Drinks Adventures - Wine, beer, whisky, gin & more with James Atkinson
Wine, Beer & Whisky Network Australia
Wine lover? Craft beer fan? Drink whisky, bourbon, cognac or rum? Or maybe it's gin or vodka or mezcal you're into? Based in Australia, but globally minded, Drinks Adventures covers all these drinks and more: Japanese sake, cider, tequila, champagne, cocktails... we could go on! Listen in as award-winning drinks writer James Atkinson interviews the world's biggest names in craft brewing, winemaking, distilling and mixology, along with sommeliers, mixologists, sake samurais, masters of wine and certified cicerones.Tags: wine, beer, brewing, gin, whisky, whiskey. bourbon, cognac, rum, tequila, mezcal, champagne, cocktails, cider, Japanese sake
Veteran winemaker Chris Hatcher on going solo
We last spoke with Chris Hatcher in May 2021, at which time he was still chief winemaker of the legendary Wolf Blass brand.Chris has since retired from Wolf Blass, but it’s not retirement as you or I would know it, because Chris has thrown himself into his own venture, Hatch Wines, which is what we’ll be discussing today.Chris has relished the opportunity to build his small, family-run brand from scratch. And unlike his corporate winemaking days, he is hands on at every stage of the process, fro
Woodford Reserve bourbon master distiller, Elizabeth McCall
We're joined this episode by Elizabeth McCall, master distiller of Woodford Reserve in Kentucky.Elizabeth was not really a whiskey enthusiast when she first joined parent company Brown-Forman in 2009 as a member of the research and development department.But she soon developed a taste for it, becoming a master taster in 2015, before being effectively anointed as successor to the legendary Chris Morris when she was appointed assistant master distiller in 2018.When Elizabeth took the reigns in ear
Gun duo launch First Light Brewing, Wollongong NSW
Haydon Morgan and Damien Ryan are the founders of First Light Brewing Co, a start-up in Wollongong, NSW.You may recall Haydon’s voice from the special documentary episode we did on Australian brewing legend Chuck Hahn a few years ago now.Haydon and Damien are both longstanding residents of the Illawarra region and they met each other while working at Lion, where they realised they had complementary skillsets for setting up a brewery of their own.Haydon finished up with Lion in 2023 as brewery ma
Tin Shed Distilling hoists its flag in the Adelaide Hills
In this episode we meet Ian Schmidt and Vic Orlow, founders of South Australia’s Tin Shed Distilling, the company behind Iniquity Whisky and other brands.The original tin shed was in Adelaide’s inner west, adjacent to Ian’s other business manufacturing flagpoles, of all things.Ian has since exited the flagpole game to focus on whisky, and he and Vic have relocated their distillery to a different tin shed in the Adelaide Hills.There, they will soon be able to open their doors to the publ
Queensland Rum Day with Bundy and Nil Desperandum
In this episode we meet two of the founders of Queensland Rum Day, Matt Hobson of Cavu Distilling and Nil Desperandum Rum, and Duncan Littler of Bundaberg Rum.The second ever Queensland Rum Day is coming up this Saturday 2 November 2024, and this year brings with it a special collaborative rum showcasing liquid from four distilleries, two of which I’ve already mentioned – the others being Beenleigh and Kalki Moon.They’re calling themselves The Rum Consortium, and there are just 1920 bot
Meet the mavericks tackling wine's generational problem
This is a special episode of the show looking at the future of Australian wine, produced in partnership with Endeavour Drinks.First up, we meet Endeavour’s head of fine wine, Andrew Shedden, who sets out the challenges that the category is currently facing.In short, those of us who love wine are getting older, and we’re not buying as much as we did in the past.And younger consumers are choosing to drink beverages other than wine, which is facing tougher than ever competition from beer,
Seven Seasons Spirits back in family hands
We welcome back to the show Daniel Motlop of Seven Seasons Spirits, who we previously met back in May 2021.Coming up, Daniel reveals that Seven Seasons has returned to majority family ownership following the demise of his former business partner and distributor, Mighty Craft.Mighty Craft backer Pure Asset Management has emerged as Daniel’s new business partner and together they have big ambitions for the brand that has showed so much promise with its innovative products showcasing Austr
Diplomatico's super premium rums, with master distiller Nelson Hernandez
Nelson Hernandez is master distiller at Venezuela’s Diplomatico Rum, where he has worked for an incredible 38 years.After studying mechanical engineering, Nelson initially worked in the oil industry before taking a job in 1986 as Maintenance and Project Manager at the Diplomatico distillery.Working alongside rum master Tito Cordero, Nelson learnt the craft of rum production the Diplomatico way, which means applying the highest quality standards at every step of the rum-making process fr
Soda company StrangeLove's unlikely origin story
We're joined this episode by James Bruce, who together with school friend Stafford Fox founded StrangeLove Beverage Co in Byron Bay, Australia, in 2012.StrangeLove is an unlikely story of entrepreneurialism that began with a single product –StrangeLove Organic Ginger Beer Energy Elixir – ‘a ginger beer so hot it was almost undrinkable’ that also contained functional ingredients like green tea and yerba mate.Over an at times tumultuous decade in which James and Stafford were continually running o
McLaren Vale's Chapel Hill Winery celebrates its 50th vintage
