Beer Down Under

Beer Down Under Beer Down Under is a radio program on the Ale and Radio network talking about Australian Beer.

SOUTH YEAST BREWING EXPANDThere’s plenty brewing at South Yeast Brewing , with the team unveiling a brand-new taproom sp...
28/03/2026

SOUTH YEAST BREWING EXPAND

There’s plenty brewing at South Yeast Brewing , with the team unveiling a brand-new taproom space and an exciting lineup of events for the year ahead.

Nigel Ayling recently caught up with Joey Panucci at the brewery, where the transformation is already making a big impact. The expanded venue has effectively doubled in size, creating a more spacious and welcoming environment for locals and visitors alike — complete with a new bar, al fresco area, and a dedicated stage for live music.

The upgrade isn’t just about space — it’s about experience.

SouthYeast Brewing is now hosting regular live music every Saturday, alongside a series of larger monthly events made possible through recent funding. The new taproom will become a hub for entertainment, community, and, of course, great beer.

“We’ve got events every month this year, and it’s all happening in our new space,” Joey said. “There’s a lot going on, and we’re really excited to share it.”

Behind the bar, there’s more to come too. Once fully operational, the venue will feature 14 taps pouring a rotating selection of beers. Expect a core range of favourites — from New England IPAs to traditional ales — alongside new additions including lagers and even the possibility of IPLs.

Looking ahead, the team is already planning for seasonal highlights, including an Oktoberfest celebration featuring German-style lagers and live entertainment from the local town band.

As the Brewery of the Month, SouthYeast Brewing is shaping up as a must-visit destination — offering more space, more events, and more reasons than ever to stop in for a beer.

Read more: https://beerdownunder.au/southeast-brewing-expands-with-new-taproom-and-year-round-events/

Mogwai Labs Opens New Yeast Facility in Port KemblaExciting things are happening on the South Coast beer scene, with o...
27/03/2026

Mogwai Labs Opens New Yeast Facility in Port Kembla

Exciting things are happening on the South Coast beer scene, with officially up and running in their brand-new yeast production facility in Port Kembla.

During a recent visit, Beerducator Nigel Ayling caught up with Josh Allen from Mogwai Labs to talk about the expansion and what it means for brewers.

The new facility significantly increases Mogwai Labs’ production capacity, allowing them to supply more brewers with high-quality liquid yeast — a key ingredient in crafting great beer.

Unlike dried yeast, liquid yeast offers brewers access to a much wider range of strains from around the world. This means more flexibility, more creativity, and ultimately, more diverse and flavourful beers.

“Liquid yeast is fresher, and with our extensive catalogue of strains, brewers can create whatever beer their heart desires,” Josh explained.

Mogwai Labs is also now part of the South Coast Ale Trail ecosystem, joining local producers like Ryefield Hops and Voyager Craft Malt. Together, they’re helping to create a true paddock-to-pint story right here on the South Coast, with brewers increasingly using locally sourced ingredients to produce standout beers.

It’s another big step forward for the region’s brewing industry — and great news for beer lovers who want to taste the difference local ingredients can make.

Read more: https://beerdownunder.au/mogwai-labs-opens-new-yeast-facility-in-port-kembla/

New Brewing CourseIf you’ve ever thought about turning your love of beer into a career — this might be your entry point....
26/03/2026

New Brewing Course

If you’ve ever thought about turning your love of beer into a career — this might be your entry point.

Kangan Institute is offering a Certificate III in Food Processing – Brewing, giving aspiring brewers the chance to get hands-on experience in the craft.

The course covers everything from raw ingredients and brewing processes, right through to packaging, quality control, and safety — essentially the building blocks of working in a commercial brewery.

It’s part of a growing push to professionalise the industry, as more breweries look for trained staff with real technical skills — not just passion for beer.

And with the Australian craft beer scene continuing to evolve, pathways like this are becoming more important than ever.

