Comment:

I’m pretty sure craft beer industry types aren’t going to feature prominently in the Australia Day Awards, but Brews News will certainly be lifting a glass to Australian craft beer on February 22…but also to Mr Crafty Pint, James Smith. In a few short years James has established himself as Australia’s leading – and most tireless – advocate for craft beer (outside of those who actually lift a mash paddle at 6am to make it).

James and I have had long discussions about whether craft beer is a revolution, a movement or just an armed insurgency and I still don’t know but if the revolution comes, it will be Che Smith’s bearded and bereted visage on the flags and the t-shirts…

This is yet another fantastic initiative and deserves to be well supported. Congratulations to those already getting behind the uprising!

Media Release

Rise up in celebration of local, Aussie brewed beer

Across Australia, in every state, there is a revolution sweeping the beer world. Drinkers are turning away from bland macro lagers and embracing the world of flavour.

Who do we have to thank for this revolution? The brewers who have put their livelihoods on the line to brew beers that until recently were dismissed as a fad and the bars and bottleshops that have supported them.

So let’s celebrate them. On February 22, 2014, The Crafty Pint, Australia’s online guide to craft beer, is calling on brewers, venue owners and beer lovers to unite for a national day in celebration of the beers that are changing the way we drink for the better.

Registrations are now open for anyone wishing to register an event for Craft Beer Rising. Just head to www.craftbeerrising.com.au and follow the simple instructions. Already registered are hyperlocal tap takeovers, Aussie themed games, new beer launches and more.

“The Australian beer scene has undergone a seismic change in the past few years and it’s all down to the people who had the passion and courage to do something different and challenge the status quo,” says Crafty Pint founder James Smith.

“We’re grateful for what they do day in, day out and know that growing numbers of people across the country are too. Craft Beer Rising is our way of giving something back, by encouraging beer lovers to come together and share a celebratory beer with the brewers that are driving the revolution.”

Craft Beer Rising is supported by:

• The Grain Store in Newcastle, a bar that pours 20 taps of Australian craft beer all year round
• Bintani, which supplies ingredients to the Australian brewing industry
• HPA, Australia’s leading grower of hops

Good Beer Week, the country’s largest celebration of good beer that returns to Melbourne from May 17 to 25.

Grain Store owner Corey Crooks says: ““Craft Beer Rising reinforces what we do every day of the year, which is to support what’s happening in our own backyard because we want to see it grow. Across Australia, the benchmark for quality and consistency has been well and truly raised.”

Phil Meddings, of Bintani, says: “Australia’s craft breweries are treasures to our local communities – they happily offer up beers that are innovative, exciting and made from the highest quality ingredients. As an industry, it is full of dynamic people that are passionate, professional and fun to work with. Craft Beer Rising is a fantastic initiative to bring attention to these unique businesses and we couldn’t be more happy to support it.”

Craft Beer Rising takes place at breweries and venues across Australia on February 22, 2014. To register or to find the events nearest you, visit www.craftbeerrising.com.au.

You can keep up-to-date with the latest from the Australian beer world at www.craftypint.com.