Michael Fragos is chief winemaker and general manager at McLaren Vale winery Chapel Hill, which this year celebrated its 50th vintage.Michael has been with the company for the last 21 of those vintages. So, in this special episode of Drinks Adventures – produced in partnership with Chapel Hill – he shares his insights on the winery’s evolution and the attention to detail that defines its winemaking process.This meticulous approach has this year inspired the release of a new flagship wine, The De
Australian spirits targets $1 billion export opportunity
This is a special episode of the show reporting on Australian spirits’ ambitions of becoming a $1 billion export industry by 2035.We all know the quality is there, and that $1 billion objective is what economics firm Mandala Partners believes is achievable if the Federal Government gets behind the Australian spirits industry, just as it has done for wine over several decades now.The spirits industry tabled its ambitions in the Federal Inquiry into Food and Beverage Manufacturing in Aust
Keg thieves meet their match with Konvoy
We're joined this episode by Wade Rushton-Clarke, chief executive officer, Australia and New Zealand at keg rental company Konvoy Kegs.The issue of lost and stolen kegs has long plagued brewers in Australia. But you may have seen earlier this year, a spike in instances of large-scale keg theft by opportunists who were then flogging the empty kegs off as scrap metal.This unscrupulous practice is very financially damaging for brewers who have a lot of money tied up in kegs, which they mus
From beer to seaweed: Mountain Goat founder Cam Hines
We're joined this episode by Cam Hines, co-founder of pioneering Australian craft brewer Mountain Goat.Cam exited the beer industry after the sale of Mountain Goat in 2015 to Asahi, which was one of the first in a series of craft beer acquisitions by the major brewers over the last decade.I was pretty intrigued when I learned that Cam had returned to entrepreneurship as founder of Southern Seagreens, a business farming seaweed on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.So, as we take a little bit of a t
Kristy Lark-Booth's eclectic Tasmanian spirits
We’re joined this episode by Kristy Lark-Booth, founder of Killara Distillery in Tasmania.Kristy is a second-generation distiller, following in the footsteps of her parents Bill and Lyn Lark, who of course pioneered the modern Australian craft spirits industry when they opened Lark Distillery in 1992.Kristy founded Killara Distillery in 2016 and is now making an eclectic line-up of quality spirits at a 26-acre property in the Coal River Valley.She’s established her own gin garden where she is gr
Mumm Terroirs sparkling wine with chief winemaker Trina Smith
We’re joined this episode by Trina Smith, chief winemaker of white wine and sparkling wine for Pernod Ricard Winemakers.Sparkling is one of the top performing wine styles in Australia, with current economic conditions driving many of us to choose more affordable wine alternatives to champagne.This scenario has been a boon for Mumm Terroirs, the range of sparkling wines produced in collaboration with the renowned champagne house G.H.Mumm.Comprising cuvees from Tasmania here in Australia,
Black Hops Brewing rebooted: New CEO speaks
Veteran drinks industry executive Nick Boots returns to the Drinks Adventures podcast, having just taken on a new challenge as CEO of Gold Coast, Queensland-based brewery Black Hops Brewing.This follows a 12-month stint consulting with craft breweries in Australia and New Zealand under the company name The Business Of Beer, prior to which he was general manager of Stone & Wood Brewing Company.Nick took the reigns at Black Hops shortly after the company emerged from voluntary adminis
Danish whisky pioneer Stauning is going global
In this opening episode of Season 19 we meet Alex Munch, co-founder of Denmark’s Stauning Whisky.Stauning was founded in 2005 by nine friends with diverse career backgrounds, none of them related to the drinks industry.But what they didn’t know ultimately took them down a path of craft whisky production that was quite distinctive and on trend; showcasing locally grown barley and rye that they floor malt in-house at the distillery.Coming up, Alex explains how the endorsement of Denmark’s famed No
Tasmanian whisky stalwart Hellyers Road crowfunds new chapter
In this episode we meet Derek Charge, who is CEO of Hellyers Road Distillery in Tasmania.
Hellyers Road was founded in 1997 by a group of dairy farmers who decided to diversify their business into the production of whisky.
At the time of this episode going to air, the company is in the final stages of an equity crowdfunding campaign that has already generated almost $3.5 million worth of investment.
I've never known much about Hellyers Road beyond what I've heard anecdotally from people.
So, thi
World champion gluten-free beer: Two Bays Brewing
In this episode, we meet Richard Jeffares, founder of the gluten-free brewery Two Bays, which recently won a gold medal for its Session Ale at the World Beer Cup.The World Beer Cup is often referred to as ‘The Olympics Of Beer’. It's held in America every two years and unlike most of the other drinks competitions around, there is only one gold, silver and bronze medal awarded in each beer category.It's frightfully difficult to win a medal, especially for breweries on the other side of t
A whisky nerd turns pro: Rod Berry of Amber Lane Distillery
We're joined this episode by Rod Berry of Amber Lane, a whisky distillery based in the Yarramalong Valley, north of Sydney.Rod’s longstanding enthusiasm for whisky gradually evolved into an obsession while working in his previous career as a lawyer.Ultimately, Rod joined forces with friend and fellow whisky enthusiast Phil Townsend to set up the Amber Lane distillery on Phil’s property in the Central Coast hinterland.Since leaving the legal pro behind, Rod has been fine-tuning his craft
Chef Michael Ryan's spirits venture, Beechworth Bitters
In this episode we return to Beechworth in High Country Victoria, after having Ben Kraus from Bridge Road Brewers on the show last year.
