“I think Seven Sheds was a bit like the Velvet Underground. It’s been said about the Velvet Underground that they didn’t sell many records, but every second person who bought a record went off and started their own band. And I think we were a bit influential… to our own detriment.”

Less than a year on from the first episode of The Crafty Pint Podcast, we’ve reached our 50th show, and mark the occasion with suitably distinguished guests.

While many who first discovered craft beer in recent years may never have encountered Seven Sheds, or indeed co-founder and head brewer Willie Simpson, those who have enjoyed their beers or read Willie’s words will be well aware of the vital role he played in bringing beer – and respect for it – to a wider audience.

A few weeks ago, Willie and partner Catherine Stark bade farewell to cellar door customers for the last time, bringing to a close 17 years of brewing and pouring at their home in Railton, all while helping build the region’s tourism infrastructure.

They joined us for a broad-ranging chat that covers Willie’s homebrewing days in Sydney and lengthy career as a freelance drinks writer, their decision to open a tiny residential brewery, meadery, hop garden and cellar door in Railton, the bureaucracy crushing small businesses, brewing beers with home-smoked peat bought from a guy called Pete, the beauty of open fermenters, the toilet tax and more.

The start of the episode sees Will and James discussing the week’s news, although once again doing so a few hours before we could confirm Rocky Ridge were the buyers of Fox Friday’s Perth outpost.

In non-Mountain Culture-related news, there was our Brew & A with Tim Howard – the head brewer at double AIBA trophy-winners Merino Brewery, a feature on the man behind the beers at Bicheno Brewing on the Tasmanian East Coast, and a heads-up for three upcoming Crafty Pint events at BentSpoke, KAIJU! and Slipstream, each with discounts for our beer club members.

We reveal the identity of the latest “good beer citizen” in our Have You Done A Rallings? campaign and, given we’ve racked up 50 episodes, we’re also keen for feedback from listeners / viewers and have launched a survey so you can tell us what you think of the show.

Start of segments:

• 10:41 – Willie & Catherine Part 1
• 36:19 – Have You Done A Rallings?
• 38:32 – Willie & Catherine Part 2

To find out more about featuring on The Crafty Pint Podcast or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact craig@craftypint.com.

"We've done some really hop-forward, Brettanomyces-fermented beers which have been really neat with Vic Secret too, just the way that the Brett biotransforms some of the compounds in Vic Secret is pretty cool."

In partnership with HPA, Australia's leading hop grower, we've created a series of podcast episodes – an Aussie Hop Series – looking closely at some of the country's most recognised and impactful hop varieties.

Over the course of the series, we've spoken to leading brewers from across Australia and abroad, as well as experts from HPA, discussing their experience with these hops, what they've learned along the way, as well as some technical tips and tricks to maximise the impact of these hops in their beers.

We wrap up the series in the company of Zach Nichols, owner and brewer at Cellar West in Colorado, and Chris Swersey from HPA. The hop in question is Vic Secret, known for its pine and pineapple qualities.

Zach and Chris talk to host Craig Williams about how and where the hop works best, the hugely diverse range of beers in which Vic Secret is used by Cellar West, how Chris first came across the variety, how the "oil monster" evolved over the years, and more.

For more information on HPA and their range of hops, visit hops.com.au.

To find out more about featuring on The Crafty Pint Podcast or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact craig@craftypint.com.

“I think we’re just as surprised as anyone, really. We’ve been blown away by the awards.”

Since settling into their Bathurst brewpub in 2022, Reckless Brewing have been on quite the tear when it comes to beer awards. They’ve picked up three trophies for three different beers in three straight years at the Australian International Beer Awards while securing trophies at other beer competitions too.

Two of the brewery’s founders – Grace Fowler and Jarrod Moore – joined Will and James from their brewery venue to share their thoughts on trophy success, how they’ve built a community and loyal team in regional NSW, and their ambitions to become a national brand even as the landscape becomes more challenging and many others breweries are downsizing.

We also dive into their history, including Grace’s experience brewing at Ikon and Akasha, how the couple met, their friendship with fellow founder, Alice Wilson, why the trio launched Reckless in 2019, life-changing IPAs, and how luck – or maybe good timing – has played a key role in their rise.

Before the interview, James and Will discuss the Carwyn family’s recent re-acquisition of Carwyn Cellars, the familiar names back winning more trophies at the Perth Royal Beer Awards, and our latest Beer By Design story which focuses on the role of graphic designers. Midway through, you'll also encounter the first in a mini-series of segments featuring Beer30.

As ever, don’t forget to like and subscribe the show – you can rate and review it too if you like – and keep the entries coming for Bluestone Yeast’s Brewery of the Month and our celebration of good beer citizens, Have You Done A Rallings?

Start of Segments:

• 11:35 – Reckless Brewing Part 1
• 34:15 – Beer30 on COGS
• 42:21 – Reckless Brewing Part 2

Relevant links:

• Reckless Brewing
• Carwyns Buy Carwyn
• Beer By Design: The Graphic Designers
• Perth Royal Beer Awards
• Beer30
• Nominate a Brewery of the Month
• Nominate a good beer citizen
• Cryer Malt

To find out more about featuring on The Crafty Pint Podcast or otherwise partnering with The Crafty Pint, contact craig@craftypint.com.