Sponsored Lyndsay Sharp and her husband David own a number of Victoria’s leading beverage brands. Based in the Bellarine Peninsula, their business The Sharp Group produces Flying Brick Cider, one of Australia’s fastest growing craft ciders, as well as premium wine brands Leura Park Estate, Jack Rabbit Vineyard and Yes said the Seal. T he business grew out of the couple’s shared pas…

Here are the top ten fastest growing international beer and cider brands in Australia. In the last year, these products collectively contributed $79m worth of growth to the category. Beer continues to dominate, but perhaps we’ll see more ciders on this list in the future with local trends suggesting continued growth for this segment – and it’s positive that there are already two mentione…

The ‘Great Australasian Beer SpecTAPular’ (GABS) was co-founded in 2011 by Steve Jaffares and Guy Greenstone, the pair also behind The Local Taphouse beer temples and Stomping Ground Brewery & Beer Hall.    The simple idea of inviting Australia’s most exciting craft breweries to brew and release a brand new beer at one mass event has grown to become an annual highlight on the indus…

New Sydney craft brewery Philter has just launched, founded by ex-sales and marketing team member for Lion and Beam Suntory, Stefan Constantoula, along with friend and fellow Marrickville local, Mick Neil. Helming the brewery is Sam Füss, renowned in the industry as one of Australia’s first female brewers. Sam brings to Philter over 16 years of experience, including Head Brewer positions at …

The national cider industry board says craft cider is carving out more than a niche in the alcoholic beverage market. Cider Australia members recently met at the organisation’s 2017 Annual General Meeting in Melbourne to discuss the effects of the Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) Rebate reform on the Australian cider industry. Cider Australia President and co-owner of Tasmania’s Willie Sm…

Former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke has launched Hawke’s Brewing Co., a beer brand in partnership with environmental not-for-profit, Landcare Australia. Landcare Australia is dedicated to managing environmental issues in local communities. Hawke has been committed to Landcare’s causes for quite some time, calling on Australians to unite with the government in tackling the natural res…

Independent Brands Australia (IBA) is currently recruiting passionate beer-enthusiasts to join its team to champion and grow the brand within the exciting and dynamic Australian liquor industry. Metcash, parent company of IBA, proudly supports independently owned retailers across its portfolio of brands, including Mitre 10, IGA, Cellarbrations, Friendly Grocer, Campbells and The Bottle-O.  To vi…

Cricketers Arms has just added Session Ale to its stellar line-up. Asahi Premium Beverages Brand Manager Sarah Wilson said the release is in response to a gap in the market for a mid-strength beer that delivers on flavour. Session Ale has an ABV of 3.5 percent. “Mainstream mid-strength beer and craft beer have both outperformed the market, growing at +21.5 percent and +9.3 percent respecti…

Renowned industry stalwart Dermot O’Donnell has celebrated a 50 years in the beer industry this month, with Asahi Premium Beverages recently holding an industry lunch for O’Donnell at the Builders Arms Hotel in Melbourne. Entering the industry in 1967, O’Donnell’s first industry job was at Courage Brewery working in beer analysis. He then transferred to the Melbourne operatio…

Lion has been announced as Gold Partner for Cricket Australia and the Australian Men’s team, replacing Carlton & United Breweries as the Official Beer and Cider Partner for international cricket. The four year partnership will see Lion’s beers stocked at all Cricket Australia official functions as well as designated signage at stadiums. Chief Executive Officer of Cricket Australi…