This time we’re joined by chef Michael Ryan from the highly acclaimed Beechworth restaurant, Provenance, to discuss Beechworth Bitters Company, his side project dedicated to amaro and cocktail bitters.
A few years ago I brought you an episode about Italian amari, produced in partnership with The Italian Cultural Institute.
This episode puts an Australian angle
F1 star Valtteri Bottas and Corrina Wright of Ihana Wine
Ihana Wine is a boutique wine brand launched by Finnish Formula One driver Valtteri Bottas in partnership with sixth generation McLaren Vale wine company Oliver’s Taranga.
A ten-time race winner currently driving for the Kick Sauber F1 team, Valtteri shares with us his longstanding passion for wine, and specifically South Australian shiraz, which has been crystallised through his relationship with South Australian Tiffany Cromwell, the professional cyclist.
Listen in as Valtteri opens up about t
Chuck Hahn returns with Chuck & Son's Brewing Co
We're joined this episode by the founders of Sydney’s newest craft brewery, Chuck & Son’s Brewing Company.And yes, we’re talking about Chuck Hahn, who is sensationally making a return to the brewing industry in partnership with his son Scott.Chuck notched up 50 years in the brewing industry in 2021, which we celebrated on this podcast with this special documentary episode.I naively thought that would be a footnote to his incredible brewing career. But it turns out Chuck has unfinish
Stupendous Savagnin with Crittenden Wines
Rollo Crittenden is general manager, winemaker and vineyard manager of Crittenden Wines in Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula region.
Mornington Peninsula is synonymous with premium quality pinot noir and chardonnay, and Crittenden certainly excels at making wine from those varieties.
But when it comes to differentiating the winery from its peers, Rollo has an ace up his sleeve.
Since 2011, Crittenden has been making a rare Australian example of the white wines made from savagnin grapes that are un
Distillers toast 20 years at April conference
The Australian Distillers Association is the peak body for the 700 craft distillers that are now spread across the country, up from just 40 a decade ago.
I work pretty closely with the ADA and its chief executive Paul McLeay in my day job as media & communications manager of Spirits & Cocktails Australia.
In this bonus episode, Paul and I catch up for a quick chat about the ADA Conference coming up in Brisbane on April 28 to 30, 2024, which is the association’s 20th anniversary year.
I know quit
How craft beer turmoil is impacting supplier Bintani
Last year I reported on the worrying spate of insolvencies in the drinks industry, particularly among craft brewers.
And things have gotten even worse so far in 2024. Dave Padden of Sydney’s Akasha Brewing was pretty open with us last year on the show about the difficulties his business was confronting.
Sadly, Akasha last week became the latest brewery to enter voluntary administration.
In this episode I’m joined by Dale Meddings, joint CEO of Bintani, Australia’s leading supplier of ingredients
Tarac unveils debut whiskies made for blending
Back in early 2023 we met Jeremy Blanks and Greg Jackson of Tarac, the largest distiller of grape spirit in Australia, which is diversifying into the contract production of whisky.
Twelve months on, Jeremy and Greg return to the show having recently had their first trial whiskies come of age.
I’ve had a chance to taste these whiskies that have been column distilled from malted barley, and was really impressed with them.
Don’t take my word for it though, if you’re a distiller and heading to the A
Andrew Caillard MW on his wine opus, The Australian Ark
We’re joined again this episode by Andrew Caillard MW, one of Australia’s leading authorities on wine.Andrew was last on the show in November 2020 discussing the debut of two Australian wines on the prestigious international wine marketplace, La Place de Bordeaux.This time Andrew joins us to discuss his magnum opus, The Australian Ark, the most extensive history of the Australian wine industry ever written.First up, Andrew and I discuss the challenges involved with getting a book of thi
My whisky ethos: Lark Distilling CEO Satya Sharma
Satya Sharma is the new CEO of Australia’s pioneering whisky company, Lark Distilling.
Sash – as he prefers to be called – has only been on deck since May 2023.
But already, he has put his stamp on the Lark business.
The frenzy of special releases has been dialled back in favour of a clearly defined core range.
Export deals have been announced for several markets in South East Asia.
700ml bottles are on the cards, and as you just heard, the business has committed to greater transparency about th
Sparkling shiraz, Australia’s own wine style
Victorian winery Seppelt today is probably best known for its exquisite table wines.
I’m talking about St Peters Shiraz from its home region of the Grampians, and chardonnay, riesling and pinot noir from the esteemed Drumborg Vineyard in the cooler climes of Henty.
Perhaps lesser known to some of us is Seppelt’s rich heritage in sparkling wines.
In 2022, the company highlighted that pedigree with two new cuvees named in honour of Charles Pierlot, the Frenchman who in 1890 made Australia’s first
Champion cider maker Tim Jones turns hand to vinegar
Dr Tim Jones is undoubtedly one of Australia’s top cider makers. After starting his drinks production career making industrial cider in Cascade Brewery, Tim joined Willie Smith’s as head cider maker in 2014.
