Australia has always been on my bucket list of places to visit and for good reason. They have some of the most unique plants, animals and landscapes in the world such as the Great Barrier Reef, the Great Divide and the Outback just to name a few. They also have a bustling craft beer scene and I wanted to take the opportunity to highlight it. Continue reading for some brewery recommendations and a couple of quick interviews with some beer bloggers.
BREWERIES TO VISIT
Mountain Culture – Katoomba
What was once the Blue Mountains newspaper offices & printing press is now home to Mountain Culture brewpub which is tucked away in the Blue Mountains National Park. You can find a variety of brews ranging from experimental NEIPAs to big Russian stouts.
Capital Brewing – Canberra
This brewery is all about brewing good natured beers. They have a taproom where you enjoy freshly made brews like their Evil Eye Red IPA or their XPA. You can pair your favorite beer with a flame grilled burger provided by Brod Burger.
Range Brewing – Brisbane
This brewery was started by two childhood friends with a vision to bring the latest innovations in modern beer from around the world to Australia. They create many hop-forward beers with weekly releases of IPAs, sours, stouts and more.
Revel Brewing – Bulimba
Located on Oxford street in Bulimba, this craft brewery is the perfect spot for delicious IPAs, Ales, and Goses to pair with their wood fired pizzas.
Beer Bloggers You Should Follow
Below is just a small list of amazing influencers to follow!
1. @GlobalCraftBeerGirl
2. @TheThirstyChippy
3. @HerCraftBeerGoggles
4. @Its_a_Brewtiful_World
5. @The_Hoptimist
6. @The_Tassie_Tippler
INTERVIEWS:
I had the chance to connect with a couple of influencers that are based in Australia and here is what they had to say:
@GlobalCraftBeerGirl – Queensland, Australia
1. What was the inspiration of starting a craft beer account?
I have loved craft beer for over 10 years and when Covid hit, it hit hard. I wanted to inspire others to support local breweries and good craft beer with my knowledge, love and passion.
2. What camera do you take your photos with?
I use an IPhone 8 with some lighting assistance. It is just easy to snap and post.
3. Where are you located in the world?
Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia
4. What was your first beer? Macro and craft?
I am from Canada originally so the brewery that kinda started it for me was Granville a Island Brewery. The beer that I recall loving back in the day False Creek Raspberry Ale, a summer limited edition.
5. Aside from Instagram, what do you do in your free time?
Well I used to travel often (being a travel agent). I also like to make crafts (beer inspired of course). I also like getting outdoors and exploring.
6. For someone visiting from outside of Australia, what breweries would you recommend?
So many but here are my current brewery loves…
– Range Brewing – Brisbane located, producing weekly releases that are normally hop forward with the odd Stout and Sour releases.
– Revel Brewing – I am an ambassador for this brewery. Amazing venue off the Brisbane River in suburb called Bulimba. I love their SHIPA beers so you can really let the hop stand out. Pairs nicely with their homemade pizza.
– Innate Brewers – Located on the other side of the country in WA, I am lucky to do beer trade and this is the beer I always look forward to trying. High IBU and good description of the beer on the can. Never had a bad beer by them.
– Mountain Culture – Last but certainly not least. One of my all time fav’s. Located in Katoomba in a historical building this is a must visit brewery location. Head Brewer DJ knows how to produce great beer from his past experience at Oskar Blues in the US. Loved every beer of theirs I have tried, and I have had a lot.
7. Favorites place you have traveled too?
Well I have visited almost 40 countries so this is tricky.
– Tallinn, Estonia – cute city, surrounded by an old wall and cobble stone streets. There is a definite must visit whilst in Europe. Good craft beer scene too.
– Japan – for the quirkiness, cultural differences, lovely kind people and amazing sights.
– USA – I have been to 25 of the 50 states and I love the states that not everyone thinks about visiting. Vermont, Oregon and Tennessee. Love the great local craft beer and the uniqueness of these states too.
8. How long have you been on Instagram?
I have been on Insta for just over a year, but properly beer blogging since Feb this year.
9. Any pets?
Yepp…Simcoe the kitten2 Border Collie half sisters – Ella and KonaBeer names of course
10. Bucketlist breweries?
Monkish, Green Cheeks, Gamma, Deya, Cloud Water, Drekker
11. Favorite beer bloggers/influencers?
Proper Josh – he is all about the beer profile and taste. A real inspiration
It’s_a_brewtiful_world – She basically helped get me started. I asked and she was willing to help a girl out. Love you Kylie. A true inspiration
12. What was the inspiration behind your IG name?
So Globalcraftbeergirl suited my love of travel and beer. I love supporting local breweries as I travel the world. That’s pretty much it.
13. Favorite movies/shows right now?
With the world at a stand still with Covid I like nothing too serious. The Office (US edition) cause it’s bloody funny. I have been re-watching a lot of old movies from the 90s like She’s All That and American Pie.
14. What’s a some music you are into right now?
Been showing some love for some Canadian Artists – Sarah Harmer, Metric, Lights and Tragically Hip.
