The Crafty Pint Podcast

In this exclusive series - The Hop Frontier, presented by HPA - The Crafty Pint Podcast explores what’s happening on the cutting edge of hop innovation from breeding and processing to brewing. In this episode, we’re celebrating the launch of Luna®, a new flavour hop from HPA’s powerhouse breeding program, tracking its fascinating 20+ year journey to commercialisation with HPA’s Head of Breeding & Research Dr Simon Whittock. We’ll also talk with Bright Brewery’s Operations Manager Lewis Kerr, for his insights on the new hop.

“We built a business that was really there to be connected directly to the community, and I think we succeeded in that.”
There are plenty of family-owned and run businesses in the local beer world, but few in which so many family members are as directly involved as Five Barrel Brewing in Wollongong.
As if to prove the point, on the day we visited to record this podcast, Jane (mum) and Mike (dad) were setting up the bar and beer garden. Meanwhile, two of their three kids working in the business, Phil and Lucy, took a break from work to join us upstairs above the brewpub where, at various times, both Phil and his parents have lived. And it wasn’t long before brother Tim got a mention too, in relation to a new side business he and Phil have just launched (which we learned about from Mike).
The O’Sheas first opened Five Barrel in December 2015, just the second brewery in the Illawarra. Now, as they celebrate their first decade, they’re part of a far larger local beer scene, which itself forms the start of an ever-longer South Coast Ale Trail stretching most of the way to the Victorian border. It’s a scene in which they helped pave the way for the others, the evolution of which is just one of the topics covered in this episode.
As well as reflecting on the ten years-and-counting – from the early days pouring samples in a restricted tasting room, releasing Hoppy Amber, and winning best brewery at the 2016 Sydney Craft Beer Week – right through to the launch of brewery software platform Abbl and plans to find a new home in the coming years, Lucy and Phil share insights on all manner of subjects relevant to anyone working in the craft beer community – all in typically thoughtful style.
Prior to that chat, our look back on the week that was takes in our man in the South West’s day spent soaking up the sights and smells of Margaret River Hops, part two of our Metro Tunnel Crafty Crawl, the new-look Molly Rose, and our jam-packed, inspiring trip to NSW.
If you enjoy the show, please feel free to like and subscribe, rate and review wherever you watch or listen. And feel free to get in touch with ideas and feedback.
Start of segments:
0:00 – The Week On Crafty
12:56 – Lucy & Phil Part 1
34:21 – Bowimi: Managing Multiple Drinks Brands With An All-In-One Sales CRM
39:37 – Lucy & Phil Part 2
To find out more about featuring on The Crafty Pint Podcast or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact [email protected].

“How rock n’ roll to take our largest space and fill it with 20,000 litres of barrel-aged beer.”
There’s little in Australian beer like Felons Brewing. First appearing as part of the Howard Smith Wharves (now Artemus Group) development on the Brisbane River as it flows under the iconic Story Bridge, the brewery’s home has steadily gobbled up more of the riverbank to the point its multiple venues can host thousands.
Since late 2024, they’ve been steadily taking over the equally iconic Manly Wharf, most recently opening the Barrel Room live music venue (in addition to the Barrel Hall in Brisbane) and a seafood restaurant for which they’ve devised a way to pour their lager at sub-zero temperatures for maximum crispiness.
Such grandiosity, especially in an era of frugality for many, might seem at odds with much of the indie beer industry. Yet, as our chat with head brewer Tom Champion and brand director Dean Romeo – two of the Little Creatures alumni brought into the business before it launched – shows, they’re community players, in beer and elsewhere, driven by a belief that a rising tide lifts all boats. Or, in this case, indie brewers.
What’s more, there are few breweries in Australia with similar potential to act as a first point of contact for newcomers to craft beer.
Our conversation takes in their story to date, their approach to hospitality, events and collaborations, maintaining one of the country’s largest barrel programs within such a large commercial entity, their thoughts on the wider beer industry, beer tourism and more.
On the eve of a trip to New South Wales to record more podcasts, catch up with beer world mates old and new, and host an event with Wildflower and Garage Project, Will and James open the show with a look at the week on Crafty: a new Crafty Crawl via Melbourne’s new Metro Tunnel; an entertaining tenth anniversary Brew & A with Young Henrys’ head brewer; and the launch of Allday Brewing by the mates behind Forward Hops beer importers.
Start of segments: 0:00 – The Week On Crafty
14:05 – Dean & Tom Part 1
44:08 – Pint of Origin Festival 2026 Promo
45:00 – Dean & Tom Part 2
To find out more about featuring on The Crafty Pint Podcast or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact [email protected].