He stayed in that role until 2020 and during that period of almost six years, Willie Smith’s won a stack of trophies for its ciders showcasing the complexity offered by heirloom English and French cider apple varieties.
Tim’s new venture is Wild Mother Tasmania, a vinegar company that like W
Drinks trends with Lion innovation director, Chris Moschos
Five years ago when I started this podcast I never thought I’d see small craft brewers making products like hard seltzers, low carb and non-alcoholic beers, or “cervezas” that to me look very much like the macro lagers they originally railed against.
But these are interesting and challenging times in the drinks industry. All producers are currently grappling with a plethora of economic headwinds and the need to cater for increasingly health conscious consumers.
Chris Moschos, who is innovation d
Foraging botanicals with Darwin Distilling
Darwin Distilling Co is a Northern Territory distillery founded by our guest this episode of the podcast, hospitality entrepreneur Rebecca Bullen.Originally from Victoria, Bec was lured to Darwin by the opportunity to open the city’s first wine bar, Stone House, which launched in 2016 and is still going strong today.She subsequently opened the gin bar and restaurant Charlie’s of Darwin in January 2020, with the distillery as its centrepiece.Carefully avoiding encounters with snakes and
Dr Rachel Barrie, legendary Scotch whisky master blender
With more than 30 years’ experience in the whisky industry, Dr Rachel Barrie was the first female Scotch whisky Master Blender inducted into Whisky Magazine’s illustrious ‘Hall of Fame’.Also known as the 'First Lady of Scotch', Rachel studied chemistry before landing a job as research scientist at the Scotch Whisky Research Institute.She then moved into production at The Glenmorangie Company, becoming Master Blender in 2003.During that time Rachel also managed the stocks for the Scotch
Rise of Grenache, with Jimmy Watson winner Hentley Farm
Established in 1884, the Melbourne Royal Wine Awards annually attracts around 2,500 entries from over 400 wineries from across the country.
The Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy is the pinnacle of the competition. It’s awarded to the best one or two year old red wine as blind tasted by the judges.
Last year, the winner was the 2021 Old Legend Grenache from Hentley Farm in the Barossa Valley.
It was another milestone in the ascendancy of Australian grenache, which is something I’ve discussed recently
Classifying Australia’s top wines, with Huon Hooke
Renowned wine writer Huon Hooke previously appeared on the Drinks Adventures podcast way back in Season One, in an episode exploring Australians’ love affair with champagne.He’s finally back for this full-length chat about The Real Review Wine Classification, which launched in 2022 aiming to highlight the greatest wines of Australia and New Zealand that have an outstanding track record of a decade or longer.Huon and I discuss the fresh approach he’s taken to classifying wine versus othe
Professor John Rasko AO, founder Two Doctors Whiskey
Two Doctors is a whiskey company founded, as the name suggests, by Two Doctors; surgeon Jerry Schwartz and Professor John Rasko AO, a clinical hematologist, pathologist and scientist.Professor Rasko is with us this episode to discuss his epic side hustle, which utilises the brewing equipment at Sydney Brewery’s production facility in the Hunter Valley, NSW.The brewery and distillery are based at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley, one of several hotels owned by Jerry’s other business, Schwartz
Top Shelf chasing profit; Brookie’s Excise Strength Gin; Oliver’s Taranga wine & Small Acres Cyder
In this edition of the news on Drinks Adventures:
Top Shelf declares pathway to profitability;
Cape Byron campaigns for tax relief with Excise Strength Gin;
Business booming at McLaren Vale winery, Oliver’s Taranga; and
New lease on life for Orange, NSW cider maker Small Acres.
Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
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Waubs Harbour Maritime Tasmanian Whisky, with Tim & Bec Polmear
Few Australian distillery launches in 2023 have been greeted with the excitement surrounding Waubs Harbour in Bicheno, Tasmania.It’s easy to see why. The distillery’s striking location in a former oyster hatchery on the rugged Tassie coast promises a true maritime expression of Australian single malt whisky.The founders bring with them some pretty impressive pedigree in both distilling and business generally.Head distiller Rob Polmear was previously head of production at Lark Distillery
Australia’s wine grape revolution, with Max Allen
Renowned drinks writer Max Allen returns to the Drinks Adventures podcast this episode, three years on from our interview launching his last book, Intoxicating: Ten Drinks That Shaped Australia.
Max’s new book that we’ll be discussing today is called Alternative Reality: How Australian Wine Changed Course.
It explores the Australian wine industry’s rapid embrace of non-mainstream grape varieties over the last two decades, which can all be traced back to 2001 in Mildura, north east Victoria, wher
The Beer Drinker's Toolkit with Mick Wust; Chris Malcolm slams Mighty Craft failures & Morris Tokay Barrel Whisky
In this edition of the news on Drinks Adventures:
Chris Malcolm slams Mighty Craft failures;
Morris releases Tokay Barrel Whisky; and
Introducing The Beer Drinker’s Toolkit, a new book by Mick Wust.
And, on a personal note, announcing my new industry role as media & communications manager at Spirits & Cocktails Australia.
This is the final episode of Season 16. I'm taking a short break to catch up on back of house stuff, so we can start anew in a few weeks’ time.
