Moo Brew set to celebrate 20 years of artisanal beers

Long before there was MONA, there was Moo Brew.

Moo Brew, the oldest and largest craft brewery in Tasmania, will celebrate turning 20 later this month.

With two specially-brewed limited release beers on offer and a party at MONA, beer lovers will be able to raise a glass to two decades of brewing led by MONA supremo David Walsh.

Walsh founded Moo Brew when he discovered a bottle he liked and wanted something to put in it.

The brewery was established in Berriedale at Moorilla Estate in 2005 - several years before Walsh’s museum opened its doors - later moving to their purpose-built home in Bridgewater.

In 2023 the team opened Manky Sally’s in Salamanca, a taphouse and nano-brewery boasting tiny tanks and an oversized attitude.

Moo Brew returns to MONA on Saturday, November 22, taking over the lawns to celebrate its r birthday with the help of the museum’s chef Vince Trim and an all-Tassie music line-up, There will then be a "riotous" after party at Manky Sally’s.

The two new limited-release beers, brewed to mark 20 years, are the Single Hop Tassie Pale Ale and Belgian Golden Strong Ale, brewed by all three of Moo Brew’s former and current head brewers: Owen Johnston (2005-2014), Dave MacGill (2014-2020) and Jack Viney (2020-present).

The Single Hop was re-released this week with the Belgian Strong Ale following on November 27.

The beers will be available in good bottle shops and venues around Tasmania and via Moo Brew’s website. Both will be available to Mona and Manky Sally’s imbibers on November 22 as part of the birthday celebrations.

Moo Brew Head Brewer Jack Viney says: 'It's not often a craft brewery makes it to 20 years, and it’s testament to the enduring love of Moo Brew - and the efforts of the people behind it -that we’re able to pull this off.

"Getting together with our former head brewers was so special, and we’re thrilled to present a traditional Belgian-style beer (a nod to David's beer cellar) in the OG bottle, as well as the much beloved Single Hop tallboy."

Birthday celebrations from 12pm–4:30pm at MONA will feature games, giveaways, flame-grilled lawn food from the Heavy Metal Kitchen, and a stout and oyster bar.

Beers and merch available via www.moobrew.com.au.

Tough times in the drinks business in Australia

Two Australian drinks producers that launched projects using crowdfunding have this week gone into administration - a sign of tough times in the beverage business.

Sobah Beverages, a non-alcoholic craft beer company based on the Gold Coast, has entered voluntary administration after eight years of operations.

Australian Distilling Ltd, the parent company of Old Young’s, Juniper Society, and Gingin Gin this week also appointed voluntary administrators.

That came just under one year after the business launched a public crowdfunding campaign to support the Cathedral of Gin venue, in the Swan Valley, Western Australia.

This raised over $1.36 million from 392 investors in additional crowdfunding, adding to $2.7 million raised March 2023 raise.

The dual crashes came one month after Australian spirits business Top Shelf International also went into administration.

James Young, who founded Old Young’s in 2016, is expected to put forward a restructuring proposal.

Old Young’s Kitchen, the restaurant attached to the distillery, has closed, but the venue continues to operate as an events space.

Sobah Beverages cited the economic downturn and broader challenges in the beer industry as reasons for their decision.

Sobah was founded in 2017 by Dr Clinton Schultz and Lozen McDiarmid-Schultz, making it Australia’s first dedicated non-alcoholic beer brand.

In a media statement, Sobah said all its products are still available.

Image: Yuliia Moreva, Scop.io   

Taste some of the best of Australia in Sydney

Food and wine lovers are in for a treat this month when the Grape, Grain & Graze Festival returns to Sydney on Saturday, September 20. 

The event celebrates the culmination of the Sydney Royal Wine, Beer, Cider, Distilled Spirits and Fine Food Shows, giving visitors access to some of Australia’s best products - including an unlimited tasting of over 1000 medal-winning wines. Good luck with that one!

“Grape, Grain & Graze is a dream come true for food and wine lovers,” said Sydney Royal Wine Committee Chair Angus Barnes.

“The festival offers unique access to over 1,000 of Australia’s best wines, plus award-winning beers, cider, distilled spirits and food in a festival-style setting, accompanied by live music and a fantastic atmosphere. 