Because great beer doesn’t just happen — it’s learned, refined, and perfected over time:

Read more: https://beerdownunder.au/new-brewing-course/

Modus Former Tenant makes a come backA cult favourite is making a comeback — and hop lovers will be very happy about it....
25/03/2026

Modus Former Tenant makes a come back

A cult favourite is making a comeback — and hop lovers will be very happy about it.

have revived their former tenant Red IPA, bringing back a beer that helped define their early reputation.

This bold, malt-driven, hop-forward Red IPA was one of the standout beers when it first hit the market — rich caramel malt balanced with punchy hop character.

And I’ll say it — this was one of the Beerducator’s favourite beers when it was released, and I’m excited to see it back on the market.

Now, it’s fair to say Modus seemed to lose their way a bit over the last few years, leaning into more mainstream styles like Cerveza and American Lagers.

But this? This could be a signal that they’re returning to the hop-forward beers that shot them to fame in the early days.

And if that’s the case — that’s great news for craft beer fans.

https://beerdownunder.au/modus-former-tenant-makes-a-come-back/

Sydney Beer Week is gearing up for its biggest program yet.Sydney Beer Week is expanding in 2026, with more events, mor...
23/03/2026

Sydney Beer Week is gearing up for its biggest program yet.

Sydney Beer Week is expanding in 2026, with more events, more venues, and more opportunities for beer lovers to get involved than ever before.

We’re talking tap takeovers, brewery showcases, guided tastings, food pairings — and plenty of chances to meet the brewers behind the beers.

It’s become one of the most important events on the Australian beer calendar, bringing together breweries, venues, and drinkers from across the country.

And there’s a strong South Coast connection too — last year the South Coast Ale Trail ran a tap takeover at Hopsters, and we’re planning to do something similar again this year.

If you’re planning a beer trip this year — this might be one worth locking into the calendar.

Read more: https://beerdownunder.au/sydney-beer-week-2026/

There’s a new frontier in Australian hops — and it’s happening right here on the South Coast.Ryefield Hops have just re...
23/03/2026

There’s a new frontier in Australian hops — and it’s happening right here on the South Coast.

Ryefield Hops have just released their first exclusive hop variety, marking a major milestone for the independent hop grower.

Based in the Bega Valley and proudly part of the South Coast Ale Trail, Ryefield are helping put our region on the map — not just for great beer, but for the ingredients that make it.

This isn’t just another hop release — it’s the result of years of development, trial, and refinement, as Australian producers continue to push beyond traditional varieties and create something uniquely local.

For brewers, this means new flavours, new aromas, and new opportunities to create beers that truly reflect Australian terroir.

And for drinkers? It means more fresh, exciting, and distinctly Aussie beers hitting taps and shelves in the near future.

The local hop scene is evolving fast — and Ryefield are right at the front of it.

Read more: https://beerdownunder.au/ryefield-hops-new-release/

A legendary Australian limited-release beer has returned.The team at Hargreaves Hill Brewing Company have released anot...
22/03/2026

A legendary Australian limited-release beer has returned.

The team at Hargreaves Hill Brewing Company have released another batch of Phoenix, their iconic Imperial Red Ale — and it’s one of the rarest beers you’ll see on the market this year.

Only 500 bottles were produced, each one a big 9.6% Imperial Red Ale designed for drinking fresh or ageing in the cellar for up to five years.

Phoenix was first released back in 2010 as a symbol of resilience after the brewery was destroyed in the Black Saturday bushfires, rising from the ashes just like its name suggests.

And for the record — rates Phoenix as one of his top five beers of all time.



https://beerdownunder.au/hargreaves-hill-phoenix-returns/

Little Creatures Fremantle ExpansionOne of Australia’s most iconic breweries is expanding its home base.The team at Litt...
20/03/2026

Little Creatures Fremantle Expansion

One of Australia’s most iconic breweries is expanding its home base.

The team at Little Creatures Brewing has opened a brand-new venue in Fremantle, right alongside its famous harbour-side brewery.

The new space is designed to build on the brewery’s reputation as one of Australia’s great beer destinations, giving visitors another place to enjoy fresh beers, food, and the lively atmosphere that made the Fremantle brewery so popular in the first place.