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Burch family toasts 30 years at Howard Park Wines
Western Australia’s Howard Park Wines featured on this podcast very early on when I interviewed then chef winemaker Janice McDonald, in October 2018.Janice has since moved on to focus on the Margaret River wine company she founded with partner Stuart Pym, Flowstone Wines, which we explored on Drinks Adventures in early 2023.In this episode we welcome Howard Park’s current chief winemaker Nic Bowen to the show, together with Natalie Burch, general manager and marketing director.Nic joine
New Zealand’s whisky renaissance, with Greg Ramsay
Whisky production disappeared from New Zealand in 1997 with the closure of the Willowbank Distillery in Dunedin.
But in 2009 Tasmanian entrepreneur Greg Ramsay brought together a group of investors to purchase Willowbank’s remaining stocks and re-launch New Zealand whisky to the world.
Greg joins us this episode as we explore some of New Zealand’s little-known whisky-making heritage, and the whisky renaissance that’s now underway.
His company, dubbed The New Zealand Whisky Collection, is current
Reshaping Australian rum, with Brix Rum’s James Christopher
James Christopher of Sydney’s Brix Rum is with us again this episode, following his previous appearance back in Season Two.
It was very early days for Brix when we last spoke in 2018, at which time the company was relying on imported spirit for the dark rums in its range.
Brix has now come to market with a new core range of rums fully produced here in Australia, which have superseded the imported product, in beautiful packaging designed by podcast sponsor, Co-Partnership.
It seemed a pivotal tim
Bridge Road Brewers at 18, with founder Ben Kraus
Founded in 2005 in Beechworth, north east Victoria, Bridge Road Brewers is currently celebrating its 18th birthday.
This is a significant milestone for any business, let alone a craft brewer. And it’s particularly momentous for Bridge Road, which is currently poised to open a brewpub venue in East Brunswick, Melbourne, following a successful $1.5 million crowdfunding campaign in 2022.
Founder Ben Kraus is with us this episode for a really interesting discussion about the challenges of remaining
How to Drink Australian (wine), with sommelier Jane Lopes
How to drink Australian is a landmark wine book by American sommeliers Jane Lopes and Jonathan Ross.
Jane and Jonathan have intimate knowledge of the wine scene in Australia, having both worked professionally here; Jane as wine director at renowned Melbourne restaurant Attica, and Jonathan as beverage director at Rockpool Dining Group.
Jane and Jonathan were so blown away by the wines they experienced during their time here that upon returning to the US in 2020 they founded Legend, a wine import
Judging craft spirits with Seb Costello
When Seb Costello opened the cocktail bar Bad Frankie in Melbourne in 2014, he did something that was almost unthinkable at the time; creating a drinks menu comprised completely of Australian craft spirits.Seb understandably became known as a champion of Australian distilling. This, coupled with his sensory skills and broad appreciation for different spirits categories, saw him appointed chief judge of the Australian Distilled Spirits Awards in 2020.At the time of this episode going to
Cognac recon and Australian Distillers news with Holly Klintworth
We previously met Holly Klintworth on the Drinks Adventures podcast back in March 2021.So if you’re keen to get the back story on Holly’s distillery, Bass & Flinders, head on back to that episode in Season 8.Holly’s back with us having recently returned from a six-week internship in Cognac, supported by a Churchill Fellowship.The trip had the objective of learning the art of brandy production from leading cognac producers, so that she could share her findings with the Australian ind
Stone & Wood Cloudy Pale Ale, Hinterland Hazy & more, with Caolan Vaughan
We’re joined this episode by Stone & Wood head brewer Caolan Vaughan, to get an update on recent goings on at the company.And as always, there’s plenty happening. Like the rebranding and reformulation of Cloud Catcher, now known as Cloudy Pale Ale; and the launch of its new Australian Hop Series, starting with the Hinterland Hazy.We get the latest on the Counter Culture label, reserved for left field and inventive beers.And I ask Caolan what happened to Forest for the Trees, the sai
Protecting the Tasmanian whisky brand, with TWSA president Cam Brett
Tasmania is the birthplace of Australian whisky in the modern era, with unique positioning as the country’s only island state.
For some time now its distillers have entertained the idea of protecting these attributes with a geographical indication or appellation ensuring that products labelled ‘Tasmanian whisky’ meet certain standards.
Recently on the Drinks Adventures podcast we met Cam and Suzy Brett of Spring Bay Distillery in Tasmania.
Cam is also president of the Tasmanian Whisky and Spiri
Langtons auction highlights; Lark Distilling CEO speaks; Gospel Legacy Rye; & more
Welcome to another edition of the news on Drinks Adventures. Coming up this bulletin:
Langtons Barossa wine auction nets $200K;
Lark investors meet new CEO Satya Sharma;
The Gospel unveils a tribute to Maryland-style rye whiskeys; and
South Australian Parliament honours distillers on World Gin Day.
Click here to open episode in your podcast player.
Tasmanian whisky, gin and vodka with Cam & Suzy Brett of Spring Bay Distillery
Established in 2015 at Spring Beach in Tasmania, Spring Bay Distillery is the realisation of a dream for whisky-loving owners Cam and Suzy Brett.