"I can’t think of anything like it here in Sydney, and it's only on for one day, so people need to get in quick!”

Tickets to the event start at $120 and include entry, unlimited tastings of award-winning wine, beer and cider, and grazing on charcuterie boards.

The event will also feature live music and access to a Sydney Royal Marketplace, where guests can try produce from the Sydney Royal Fine Food Show. And, for a snack, food trucks such as Bianco’s Kitchen and Antico Woodfire Pizza are on the agenda. 

Additional add-ons include tastings of the 2025 Sydney Royal Wine Show Trophy winning wines, guided wine and cheese tastings, and an immersive masterclass showcasing Sydney Royal’s gin winners.

The event is presented by the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW, which runs the Sydney Royal competitions. 

The Grape, Grain & Graze Festival will take place at Sydney Showground from 2pm–7pm. 

Learn more or purchase tickets at www.rasnsw.com.au/ggg

Corona remains the world’s most-valuable beer brand

Corona has been named as the world’s most valuable beer brand for the second consecutive year, Kantar’s 2025 BrandZ Global report says. 

The accolade comes as the brand celebrates its centenary, bolstered by notable global growth and the growing success of its alcohol-free offshoot, Corona Cero.



The report shows that eight of the world’s top 10 beer brands are now owned by global giant AB InBev, with Budweiser ranked second, Modelo fourth and Michelob ULTRA fifth. 

AB InBev, listed on stock exchanges in Brussels, Mexico City, Johannesburg and New York, achieved all-time high revenues in 2024, along with 15% growth on earnings.

Corona’s international success in 2024 included double-digit growth outside of its native Mexico, and significantly, triple-digit gains for alcohol-free Corona Cero. 

The non-alcoholic variant is the first beer brand to sponsor the Olympic Games, debuting in Paris last year. 

Corona’s “Corona 100” platform will feature anniversary events across global markets throughout 2025, positioning the brand at the centre of both celebration and innovation. 

Marcel Marcondes, AB InBev’s global chief marketing officer, says the brand’s success demonstrates the value of long-term brand building and consistency. 

“Having eight out of the top 10 beer brands in Kantar’s BrandZ rankings reflects our focus on growing our megabrands through consumer-centricity, consistency and effectiveness.”
 he said. 

Michelob ULTRA, the fastest-growing beer brand in the US, moved up one position in Kantar’s beer rankings, now fifth globally. 

The AB InBev-owned light beer brand continues to tap into health-focused consumer trends in North America and beyond.

The top 10: 1. Corona, 2. Budweiser, 3. Heineken, 4. Modelo, 5. Michelob ULTRA, 6. Brahma, 7. Bud Light, 8. Skol, 9. Stella Artois, 10. Guinness. 

Pub thieves think Clarkson's glasses are top gear

When you are a celebrity with a pub you are apparently fair game for souvenir hunters.

Former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson has described the theft of branded pint glasses from his pub as “worse than galling”.

Clarkson owns the The Farmer’s Dog in Burford, Oxfordshire, producing Hawkstone beers. He has pleaded with libationists to stop their larcenous ways.

Clarkson revealed that on one day last week 104 pint glasses “went missing”, which was making it harder for the pub to turn a profit, website the drinks business reported.

“People seem to have it in their heads that if they come in for a pint they are entitled to go home with the glass in which it was served,” he said.

“Last Sunday 104 [pint glasses] went missing. And that cost must be added to the £100 a day we spend on fuel for the generator, the £400 a week it costs to provide warmth on the terrace and the £27,000 a month we must spend on parking and traffic marshals to keep the council off our back.”

Some of the Hawkstone-branded pint glasses have already appeared on ebay.

To dissuade thieving tipplers from pocketing his glasses, Clarkson has resorted to printing new beer mats featuring his face and the words: “Jeremy is watching. Don’t steal his pint glasses!”

Clarkson’s pub is located just 15 kilometres away from the motoring journalist’s Diddly Squat Farm.

Your last-minute festive gift guide for gourmets and drinkers

Got friends who love their food and drink? Here are some last-minute festive gift ideas put together by the GOTR team.

Wine lovers will enjoy experimenting with new high-tech glasses from Melbourne-based Denver & Liely that retail for $200 each.

