“We’re all from here, and we want to give back.”

When Ryefield Hops started producing hops commercially on land formerly used for dairy in the South Coast region, they were the first to do so in New South Wales. A decade on from launching the business, the family operation run by Jade McManus and Morgan and Karen Taylor remains the only grower in the state.

Now the third largest producer of hops in the country, admittedly with just 0.5 percent of the market, they’re standard-bearers when it comes to sustainability – in all facets of the business – and part of a small but growing band of indie suppliers working alongside the local brewing industry.

James joined them at their farm in the beautiful Bemboka Valley just as much-needed rain arrived – thankfully wrapping up the chat just as the heavens really opened. The trio took him through the genesis of the project, their first customers (Batch and Wildflower), subsequent growth, installation of a pelletiser, and plans for the future.

They addressed the challenges of being first-generation farmers, dealing with buying plants that weren’t as advertised, the steps they take to give back to the land as well as their local community, their delight at seeing Ryefield Hops introduced into core range beers, and partnering with fellow indies, such as Voyager Craft Malt and Mogwai Labs.

The discussion of the week’s news looks back at the weekend’s Hottest 100 countdown and forward to the impending launch of The Beer Championships – a new competition for the beer industry conceived by two of the country’s best-known brewers and judges.

• 13:51 – Ryefield Hops Part 1
• 36:59 – Enter the Royal Queensland Beer Awards
• 38:04 – Ryefield Hops Part 2

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

“Anything that’s happening in our area we try to be a part of.”

The Crafty Pint Podcast returns for 2026 in the company of Renn Blackman, one half of the powerhouse husband-and-wife team behind one of the sunniest and funnest breweries in the country.

The family influence at Blackman’s runs deeper than just Renn and Jess too: parents and others helped get the business up and running – quite literally when it’s come to knocking their venues into shape – and some are acknowledged in core range beer names.

They’re also big on community, sponsoring many causes and clubs, as well as partnering with events big and small throughout the Surf Coast and Geelong region. They’ve brewed beer for the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race and you can now enjoy their beers at the Cats’ stadium – a major achievement for lifelong Geelong fan Renn.

As well as discussing the ethos that’s helped Blackman’s evolve to where they are today, Renn tells us how he and Jess first met while working a snow season, about their travels both within Australia and overseas, the genesis of the brewery, their decision to operate multiple venues before such an approach started becoming commonplace, diversifying, running fun events, and the secret (or not-so-secret) to making great beer.

At the start of the show, Will and James round up the stories we’ve published so far this year: the return of a Hop Nation founder to his winemaking roots; the launch of one hospo pioneer’s new venue; a bucolic experience on Phillip Island; and a new culture club in Tassie.

If you enjoy the show, please like, subscribe, rate and review on whichever podcast platform you use.

Start of segments:

• 18:44 – Renn Blackman Part 1
• 39:36 – Enter the Royal Queensland Beer Awards
• 40:40 – Renn Blackman Part 2

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

“The whole craft beer industry is built around community.”

We wrap up The Year In Beer 2025 series with a look at what’s been going on in the Canberra region and the Northern Territory.

The episode kicks off with James and Will joined by Mat Farrington from CanBEERra for a discussion about openings and closures in and around the capital, some of the festivals large and small he’s enjoyed in 2025, the growing prevalence of terpenes in beer and more.

Sticking in Canberra, James is then joined by Paul Docherty from craft beer and pizza joint To All My Friends at the end of a year in which he and the team have created a number of collabs with some of their favourite brewers.

The final stop for the series is at Purple Mango, a brewery and café set in bushland just over an hour from Darwin on the way to Kakadu. Co-owner Adam Asanovski reflects on their ongoing expansion, use of local ingredients, and the challenge of trying to secure tap points in the Top End.

We also reveal the final winner of the year in our Bluestone Yeast Brewery of the Month campaign, with the podcast now taking a break until the second half of January. Thanks to everyone that’s watched and listened; if you’ve any feedback, we’d love to hear from you via this survey.

• 2:45 – Mat Farrington
• 20:09 – Paul Docherty
• 34:07 – Bluestone Yeast Brewery of the Month
• 37:36 – Adam Asanovski

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