We’ve actually heard from Cam a couple of times previously on this podcast; in one of my news bulletins back in 2021, and in the special Lark 30th anniversary episode in 2022.
So it’s long overdue I invited Cam and Suzy on for an in-depth chat about Spring Bay.
While it’s definitely single malt whisky that inspired their distillery, Spring Bay has also
Tulchan Gin, the new spirit of Speyside
Speyside is the absolute epicentre of Scotland’s distilling industry, and now there’s a Speyside gin to complement the region’s famed whiskies.
Created by wine and spirits company Stoli Group, Tulchan Gin is a small batch gin with distinctly local flavours inspired by the terroir of Tulchan Estate.
Surrounded by 22,000 picturesque acres of lochs and glens, Tulchan is a famous sporting estate in Speyside long frequented by European royalty, US Presidents and titans of industry.
This is a special
Chandon Etoile redefines luxury sparkling wine
Chandon Etoile is a new ultra-prestige sparkling cuvee from Chandon Australia in Victoria’s Yarra Valley.
It’s a multi-vintage blend comprised of eight Chandon Vintage Brut reserves – which together represent hundreds of base wines – rounded out with extended ageing.
With us this episode to discuss the groundbreaking project is Chandon Australia winemaking director Dan Buckle, who has been guiding the company’s traditional-method winemaking since 2012.
Through our conversation about Etoile, Dan
Allan Border talks wine and Ashes predictions
Allan Border’s Maiden Tonne is a limited edition shiraz released by the legendary cricketer in partnership with Sanguine Estate, the Heathcote, Victoria winery owned by the Hunter family.Allan is with us this episode along with Sanguine winemaker Mark Hunter. I’ll leave it to them to share the back story of this wine, which Mark hopes will elevate Heathcote’s reputation as a region synonymous with premium shiraz. Also in the interview, Allan reflects on his maiden tonne in cricket. I as
Mark Bouris on whisky and the economy
The Bird is a new single malt Australian whisky created by renowned entrepreneur and media personality Mark Bouris in collaboration with Andrew Nugent and Paul Giles of Adelaide Hills winery Bird in Hand.Mark joins us this episode for what turned into quite a wide-ranging and insightful interview, starting with his personal journey of whisky appreciation that inspired The Bird.We talk about the decision to produce the whisky in partnership with South Australia’s Fleurieu Distillery, whi
Scotch whisky survivor Glen Scotia spreads its wings
The small Scottish coastal town of Campbeltown was once home to over 30 distilleries, and it was known as the “Victorian Whisky Capital of the World”.
Today, Glen Scotia is one of three surviving distilleries in the region.
And both Glen Scotia and Campbeltown are developing a strong reputation among whisky enthusiasts in spite of the region’s production output, which is tiny in the context of Scotch whisky.
Today, Glen Scotia is owned by the Loch Lomond Group and a continuing program of invest
New spirits range has origins in cannabis research
Banks and Bloom Distillery + Lab is a West Australian company founded by biochemist Elaine Darby and winemaker Trent Carroll.
Trent’s name might be familiar to some of you from his earlier AFL career at Fremantle and West Coast.
But it was Elaine’s background that caught my eye when a media release came through recently announcing that Banks and Bloom Ice Vodka had been awarded Doubled Gold in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Between 2015 and 2018, Elaine was managing director of Aus
Introducing The Busker Irish Whiskey
There’s been a groundswell of new Irish whiskey brands in recent years, which we explored in late 2022 in a special episode supported by the Irish Whiskey Association.
Royal Oak Distillery predates many of the newcomers. It was founded in 2012 by the late Augusto Reina of Illva Saronno, the Italian company that owns renowned liqueur brands Disaronno and Tia Maria.
Located on an 18th century estate in Ireland’s Ancient East barley growing region, Royal Oak is home of The Busker Irish Whiskey, whi
How Hawke’s Brewing has evolved its brand, team and beers
Hawke’s Brewing was founded by advertising creatives Nathan Lennon and David Gibson, together with former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke, in 2017.
Bob Hawke passed away in 2019 but his legacy lives on at Hawke’s Brewing through a unique arrangement that diverts his royalty share in the business to Landcare Australia, the environmental charity he founded in 1989.
We’ll talk about that later on in this interview with Nathan and head brewer Brodie French, as well as reflecting on some key mile
Season 16 Trailer
Season 16 of Drinks Adventures starts this week! Here's a sneak preview of some of the outstanding episodes coming up featuring all your favourite beverage categories: Wine, whisky, beer, gin, vodka and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Drinks insolvencies; Mighty Craft latest; Hahn’s big bet; Fever-Tree & Brown Brothers
Welcome to another edition of the news on Drinks Adventures, as we get Season 16 of the show underway.Once again, we’re catching up on the news from the last couple of months.
‘Insolvency armageddon’ hits drinks industry;
Mighty Craft acknowledges difficult market;
Hahn bets big on Ultra Low Carb beer;
Fever-Tree overhauls Australian operations; and
Brown Brothers launches Extended Lees Patricia Sparkling Wine.