The hand-blown crystal glasses went through eight years of R&D before being released last month and are designed to aerate the wine in a similar fashion to decanting.

The glasses are beautiful-looking and certainly help soften out the tannins in big, young reds.

Designer Denver Cramer found inspiration for the shape in commercial jet engines, with a multi-directional turbine ‘hub’, designed to rapidly aerate the wine.

The universal design suits pinot noir and chardonnay best, but also works with red blends.

Hand-blown and hand polished, the glasses are fun and impressive. See https://denverandliely.com/

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As soon as the GoTR team saw the AdHoc PEPE Chili Cutter they wanted one.

Specially designed to cut dried chilis, the stainless steel and acrylic design makes for a beautiful addition to kitchens with its eye-catching design.

AdHoc was named as best kitchen brand of the year for 2024-2025 in the PLUS X awards and this looks the goods; combining design and functionality.

German-designed AdHoc products are well thought out with their straightforward elegance. 

This costs $39.95 and is perfect for when you want to add just the right amount of chilli to your past or pizza.  See https://sheldonandhammond.com.au

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Vodka is the perfect summer tipple. It can be enjoyed with just about any mixer and loves to get up close and personal with ice cubes.

STOLI Premium Vodka is a smooth and iconic spirit that's perfect for festive cocktails. Distilled three times from top-quality grain and filtered through birch charcoal and quartz sands, it's blended with pure artesian well water for a clean, crisp taste.

Whether it's mixed into a classic martini or enjoyed over ice, STOLI is a long-time favourite and very stylish.

STOLI Premium Vodka is available via Dan Murphy’s, alongside other flavours such as Cucumber, Vanilla and Salted Karamel. $58.99.

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Travellers and beer lovers will enjoy the new edition of the coffee table book Australia’s Historic Pubs.

It tells the stories behind 52 of the most loved heritage pubs across Australia. Illustrated with lovely colour images, it reveals their varied histories and also uncovers many colourful characters through the centuries.

Readers can discover how immigrants carved out their destinies amidst the greed and ambition of the gold rushes, while convicts carved the building blocks.

From the bustling streets of Hobart to the serene banks of the Swan and Brisbane Rivers, this book takes you on a journey to visit some of the most venerable watering holes in Australia.

Australia's Historic Pubs  costs $49.99 and is available at good book shops, or through
http://woodslanepress.com.au.

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Henschke is one of Australia’s most revered family wine producers and has released a range of special gift packs.

Check out the Plumm Glassware Gift Packs: special edition offerings that contain two Henschke-branded Plumm crystal wine glasses and a bottle of wine. 

Each glass is machine blown from 100% lead-free European crystal, using the pulled stem method for increased durability. Each pack contains the two glasses and a Henschke wine of your choice. 

The glasses cost $55 a pair and the cost of your chosen wine will be added at checkout. See https://www.henschke.com.au/products/plumm-glassware-gift-pack-choose-your-own-wine.

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Angel's Envy  a super-premium Kentucky Straight Bourbon, has just landed in Australia, and at under $100, it is an ideal treat for whiskey enthusiast dads.  

Angel's Envy was founded in Louisville, Kentucky, in 2011 by industry icon and Master Distiller Lincoln Henderson and his son Wes Henderson.

Unlike other bourbons, Angel’s Envy undergoes an additional maturation process, with its Kentucky Straight bourbon finished in port wine barrels to adds an additional layer of complexity and flavour. 

Angel's Envy costs $99.99 and is available at independent retailers nationwide.

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Got a thirsty friend who enjoys trying different beers? The Casella family, the people behind [yellow tail] wines, also have their own brewery in the small town of Yenda In the Riverina.

Their range includes very quaffable Yenda Pale Ale ($17 for a six pack) and the light, clear Yenda Session Lager available in 330ml six-pack bottles (RRP $7.50).

Out of the same brewery is the laid-back, easy drinking Poets Lager ($16 for a six-pack). Available at Cellarbrations, Bottle-O, IGA Liquor and Porters.

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Mason Cash has been producing mixing bowls for centuries but recently released the new Home to Roost range, featuring beautifully delicate embossments and a cheery colours.

The Home to Roost range includes mixing bowls in three sizes, the batter bowl, prep bowls, storage jars and a utensil pot.