“I really love this industry and I love the people.”
Steve Jeffares requires no introduction for pretty much anyone working in the Australian beer world – or, for that matter, for many of the country’s beer drinkers.
Since relaunching his pub in St Kilda as The Local Taphouse back in 2008, inspired by legendary US venues like Toronado, he’s been part of the small team responsible for creating the GABS festivals and Hottest 100, as well as Stomping Ground Brewery and its multiple venues.
Last year, he struck out on his own to create a new venue with beer at its core: Huzzah opened on the former site of Deed Brewing on January 2, combining indoor beer garden, dining areas, a vast bar, pool table, darts, bocce and more.
And, while we discuss his approach to opening a hospo venue in 2026 compared to 2008 in this episode – how times have changed but how certain core principles remain the same – we also take the opportunity to pick the brains of this most experienced and creative of operators in other areas.
The chat covers the rise of vast, homogenous hospitality groups and the opportunities this opens up for smaller, indie owners, his take on the future of GABS after the 2026 festivals were cancelled, and the health of the wider craft beer industry in Australia.
Prior to welcoming Steve onto the show, we discuss James’ new position as a director of the Independent Brewers Association as well as the week’s news, including Kegstar’s fresh bid to acquire Konvoy, our new Building A Brewery series, a feature on Hawkers’ well-travelled head brewer ahead of the brewery’s 11th birthday, and the upcoming High Country Hop Technical Symposium.
Start of segments:
13:08 – Steve Jeffares Part 1
37:13 – Bowimi on Froth Distribution
42:48 – Steve Jeffares Part 2
To find out more about featuring on The Crafty Pint Podcast or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact [email protected].

“We want to pay proper homage to the ten years of people that have come and made this their home.”
When Wildflower co-founder and visionary Topher Boehm announced he was to close the Marrickville venue the brewers and blenders had called home for a decade, it didn’t just send ripples through the beer world – the story was picked up by mainstream media too.
Perhaps that’s only to be expected: in terms of impact made per litre of beer sold, there can be few operations anywhere on the planet that would come close to this magical corner of the Australian beer world.
That impact can be measured by the quality and sheer delightfulness of their many releases, the transformative nature of their Marrickville base, the team’s advocacy for other producers and growers, as well as for better ways of producing and growing, and in the generous manner in which they would share their experiences, knowledge and learnings.
As soon as we got word Wildflower was to close at the end of May – at least for now, and in its current form – there was no question we’d invite him back onto the show. So grab a glass – or bottle – of your favourite mixed-culture beer and settle in as Topher tells us what led him here, how he thinks Wildflower might evolve, and shares stories and reflections from the past decade-plus.
It’s our longest episode to date – which won’t surprise anyone who knows our guest – but we’re sure you won’t be calling stumps early.
Before we get to Topher, James and Will discuss the impending opening of a venue by an operation with similarities to Wildflower, the ongoing rise of non-alc beers, the arrival in the Crafty directory of Melbourne bars Rose Island and mates., plus the opening of entries for the 2026 Australian International Beer Awards, and the latest events and giveaways for our Crafty Cabal beer club members.
Please like, subscribe and tell your beer-loving mates if you enjoy the show too!
Start of segments: 16:18 – Topher Boehm Part 1
54:04 – The High Country Hop 2026 Preview 1
59:31 – Topher Boehm Part 2
To find out more about featuring on The Crafty Pint Podcast or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact [email protected].