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Akasha expanding despite brewing industry challenges
Sydney’s Akasha Brewing Company was founded by former IT professional and passionate homebrewer Dave Padden in 2015.It has quietly grown into one of the inner west’s larger independent breweries, having quickly developed a reputation for high quality, hop-driven beer styles. The year 2022 was pivotal for Akasha. The company undertook a $1.7 million equity crowdfunding raise that supported its diversification into barrel-aged beers, as well as funding the addition of two hospitality venu
How this podcast was born! And where it’s going…
After almost five years and coming up to 200 episodes, perhaps it’s time for you to hear a little bit more about me, how I started Drinks Adventures, and where it might be headed.
Recently Andrew Graham from Kaddy – the wholesale beverage marketplace – asked to interview me for its industry news pages, Kaddy Community.
To which I said, ‘sure! But if we’re going to do it, we may as well record the interview properly so I can share it with my listeners’.
So here it is, an edited version of that in
Michter’s rise to most admired American whiskey
Kentucky-based Michter’s Distillery was named World's Most Admired American Whiskey and second Most Admired Whisky overall by Drinks International in 2022.
We'll find out the story behind its incredible trajectory from master distiller, Dan McKee, in this interview produced in partnership with Michter's.
Born and raised in Indiana, Dan McKee moved to Kentucky to pursue his dream of making whiskey, beginning his career as a distillery operator at Jim Beam.
Two years later, he was promoted to dist
Japanese whisky's evolution, with Fuji master blender Jota Tanaka
Jota Tanaka has worked for Kirin Brewery Company for 34 years, leading its whisky business as master blender since 2017.
He’s had a really interesting career path through the Kirin business to arrive at his current role, including stints in winemaking, wine marketing and leading product development for Four Roses Distillery in Kentucky.
We’ll get into some of that in this interview with Jota, who was inducted into the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame in 2022, one of many career accolades he’s receiv
Spirits veteran James France, founder Vanguard Luxury Brands
James France is a 30-year veteran of the spirits industry in both Australia and abroad.In 2008 he founded the Sydney-based distribution business Vanguard Luxury Brands with the objective of bringing the best brands to the best bars, liquor stores, restaurants and hotels across Australia.He ultimately sold Vanguard in 2019 to Lion, which simultaneously acquired the biggest brand on Vanguard’s roster, Four Pillars Gin, as we previously explored with Four Pillars co-founder Cam Mackenzie o
Lark dismisses buyout talk; Pernod’s new whisky; Boutique-y returns to Oz; Advanced Cicerone Paul Daley & Bentspoke X Teeling collab
The news returns to the Drinks Adventures podcast for the first time since 2021!
This first edition for 2023 is using the term ‘news’ a little loosely, as I’m catching you up on some of the stories that have been on my radar since the beginning of the year:
Lark dismisses buyout talk; and Sullivans Cove speculation;
Pernod Ricard's first new brand in 20+ years;
Indie bottler Boutique-y returns to Oz;
Australia gets its second Advanced Cicerone; and
Bentspoke collaborates with Teeling Whisk
Steve The Bartender: YouTube star, author & distiller
Steve Roennfeldt, better known as Steve the Bartender, has been sharing easy-to-follow cocktail videos on YouTube since 2017.He’s based in Adelaide, South Australia, but he’s built a global community of cocktail enthusiasts.As at the present moment Steve has nearly 700,000 subscribers, which means he’s the country’s leading cocktail Youtuber and one of the top cocktail-related accounts globally.His debut book, Steve the Bartender's Cocktail Guide, was released in 2022.And he also co-own
Starward’s Sam Slaney on small batch trials, debut white wine cask
Melbourne’s Starward Whisky has released smaller batch experimental products ever since the very early days.And some of these, like the Ginger Beer Cask that we explored in depth with founder David Vitale in Season 13, have gone onto bigger things.In 2020, the company created the Small Batch Experimental Series as a home for its smaller one-off releases that haven’t reached the scale required for wider distribution; showcasing new flavours, specialty ingredients and unique barrels or di
How Clare Valley drove screwcap revolution for wine
Can you imagine buying what was supposed to be the exact same product – any product – and having it be different every time?And in some cases, that the product you purchased was outright faulty. It wasn’t fit for purpose.This is not an acceptable scenario in any category of consumer goods. But it’s exactly what was happening in the Australian wine industry 20 years ago, and through no fault of our winemakers.The culprit was dodgy corks, which were causing widespread issues with TCA – co
Maximilian Riedel: Glassware CEO and wine influencer
Maximilian Riedel is the 11th generation CEO of Austrian glassware company Riedel.The company was founded in 1756 and according to Maximilian it is currently facing some of the biggest challenges in its 267-year history.There’s been the covid pandemic obviously, but more recently, the war in Ukraine, which is hugely concerning for an energy intensive manufacturing business such as Riedel, given its reliance on Russian gas.In spite of these headwinds, Riedel recorded its most successful
Tarac unlocks blended whisky opportunity for Australia