Made from earthenware, the bowls are light enough to hold in one arm while mixing, but sturdy enough when using on the countertop.

This is the Mother Hen nest bowl ($110) from https://masoncash.com.au/products/collections/home-to-roost/.

Top Image: Aleksei Popoc, Scop.io   

Movies in the vineyards for a Christmas treat

A pre-Christmas trip to the Yarra Valley vineyards?

How about a glass or two of wine, a hearty meal and a classic movie under the stars?

Cinema in the Vines returns to Tokar Estate the weekend before Christmas (December 21-22).

The family-owned Yarra Valley winery will be screening two sessions of festive family films: Home Alone and The Polar Express.

Guests are invited to start their evening with a treat from Frosty’s Kitchen, the Yarra Valley’s popular food truck, paired with a sampling of Tokar Estate’s premium cool-climate wines, local craft beers, or cocktails.

Adults can relax with their drinks on a picnic rug while the kids enjoy lawn games in the picturesque vineyard setting.

Kids of all ages can also visit the Tokar Estate’s candy bar, featuring Choc Tops, crisps, and hot-buttered popcorn.  BYO picnic rug, bean bag or camping chair.

Tickets are $22 for adults and $14 for children with a family ticket $65 for two adults and up to three young 'uns. Children under three are admitted free. Tokar Estate is a fully licenced venue, so there is trictly no BYO food or beverage.

Tickets for Home Alone can be purchased here.

Tickets for The Polar Express can be purchased here.

Quench your thirst as the Gold Coast welcomes new watering holes

It can get hot and sweaty on the Gold Coast, so it is no surprise that three new bars have opened in time to despatch summer refreshment.

From Miami to Surfers Paradise and up on Tamborine Mountain, the openings are coming thick and fast.

Roji Cat Beer Bar (below) brings a slice of Tokyo's alleyway drinking culture to Miami.

Think rotating specialty beers, cocktails and food offerings.

Led by head brewer Satoshi Tamura, the brewery offers 12 house-made brews and a sake bar with 24 varieties.

The brewery also offers an intimate karaoke room and a dart machine room, adding fun and potential caterwauling action.

Lulu Rooftop Bar in Surfers Paradise is set to be a popular destination for long lunches and weekend brunch sessions.

The venue incorporates a large indoor bar and dance floor as as a sprawling open-air rooftop with capacity for 210 guests. Think a beachy vibe with food and drinks.

Up in the hinterlands, The Kennel Taproom and Sports Bar (top image) is a new bar at Boxer Brewing Company at Tamborine Mountain.

Named after owner Jon Heslop's childhood pet boxer dog, offering everything from lagers to curated craft brews.

There will be live music on the deck every weekend.

How to create a beer with your own image

There is always something new in the hospitality industry. 

How about printing images from your smartphone into the foam of your beer? 

Sounds wacky, sure, but it has proved a hit at Automata, Centara Grand Hotel Osaka's innovative 32nd-loor bar in Japan's second city. 

Automata is one of several hotel bars operated across Asia by Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator. 

I'm told that entering Automata feels like stepping into a science-fiction movie. Think polished chrome, neon lights and a self-service bar where you can blend your own drinks.

I do like the idea of being able to send patterns and images from your smartphone to print in your beer foam. 

Then there are the views with panoramic windows framing Osaka’s skyline. 

Centara has 95 properties spanning destinations including the Maldives, Vietnam, Laos, China, Japan, Oman, Qatar, Turkey and the UAE. 

Find out more about Centara at www.CentaraHotelsResorts.com

Brewer underlines its environmental credentials

Being eco-friendly is a key driver of sales and Melbourne-based independent Bodriggy Brewing Co. has become the first Victorian brewery - and only the second in Australia - to gain carbon neutral accreditation for both its beers and brewery under the Federal Government’s Climate Active program.

It is a major milestone for the Abbotsford brewer when so many craft breweries are struggling in the current economic climate.

Co-founded in 2016 by the same team behind Collingwood bar Dr Morse, and specialty coffee shop Plug Nickel; Peter Walsh, Jon Costello, Anthony Daniels, and Jessica Morris started Bodriggy as their third joint business venture.

Bodriggy is now stocked nationally by Dan Murphy's, BWS and 500 Coles Liquor stores helping the business average a 20% increase in wholesale sales year-on-year since 2019.