15. Favorite thing about Australia?
The weather – Usually always beautiful blue skies The beaches and scenery. We can’t leave Australia at the moment, but we are lucky what we have to visit in our own backyard.
16. Is there a style of beer that is your favorites or least favorite?
Favourites at the moment – DDH DIPA, SHIPA, WCIPA, Imperial Sour and Pastry Stouts
Least Favourites – Lager, Porter and Pale Ale
17. If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Time Travel
18. If you could change one thing in the world right now, what would it be?
Peace
️ 19. If you could interview anyone from your life living or dead, but not a celebrity, who would it be and why?
My Dad. He died 4 years ago from Cancer. So many things I wish I knew about him and growing up as a hippy.
20. Anything you want to shoutout or plug?
I just want to shout out my girl group in Australia. A great support network of amazing Aussie based beer loving ladies. Our hashtag – #beerchicksaustralia . Àlso my girl who is a part of this group – @hercraftbeergoggles We do biweekly IGTV live tasting beers together. Your the best Sarah xx
@TheThirstyChippy
1. What was the inspiration or reason you started a craft beer account?
None of my friends drank craft beer so I wanted to elaborate on the flavours with my posts and hopefully change some minds, I also wanted to conjoin it with my carpentry work hence “the thirsty chippy” being my username (chippy meaning carpenter) and have some fun with it combined but it turned out to be more focused on beer and I’ve gained a lot of friendships from my Instagram account which is sensational.
2. What camera do you take your photos with?
I just use old faithful iPhone X and all my shots are on portrait mode with some slight photoshopping mainly for brightness, I try to keep the beer looking as it is in person!
3. Where are you located in the world?
I’m on the East coast of Australia in a town called Newcastle, surrounded by beautiful beaches and an amazing craft beer scene, a lot of local pubs and tap houses showcase independent craft beer which is amazing!
4. What was your first beer? Macro and craft?
I’m 29 so 11 years ago craft beer wasn’t really heard of or available so I’d drink most lagers from macro breweries but as I got into my early twenties, pale ales started to become more available and I jumped straight onto that! Now I try to spend my money mostly on independent beer but I still have a few macro breweries I’m still very fond of course.
5. Aside from Instagram, what do you do in your free time?
I work 6 days a week so I spend most of my time on the tools as a carpenter.
6. For someone visiting from outside of Australia, what breweries would you recommend?
There’s a new micro brewery popping up every week so once covid buggers off, Australia should be a place people flock to for a brewery trip! The Blue Mountains holds a brewery called Mountain Culture, their head brewer DJ was well renowned in the states so they’ve struck gold and are brewing hazies left right and centre, and unreal quality!My second favourite brewery I’ve been to is Capital Brewing in Canberra, the brewery and taphouse is combined and such a happy experience to walk into, always full of happy faces and fantastic beer!
7. How long have you been home brewing?
About 2 yours, on and off, nothing to intricate, just some simple worts you fill the keg.
8. Do you have a favorite brew that you have made yourself?
I made a Pilsner last year with the addition of fresh raspberries and it was actually really good. Got a couple of non craft drinkers on my side when I gave them a sample.
9. On your stories you are seen cooking often… Any favorite recipes or recommendations?
I love to cook a good quality steak, in a pan with heaps of butter and garlic! The thicker the better!
10. Any pets?
2 boxer dogs, Maple and Bindi and they are very much like humans
11. Bucketlist breweries?
Garage Project in New Zealand are probably my number 1 brewery I’d love to visit and there’s a bunch in Colorado andNorth Carolina I’d love to make a trip of.
12. Favorite beer bloggers/influencers?
There’s a fella over here in Australia who is the brand rep and owner for one of my favourite Breweries, Balter Brewing, Stirling Howland, he’s an absolute legend and comedian, Reckon we’d have good few beers together.
13. What was the inspiration behind your IG name?
Carpentry first and then craft beer, but then the beers started tasting way to good!
14. Favorite movies/shows right now?
My all time favourite movie is Chef starting Jon Favreau, such a great feel good story that feels very real life.
15. What’s some music you are into right now?
A band out of Canada, Nothing But Thieves are absolutely killing it, and if your into some Aussie rock, I’d check out Gang of Youths.
16. Favorite thing about Australia?
The people are just mostly so chill and easy going, no politics, just good vibes from the majority.
17. Is there a style of beer that is your favorites or least favorite?
My favourite would be a west coast IPA, I love the piney flavours, least favourite probably a Belgian wheat beer, just a bit to sweet for my liking.
18. If you could have a super power, what would it be?
I’d love to be able to teleport, just something simple but effective. Feel like a beer on the west coast of the US, easy BOOM, I’m at Russian river brewing.
19. If you could change one thing in the world right now, what would it be?
Hate. Everyone needs to learn to love one another no matter what.
20. If you could interview anyone from your life living or dead, but not a celebrity, who would it be and why?
My pop, he was a carpenter himself, I’d love to pick his brain about all the work I do and he has done. Also wouldn’t mind sharing a beer with him.
21. Anything you want to shoutout or plug?
Shoutout to my future children, when your 18, we are hitting the taprooms!!