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3 weeks ago | 
craftypint.com | James Smith
One of Australia's best-known and highly-rated beer venues is back in the hands of its founders after experiencing as wild a ride as any business over what's been a wild couple of years for the beer and hospitality industries.
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3 weeks ago | 
craftypint.com | James Smith
"In this game, you have to all believe in what you're trying to achieve.” While no strangers to awards success, it’s fair to say the team at Philter enjoyed a night to remember at the 2025 Australian International Beer Awards, taking home four major trophies.
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3 weeks ago | 
craftypint.com | James Smith
The day before speaking to two of the key figures behind the rise of Gage Roads – now Australia's fourth largest brewing company – about their 20th anniversary, I suggested they come up with a few milestone moments from the past two decades around which we could base our chat.
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1 month ago | 
craftypint.com | James Smith
Play the full episode The Making Of A Serial Trophy Winner Subscribe and listen Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube RSS "I got the feedback and it was brutal. But I didn't get upset; I just took it on the chin." Who better to feature on the podcast the week after the country's biggest beer awards than the man whose beers have won more trophies in recent years than any other?
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1 month ago | 
craftypint.com | James Smith
The upward trajectory of Mountain Culture looks set to continue apace after they announced they're buying Fox Friday and the brewing company's associated assets, including Carwyn Cellars, from administrators. While details at this stage remain scarce, a brief statement from Mountain Culture co-founders DJ and Harriet McCready said: “We’re so excited. We really respect Fox Friday not just for their awesome beer, but the local communities they have built.
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1 month ago | 
craftypint.com | James Smith
Play the full episode Australian International Beer Awards 2025 Subscribe and listen Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube RSS There’s a special edition of The Crafty Pint Podcast this week as we come to you from the Australian International Beer Awards. The country’s biggest annual beer competition, which is now into its fourth decade, took place at the Melbourne Showgrounds on May 15, where hundreds gathered to see which beers and brewers would be heading home laden with trophies.
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1 month ago | 
craftypint.com | James Smith
The 2025 Australian International Beer Awards delivered an impressive blend of the familiar and fresh-faced, the large and small, the old (very old in one case) and new as hundreds of people gathered at the Melbourne Showgrounds for the local industry's annual showpiece awards dinner.
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1 month ago | 
craftypint.com | James Smith
"The thing I like about the festival is everything. There's nothing I don't like about it." As testimonials go, the words of Rosemarie Ensink – someone who has "completed" a few Pint of Origins over the years – are pretty high praise. Hopefully, as the festival launches across Melbourne for a thirteenth time tomorrow, it will once again live up to her expectations, as well as those of the thousands of others who will be making their way to one, some, or all of the 23 host venues over the ten days.
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1 month ago | 
craftypint.com | James Smith
Play the full episode The Malt Maven Subscribe and listen Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube RSS "There's so much more than just drinking a beer. It's about the environment, the culture, and sharing it with friends." Most people in their very early 30s are probably just about working out what they want to do with their lives. In Steph Howard's case, she's already off to start a new career having left an indelible mark on the beer industry on both sides of The Ditch.
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1 month ago | 
craftypint.com | James Smith
Play the full episode A Golden Era For Pubs - But Can It Last? Subscribe and listen Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube RSS “People attract people. It’s that simple. Nobody wants to sit in an empty room.” If you've visited The Lincoln – a 171-years-and-counting-old corner pub on the edge of Melbourne's CBD – at any point in the past decade, there's a good chance you'll have enjoyed the experience.