 “We’re really proud to be recognised as the first Victorian, and second national, carbon neutral brewery across everything we do including; our production processes, administrational aspects and of course, our froths," says Walsh.

"Having started Bodriggy eight years ago, not only have we grown up, but our customers have, too.

"We’ve evolved as people with different personal values - ones which place importance on protecting the environment more - and we want to reflect that in all that Bodriggy does.”

Bodriggy built its brewery and brewpub with climate-conscious elements in mind, including; sourcing reclaimed materials for the build, installing solar panels, using serving tanks to minimise keg usage as well as using waste minimising methods in its kitchen.

See www.bodriggy.beer.

# For those playing at home, Capital Brewing in Canberra was the first carbon neutral producer in Australia. 

A new beer for gin lovers

Juniper is a key ingredient of gins, and is not usually associated with beers. 

But the new Coopers Botanic Ale - a limited release brew - takes its pedigree from Coopers Sparkling Ale with the addition of juniper to tempt gin-loving craft beer drinkers.

The juniper adds a floral twist from Australia’s largest independent family-owned brewery.

This naturally conditioned ale has a retro ‘60s design, taking inspiration from the juniper tree with the use of purple and green in the artwork.

Coopers Botanic Ale contains no additives or preservatives and has an ABV of 5.8%. 

The niche market for higher ABV beer in Australia has doubled in size in the past five years, with Coopers Sparkling Ale the most popular beer nationally that sits above 5.5% ABV.

Gin has also been a key driver of recent growth in the spirits market, while a strong crossover exists among gin and craft beer drinkers with 30% of shoppers buying across these two categories.

“Our brewers went for something different with this limited release,” Coopers Brewery general manager Michael Shearer said.

“Coopers Botanic Ale draws on our 19th-century Sparkling Ale recipe while combining novel elements such as juniper sourced from the UK, and Nectaron hops which are a trending variety from New Zealand.

“The result is a tasty and unique addition to Australia’s craft beer category that we know will appeal to existing and new drinkers of Coopers..”

Coopers Botanic Ale will be available in 375ml cans and 50-litre kegs from this month. 

UPDATE: I can confirm after a serious tasting session that this is a very appealing ale with a fresh, zingy vibrancy boosted by the addition of the juniper flavours. A fun partner for a packet of chilli and lime cashews. 

How Sydneysiders can head south for some seafood fun

Fancy a weekend trip from Sydney?

Seafood lovers, in particular, might be tempted by the EAT Festival, which returns to the Sapphire Coast on March 7-10.

EAT Festival is a celebration of the Sapphire Coast’s local produce, producers and chefs, and offers the chance for visitors to enjoy local flavours, chefs’ creations and dining experiences, with the region’s pristine surrounds a bonus.

The event is held over four days with a series of paddock-to-plate and tide-to-table (that's clever) experiences that celebrate the food, the heritage and the wildness of the Sapphire Coast.

For more information on what will be happening see www.eatfestival.com.au

Eat Festival started in 2013 and has attracted growers, brewers, farmers and chefs.



Gourmet events will be held at various locations from Cobargo in the north to Eden in the south.

The main event, Eat Merimbula, runs from 10am-2pm on the Sunday. 

This year, old favourites will rub shoulders with new creatives. 

The Longstocking Brewery from Pambula will be pumping out brews and the famous Sapphire Coast Wilderness Oysters tent will serve up its shuckings. 

This is a non-ticketed event - just rock up with an appetite.

Images: David Rodgers Photography

Major changes brewing at Hop Nation

Footscray beer emporium Hop Nation Taproom will unveil a new look at the end of next month.

Last drinks at the original taproom will be poured tomorrow before Hop Nation shuts up shop after eight years - although takeaways will be available - before unveiling a revamped space on Thursday, September 28.

Hop Nation partnered with the hospitality interior design veterans at Studio Y to bring its vision of a Brooklyn warehouse-meets-Melbourne brewery to life.

The previous layout of the taproom will be completely transformed, creating an expansive, open-plan brewhouse.

There will be 17 brews on tap, featuring the full Hop Nation core range, Ray Hard seltzers – including a brand-new limited-release Pink Grapefruit and Lime Seltzer - and seasonal limited-edition brews, including a Hazy Mid, Oat Cream IPA, Grapefruit West Coast IPA and Guava, Dragonfruit and Toasted Coconut Sour.