Since opening in 2000, Little Creatures has been a major part of Australia’s modern craft beer story, with its Pale Ale helping introduce a whole generation of drinkers to hop-forward beer.

The new venue is expected to attract both locals and tourists, reinforcing Fremantle’s reputation as one of the country’s great beer tourism destinations.



https://beerdownunder.au/little-creatures-fremantle-expansion/

Cheeky Monkey ExpansionWestern Australia’s@cheekymonkeybeer is expanding beyond its Margaret River home, announcing pla...
20/03/2026

Cheeky Monkey Expansion

Western Australia’s@cheekymonkeybeer is expanding beyond its Margaret River home, announcing plans to open a brand-new venue in Brookfield Place Perth in the heart of the city.

The new venue will bring Cheeky Monkey’s beers, cocktails and food offering into Perth’s busy CBD dining precinct — a big step for a brewery that started life as a regional brewpub in the Margaret River wine region.

Brookfield Place has become one of Perth’s major hospitality hubs, and the move places Cheeky Monkey alongside some of the city’s most popular restaurants and bars.

For the brewery, it’s an opportunity to introduce their beers to a whole new audience — especially city workers and visitors looking for a local craft option in the middle of Perth.

It’s another sign that Australian breweries are continuing to look at new ways to grow — not just through distribution, but by creating destination venues in major city centres.



https://beerdownunder.au/cheeky-monkey-expansion/

BrewDog Australia SaleOne of the biggest global craft beer stories this week has an Australian twist.Canadian beverage c...
20/03/2026

BrewDog Australia Sale

One of the biggest global craft beer stories this week has an Australian twist.

Canadian beverage company Tilray Brands has officially acquired BrewDog’s Australian operations, including the brewery in Brisbane and several bars around the country.

The deal follows Tilray’s purchase of key BrewDog assets in the UK earlier this month, as the once high-flying Scottish craft brewer went through a major restructuring.

In Australia, the acquisition includes BrewDog’s production facility in Brisbane plus venues in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth.

Tilray says the move gives them a strong base in Australia to expand their global beverage portfolio across the Asia-Pacific region.

For Aussie drinkers, the immediate impact should be minimal — BrewDog beers and venues are expected to continue operating while the new owners look to grow the brand in the region

https://beerdownunder.au/brewdog-australia-sale/

We’re excited to welcome Voyager Craft Malt as a contributor to Beer Down Under.Voyager has recorded a series of short e...
15/03/2026

We’re excited to welcome Voyager Craft Malt as a contributor to Beer Down Under.

Voyager has recorded a series of short educational segments all about malt — one of the four core ingredients of beer. These sound bites will help listeners better understand the role malt plays in flavour, colour and body in the beers we all love.

Voyager Craft Malt is based in the Riverina region of NSW and has built an incredible reputation producing premium craft malt for brewers across Australia and beyond.

A big thanks to the Voyager team for supporting beer education and helping us share more knowledge about the brewing process.

You can listen to Beer Down Under – Australia’s first radio station dedicated entirely to beer – streaming 24/7 here:

https://www.mixcloud.com/live/aleandaudio/

Or learn more at: www.beerdownunder.au

Canberra Craft Beer & Cider Festival If you’re in the nation’s capital, here’s a date for your diary — Saturday the 21s...
14/03/2026

Canberra Craft Beer & Cider Festival

If you’re in the nation’s capital, here’s a date for your diary — Saturday the 21st of March is the Canberra Beer & Cider Festival.

Running from 11am to 6pm at the Mercure Canberra in Braddon, this is one of the biggest craft drinks events in the region.

You’ll be able to try up to 250 different craft beers, ciders, spirits and wines, alongside gourmet food stalls, food trucks and plenty of live entertainment.

There will be music throughout the day, fun games, prize giveaways and even a charity raffle — so it’s much more than just a beer festival.

Events like this are a great chance to discover new breweries, meet the makers and celebrate Australia’s incredible craft drinks scene.

Tickets are on sale now.
https://beerdownunder.au/canberra-beer-cider-festival/
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