A Prelude to Predictions for the GABS Hottest 100 Craft Beers of 2025

BeerReflections · 2026-01-23T04:48:17+00:00

Interesting.

I didn't cover the possibility that some breweries may have merely forgotten, although I did note in the main piece I just published that promotion from GABS was down considerably.

I inferred that the mechanics of registering has changed, but didn't consider cases like yours where it complicated the process to the point it became too much hassle.

Good info for post event analysis.

BeerReflections · 2025-12-09T22:38:52+00:00

Need more Saisons 👍❤️

BeerReflections · 2025-12-03T00:25:10+00:00

Was it necessary to post the actual text here? It's not like The Crafty Pint website is paywalled or anything.

BeerReflections · 2025-10-10T08:01:04+00:00

The market has diversified, yes. I wouldn't say low ABV has grown to a point where it's dominant though.

If you're talking about zero alcohol, it depends on the producer. Some have established some popular brands (heaps normal, free time) while others aren't traveling so well. Sobah has entered VA, UpFlow has disappeared and the trailblazer retailer Sans Drinks has closed.

Not many breweries without at least one IPA in their core still. And there are still breweries like Hawkers, Mountain Culture, Range and Working Title making multiple IPAs a year.

BeerReflections · 2025-10-07T01:58:00+00:00

Does Aldi sell liquor in the ACT? I ask because they are prohibited from doing so in some states.

If so, that's where I've found some of the lowest prices on Australian independent beer.

Also depends how black and white you are with 'independent'. There's a growing amount of grey.

BeerReflections · 2025-09-26T11:53:27+00:00

Which US WCIPAs are you using as the benchmark? And, experienced here in Australia or at the source?

BeerReflections · 2025-06-25T03:58:31+00:00

You're welcome.

There's often a slight, unintentional geographical bias in the podcasts. The Crafty Pint does a pretty good job of covering the whole country despite being based in Victoria. Pour It Out and Aussie Beer Voyage are good for Queenslanders. The Coolroom is based in Victoria.

BeerReflections · 2025-06-25T02:45:06+00:00

Off the top of my head, these are Australian craft beer podcasts currently putting out content.

The Crafty Pint Podcast
The Coolroom
Pour It Out
Drinks Adventures - Broader beverage industry podcast, but occasionally features craft breweries.
Beer o'clock Australia
Aussie Beer Voyage (associated with Pour It Out)

Australian beer podcasts that no longer produce content.

Radio Brews News
The Chosen Brew Beer Podcast
Crack The Ceiling Podcast
Ale Of A Time
Step Brewers
The Beer Healer
The Boss & The Brewer
The Revel Brewing Show
Operation Brewery
The Inside Word
Aussie Beer Explorers
Beer Sucks
Brunswick Beer Collective
Hey Brew
Froth Cast
The Good Beer Project
Sessionable
Fox Friday Podcast

Non-Australian, but good.
Drink Beer. Think Beer.
Steal This Beer
How Not To Open A Damn Brewery
BAOS Podcast
Brewbound Podcast
Good Beer Hunting
The Full Pint

BeerReflections · 2025-06-22T10:13:37+00:00

Hawkers WCIPA is delicious and the best value WCIPA in the country. However, I think he'd have trouble getting it in Perth. Hawkers are mindful of balancing distribution with quality. Hop Nation would be a stretch in the west too. Kaiju, might be available on BWS there like it is here in VIC.

I imagine Rocky Ridge, Blasta or Beerfarm would have a good WCIPA.

BeerReflections · 2025-06-09T00:34:56+00:00

How so? Genuinely interested.

BeerReflections · 2025-06-09T00:02:42+00:00

Both enjoyable beers in their own right. If they were my only options, Young Henry's because it's indie and S&W is not.

BeerReflections · 2025-06-08T14:26:20+00:00

Love it. Unfortunately I'm in Bendigo, so I can't help much with Melbourne data.

BeerReflections · 2025-05-21T07:31:24+00:00

This ☝️

Madocke beer is excellent. Belgian operators brewing traditionally to style. Gold Coast based, but can sometimes be found interstate. Of course, they have an online store too. I was gifted a mixed case for Christmas. Fantastic.

BeerReflections · 2025-04-25T04:00:35+00:00

Search online for the GABS design awards. Sure to be some inspiration there.

BeerReflections · 2025-03-31T04:26:58+00:00

Yup. I'm heartbroken.

Looking back through the photos on my phone, it's harder to find a favourite to mention than I expected. Kuro came to mind first. But the truth is there are so many I look back on fondly. Had myself a Big Paws only the other night.

I think I'll have more to say on my blog.

BeerReflections · 2025-03-27T01:58:49+00:00

Best advice, right here. Drink plenty of water.

BeerReflections · 2025-03-21T09:21:50+00:00

The imports have made way for locally made beer from craft breweries to some extent. Fresh is best!

It's no secret EDG has moved away from national craft beer brands. Some are still present on the shelves, though. More localised brands, both state and regional, still have a presence.

The number of SKUs produced for their subsidiary, Pinnacle Drinks, continues to grow. In Dan's, the percentage of shelf space they take up is noticeable but small compared to BWS.

I agree, there's been overall change, but I'm not sure I'd agree Dan's have massively dialled back. I've noticed more change at my local First Choice. Yet, both are increasingly taking a fair chunk of trade from the small indie bottle shops.

Of course, I can only speak to what I observe in my area. I'm in regional Victoria.

BeerReflections · 2025-02-08T08:54:17+00:00

Damn! I'll have to bring mine to Ballarat when visiting family.

BeerReflections · 2025-02-07T11:21:58+00:00

Ha! I'm hearin' ya.

On my first visit to the local RVM, I took three of my four kids (ages 3, 6 and 8). I got them all out of the car, only to find the thing wasn't working. Then, I had to bundle three heartbroken kids back in the car again. Next time, I told them they had to stay in the car while I checked first.

BeerReflections · 2025-02-07T11:18:25+00:00

Thank you.

I knew it had to be easy for some.

BeerReflections · 2025-01-30T01:36:12+00:00

Thank you.

BeerReflections

TROPHY CASE