The team will also be pouring a new release Footscray Draft to celebrate the re-opening.

The new-look taproom will feature a new purpose-built kitchen, where ex-Figlia Pizzeria chef Alex Addams Williams will be heading up Good Pizza. The pizzeria will focus on long-ferment dough, in both thin, and thick, crispy pan varieties.

Alongside food and drinks, the freshly renovated taproom will be hosting events, including an AFL Grand Final party on Saturday, September 30.

There will be Happy Hours on Thursday and Friday from 3-6pm, and a nod to Oktoberfest with three European-style beers on offer – a Rattenhund Classic Pilsner and two limited releases: a Kellerbier and a Czech Pilsner.

Hop Nation was started by former winemakers Duncan Gibson and Sam Hambour in 2015. Their small-batch beers are made using natural ingredients with no fining or pasteurisation and minimal filtration.

Hop Nation will operate Thursday-Sunday 3pm-9:30pm. See hopnation.com.au

The perfect beer for sipping while watching sunsets?

Ever wondered what beer would be perfect for pairing with watching sunsets?

Me neither, but the laidback crew at Shelter Brewing Co. in Busselton, West Australia, have thought long and hard about it.

Brewer Jason Credaro and his team say their latest limited-release beer, the Left Coast IPA, is the ideal drop.

It is available from today - and if you can get yourself to Busselton then there will be free beer at a ‘First Pour’ event with tastings, DJs and giveaways. 

“This beer is an homage to the WA coastline and everything that makes it great - waves, crays, camping in the dunes, red dirt, white sand, the coral coast, tides that move like brumbies and, of course, sunsets over the sea,” said Credaro.

“It’s a clean, crisp IPA; a fresh, new-world style with a punchy pineapple core and passionfruit, guava and pine undertones.

“It’s a very sessionable beer at a sensible-ish ABV, a beer as laid back as a night around the campfire in the dunes.”

The Left Coast IPA First Pour will be at Shelter Brewing Co. on Friday, August 11, from 6pm and is a free event.

For those that can’t make it down to Busselton, it will be tapped at venues across Perth at the same time.

# Shelter is a brewery and family-friendly venue on the Busselton Foreshore with seven core beers: Pale Ale, Extra Pale Ale, India Pale Ale, Summer Sour, Red Ale, Lager and Jetty Jump Pale.

See www.shelterbrewing.com.au

Coopers goes full throttle with new Vintage Ale

Coopers Brewery has updated its Vintage Ale packaging to reflect the brewery’s new brand design ahead of the 2023 seasonal ale release.

Each year, the Coopers brewing team creates a vintage premium quality craft-style beer. 

The limited-edition Coopers 2023 Vintage Ale features American hop Talus, which provides intense fruity and floral flavours. In keeping with the heritage of Vintage Ale, this year’s release is a full-bodied, extra-strong ale sitting at alcohol level of 7.5% ABV. 

So not a drop for the faint hearted. 

Coopers managing director and chief brewer, Dr Tim Cooper, said the 2023 Vintage Ale continues the brewery’s tradition of producing popular annual seasonal releases.

“Australian drinkers have a real thirst for seasonal brews, and we expect loyal Coopers drinkers will be exceptionally pleased with this year’s Vintage Ale release,” he said.

“A rich, balanced and full-bodied ale, the 2023 vintage drinks well immediately, and if stored under cellar conditions will evolve and develop to become more complex over time.

“The flavour hero of the 2023 Vintage is Talus, a dual-purpose American hop that delivers bold aromas of citrus and berries, with grapefruit, stone fruit, coconut, and pine on the palate.

“As with every Coopers Vintage release, only a limited number of kegs and cartons are available, so drinkers should get in early to ensure they don’t miss out.:

Coopers 2023 Vintage Ale is the 23rd in a series of Vintage Ales that commenced in 1998.

It will be available in liquor outlets from late July in 355mL bottles, six-packs and 24-pack cartons. Vintage Ale will also be available for a limited time on tap at selected venues around the country.

Talk about a dream: Brewing up a storm in Orange

Orange in Central Western NSW is known as the home of several of Australia's best cool-climate wine producers.

