week we chat with Steve 'Hendo' Henderson, the brewer and personality behind 2016 Australian Champion Gypsy Brewer, BrewCult. We discuss BrewCult's soon-to-open bar, the importance of a consumer face for a brand, gypsy brewing and making vinegar.
This week we get our yeast on with Dr Jim Withee, Founder, CEO and Chief Scientist for GigaYeast. GigaYeast was founded in 2011 to isolate, culture and supply yeast to professional and home brewers. We chat with Jim about all things yeast, including what we can expect in terms of innovation in the yeast sector.
This week we catch up with beer tourism dynamo Dave Phillips, best known as founder of Dave's Brewery Tours . We chat about getting into the beer industry and the future of beer tourism.
This week we catch up with Jon Seltin, head brewer at Melbourne's Hawkers Beer. We chat about all things Hawkers, including their recent win at the World Beer Challenge and what international awards mean here.
This week we catch up with Dr Simon Whittock, hop breeder at Hop Products Australia. Simon presented his research into the chemistry of hops and beer flavor at the recent Craft Beer Industry Association and we speak to Simon to learn a title more about his research into hops and HPA's continuing quest to understand hops and the flower they impart into beer. During the chat we refer to his research presentation at the reent Craft Brewers Conference. You can download that here ....
This week we chat with Mark Hubbard from Blizzard Brewing to find out about establishing and running Australia's highest brewery. In the preramble Prof tells of his trial of the Hawthorn New World Pilsener , we discuss the International Beer Challenge results that were released the night before we recorded, we discuss crowdfunding , organic beer , and Queensland's new craft beer permits that may or may not assist craft brewers....
This week we chat with Stuart Whytcross from Voyager Craft Malt. It is a cracking chat about the birth of Voyager craft malt, the barley industry, the Barellan Beer Project and plenty more besides. In the pre-ramble we chat about the Broo stock market listing that would see it valued at more than $100 million dollars, Gage Roads' plans to buy back the farm from Woolworths, and also CUB's latest heritage brand play, with the re-release of Bulimba Gold Top.
This special edition of Radio Brews News features a discussion panel that took place back in May during Good Beer Week called Brewers and Growers. It features an expert panel of guests, including Rupanyup farmer and Grain Producers Australia chairman Andrew Weidemann, Owen Johnston from Hop Products Australia and a great panel of brewers including Grant Wearin from Modus Operandi, Andrew Ong from 2 Brothers, Sean Simons from White Lakes Brewery and Brad Rogers from Stone & Wood. The panel lo...
This week, and by popular demand, we catch up with John Preston from Melbourne's iconic homebrew store, Grain & Grape . John began brewing with his friend Laurie Cahir in 1987. They soon migrated to all-grain brewing and soon had plans of opening a brewery. Commonsense prevailed and they pooled funds to open Southern Home Brewing in Edithvale in August 1990, only the second Australian Home Brewing business specialising in all grain. Grain & Grape has supplied and nurtured an assortment o...
This week we catch up with Modus Operandi Brewing's co-founder and CBIA Board member, Grand Wearin, to talk about some of the data he presented to the recent CBIA Craft Brewers Conference. Grant talks about what the survey says about the size of the Australian craft beer industry, how thenumbers were generated and also the importance of the survey to the industry. In the pre-ramble we discuss Pete's current health kick, Ari Mervis' departure from SAB Miller / CUB , the preference many venues app...