But when you've had your full of wine you can also visit a new taproom and bar with 14 different brews on offer.

Badlands Brewery was established in 2010 by long-time home-brewer, Jon Shiner and has now opened a new spot to enjoy beers with food in their own location in the centre of town.

All Badlands Brewery’s core beers are made only with malted wheat and barley, water, yeast and hops and are unfiltered and free of preservatives and additives.

Badlands Brewery & Taproom has 14 taps as well as local wines, tasting paddles, growler fills, brewery tours, merchandise, food trucks and live music, Destination NSW reports.

The 45-minute tours offer a behind the scenes look at the brewing process and the price includes two complimentary beers.

"We prefer to concentrate on the beer so have partnered with some amazing local and regional food producers," says Shiner.

"Hot food is available every evening and all day at weekends and we serve delicious Indian food courtesy of our neighbourhood Indian restaurant The Upperhouse.

"Vishal and team have created a custom beer-matched menu just for us. Enjoy items such as chicken naan tacos, chilli paneer and masala prawns."

Badlands is open Wednesday to Sunday. For more details see www.badlandsbrewery.com.au/taproom

Just capital: Get on the beers as part of your hotel package

What could be better after a hard day or two at work in Canberra than to wind down with a beer tasting?

The Avenue Hotel has just announced a partnership with BentSpoke Brewing Co. aimed at connecting visitors to the nation's capital with local artisan beer and cider makers.

Promoted as catering to an "untapped market", the hotel has put togrther a package combining a local brewery experience with its accommodation offering.

"Just like the wine and spirits industries in Canberra, there’s also a strong interest in local beers but there is a noticeable gap in the market for an offering which includes an overnight stay,” said Alison Jones, marketing manager for Capital Hotel Group, the parent company of Avenue Hotel.

“There’s no doubt the past few years have thrown up some challenges for the accommodation sector, so Avenue has been seeking new and interesting ways to entice visitors to the capital.

“The hotel is just a few minutes’ walk from the capital’s best brewery, BentSpoke Brewing Co,, and for some time our guests have expressed a real desire to connect with authentic local brands and makers, particularly in the food and beverage space."

BentSpoke founder and brewer Richard Watkins said: "With over 50 different beers and ciders brewed annually from our brewpub in Braddon , we’re now firmly cemented in the Canberran and Australian beer scene - and we love when we have visitors to Canberra enjoying a local brew at BentSpoke."

The brewery tasting room is just a two-minute walk back to the hotel.

The new BentSpoke Beer Tasting Package includes BentSpoke’s signature sample bar for two with four beers of choice chosen based on guests’ preferences, an overnight stay in a superior king room at Avenue Hotel, breakfast for two at the hotel’, free parking and free wifi.

The package is valid from now for stays Thursday-Sunday until August 31.

The package must be booked at least seven days in advance. Prices start from $267 per room per night.

For more information, visit https://avenuehote.com.au/offer/2/bentspoke-beer-tasting-package

How very English. A lighthouse tour and a pint of bitter

One of Britain's most important lighthouses is being opened for public tours - thanks to the local brewery.

Adnams Brewery has launched tours of the famous white lighthouse in Southwold, Suffolk, which has previously been open only on special occasions.

The brewer has partnered with Trinity House, the General Lighthouse Authority, to shine a light on an the important landmark in its home town.

As of this month, Adnams will begin conducting tours of one of Southwold’s most iconic buildings - but visitors will need to be fit to climb 113 steps to the top of the 31-metre tower to enjoy panoramic views out to sea, as well as looking into the Adnams brewery and distillery, both of which also host regular tours.

Nick Attfield, director of Adnams hospitality and retail, told the Eastern Daily Press: “This will be a real highlight for anyone coming to Southwold.

"The views are spectacular and it’s worth every one of the 113 steps to the top."

The lighthouse was built in 1890 and is still operational. The main lamp reaches almost 44km out to sea, providing an important guide for vessels navigating the North Sea.

The tours offer a chance for people to look behind the scenes of its daily operation and will operate from Adnams' tours centre, lasting around 50 minutes.

Good news for the thirsty tourist: lighthouse tours will include a voucher for a glass of Adnams beer at The Sole Bay Inn, which is just a few steps away, as well as a 10% discount voucher for the Adnams shop, where you'll find European favourites alongside wines like De Bortoli Noble One and Greywacke Pinot Noir.

for details see https://adnams.co.uk/products/lighthouse-tour

Meet Hobart's new drinking den - Manky Sally's

 

David Walsh does not do ordinary.

The owner of Hobart's quirky MONA museum, Moorilla Wines, Domaine A and Moo Brew is about to open Hobart's newest drinking den: with the unlikely name of Manky Sally's.

The taphouse and bar will be on the Salamanca strip - located just a stone’s throw from the Mona Roma ferry terminal.

The oldest craft brewery in lutruwita/Tasmania, Moo Brew began life when Walsh found a bottle he liked - but not a beer to fill it.

The new venture is equally experimental with Moo Brew’s managing director Lauren Sheppard and head brewer Jack Viney at the helm.

Manky Sally’s will feature a nano-brewery, and serve up "new and classic brews".

‘Do not expect timber benches, metal furniture and people sitting around barrels’, says Lauren, ‘with the name a cheeky nod to our location, Manky Sally’s is not your typical taphouse.’

The bar’s interior features decor and fittings that have been foraged from MONA’s four warehouses. From artworks that may or may not be forgeries, to atmospheric lighting and fancy chandeliers to taxidermied creatures and vintage carpets.

Suitably Walsh wacky.

Tunes will be supplied by a MONA-curated vinyl collection and there will also be the occasional live performance.

Head brewer Viney says: ‘Trying something different with 7000 litres of beer is risky, but on 300 litres? Not so much. Manky Sally’s tiny brewing tanks will give us the chance to conduct some creative experiments and get instant feedback from the people drinking at the bar."

There will be 14 taps at Manky Sally’s serving eight core Moo Brew beers, two seasonal releases, two experimental beers brewed onsite, a guest Tassie beer and a cocktail. There will also be batched cocktails, Tasmanian spirits, and Domaine A, Moorilla and other local wines.

Dinner will be on offer seven days a week, with lunch served Friday-Sunday, featuring seasonal, shareable snacks.

‘We’re creating the type of bar where we’d choose to drink’, says Shepherd. "It’s like nothing else you’ve ever seen and that’s really the point."

Manky Sally’s will be at 25 Salamanca Place, Hobart - hopefully from mid-December. See https://moobrew.com.au/

A whale of a time in Margaret River

If limited-edition beers are your bag, Shelter Brewing Co has produced 10,000 special edition cans of Pale Ale featuring artwork commissioned from local artist Ian Daniell. 

The Margaret River-based artist recently painted “Humpback” at Shelter, a 200sq metre wall mural of a breaching humpback whale.

Now the special edition cans known as Whale Ale are available at Shelter in Busselton, at Margaret River Region Open Studios events and at select bottle shops.

Daniell is Shelter’s artist-in-residence during the Margaret River Region Open Studios event, to be held from September 10-25, a time when the annual whale migration is in full swing.

The event will showcase of Daniell’s Life-Size Ocean Art, inspired by the vast array of marine life found off the Western Australian coast.

To celebrate Daniell’s artist-in-residence stint, Shelter is hosting a free opening party on Friday, September 9.

During the event, Daniell will run a series of events for adults and children, while Sundays at Shelter will include talks with whale researchers and marine biologists, as well as creative workshops.

The artist said that he was thrilled to collaborate with Shelter, a brewery that overlooks Geographe Bay, and pay homage to the humpback whale.

“Shelter is a perfect location to have painted the iconic humpback whale and signal to people that they’re out there in the bay,” said the British-born Daniell.

“Despite their gigantic size, humpback whales are famously acrobatic - look out for their spectacular full body breaches.

“The Whale Ale cans look great - I’m thrilled to have my artwork featured - we hope it leaps out and draws attention to Margaret River Region Open Studios."

The event is free and sees artists open their usually-private studios, welcoming in art lovers to chat about art, see their work, and see them at work.

“Both the mural, a legacy of our first year partnering with Margaret River Region Open Studios, and the Whale Ale cans look amazing, we couldn’t be happier,” said Paul Maley, general manager of Shelter.

For more information and bookings, visit www.shelterbrewing.com.au

Image: Chad Jackson