Tarac is the largest distiller of grape spirit in Australia, supplying high quality neutral alcohol and brandy spirit for use in fortified wines since 1930.And, as the craft spirits industry has taken off over the last decade, Tarac has increasingly been supplying distillers with the base alcohol to create products including gin and vodka.Now, in a milestone move for the company, it has turned its hand to the production of new make whisky.Using existing infrastructure and technology, Ta
Daniel Ricciardo postscript, with Lakeside Drive F1 podcast
F1 questions were strictly off limits in this week's interview with Daniel Ricciardo about his DR3 collaboration with St Hugo Wines.Instead, I put some of those questions to James Baldwin from leading Australian F1 podcast, Lakeside Drive.James is a wine guy himself, so he gives me his thoughts on the DR3 partnership and Daniel’s F1 prospects in this bonus episode of Drinks Adventures.You can also catch me on the Lakeside Drive podcast speaking with James about my interview with Daniel
F1 star Daniel Ricciardo on his DR3 wine project
He’s best known as an eight-time Formula 1 Grand Prix winner, but Daniel Ricciardo is now forging a reputation for his DR3 wines, produced in partnership with Australia’s St Hugo.After a strong critical reception and encouraging sales for the debut vintages, the project continues to evolve with the third consecutive release of Barossa Shiraz and Coonawarra Cabernet, this time from the celebrated 2021 vintage.The DR3 wines come in an eye-catching packaging created by specialist drinks de
How Lark & Garage Project made Fresh IPA Cask
Collaboration between different drinks producers is vast these days, and in this episode you’re going to hear about one of the more interesting projects.Lark Distillery has just released Fresh IPA Cask, a single malt Tasmanian whisky finished in casks that have previously held Fresh IPA brewed by New Zealand’s Garage Project.How do you maintain the freshness and vibrancy of the Fresh IPA beers after filling them into a barrel, and then impart that into a whisky?That’s what I was trying
The Asian drinks craze with retailer Endeavour
We’ve talked a lot on this podcast about how peoples’ drinking repertoires are expanding.We’re much more open to experiencing a wider range of quality beverages from different cultures that suit different occasions.This is something that Australia’s largest drinks retailer, Endeavour Group, is keenly aware of.The company has recently doubled the range of Asian beverages in its Dan Murphy’s and BWS stores as people seek out products they’ve sampled on their travels, or dining out, or per
Whisky legend Dr Bill Lumsden of Glenmorangie and Ardbeg
Dr Bill Lumsden is the head of distilling, whisky creation and whisky stocks at Glenmorangie and Ardbeg distilleries.The always entertaining Bill joins us this episode as we delve into some of his recent innovations with distilling and maturation in a rapid fire chat recorded while he was in Sydney, late in 2022.You’ll hear about his experiments with a raft of different wood types; a whisky made from barley kilned with woodland botanicals, and how he was inspired by Belgian lambic brewe
Gun winemaking duo Janice McDonald and Stuart Pym
Welcome back to the Drinks Adventures podcast for 2023.If you’ve been with me on the show since the beginning you’ll recall a brilliant chat back in Season One with winemaker and brewer, Janice McDonald, who at that time was chief winemaker at Howard Park in Margaret River.Janice recently joined her partner Stuart Pym at his boutique winery Flowstone, and they’re with us this episode as we hear all about the rekindling of their exciting winemaking partnership.Janice and Stuart previousl
Season 15 Trailer
Coming up in the new season of Drinks Adventures, we'll meet Formula 1 star turned wine entrepreneur Daniel Ricciardo.Listen in for some of the other highlights you can expect as the show returns for another massive year in 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Laphroaig distillery manager Barry MacAffer
Islay’s famous Laphroaig single malt Scotch whisky distillery has featured prominently already in this season of Drinks Adventures.Last episode, we heard how Mighty Craft’s head of distilling operations, George Campbell, got his start in the Scotch whisky industry as a tour guide at Laphroaig.And a few more episodes back we met veteran Scotch distiller John McDougall, who was Laphroaig’s distillery manager between 1970 and 1974.Following the departure of John Campbell in 2021 after 25 y
From Islay to Kangaroo Island: Mighty Craft distiller George Campbell
Mighty Craft is an ASX-listed craft drinks company with investments in several distilling brands that have featured previously on this podcast: Hidden Lake Whisky, 78 Degrees and Seven Seasons Spirits.In this episode, we meet Mighty Craft’s head of distilling operations, George Campbell, who joined the business in mid-2021, bringing with him a strong pedigree from the Scotch whisky industry.George started his whisky career as a Trainee Site Operations Manager for Diageo, which comprised
Jim McEwan & Eddie Brook of Cape Byron Whisky
Cape Byron Single Malt Whisky is undoubtedly one of the highest profile Australian whisky launches of 2022.
This is in no small part due to the involvement of an absolute legend of Scotch whisky, Jim McEwan, previously of the Bowmore, Bruichladdich and Ardnahoe distilleries on Islay.
Coming up, you’re going to hear how Jim connected with Australian Eddie Brook, who founded Cape Byron Distillery on his family’s farm in the Byron Bay hinterland in 2016.
You might have already come across the Brook
Chardonnay stalwart Scarborough Wines begins new chapter
Scarborough Wines was founded by Ian and Merralea Scarborough in the Hunter Valley in 1987.While the Hunter’s regional flagships are clearly semillon and shiraz, Scarborough made its name on chardonnay.Chardonnay is at the fore one again for Scarborough, as the next generation of the family launch a new wine range called Keepers of the Flame.Winemaker Jerome Scarborough and his wife, the renowned viticulturist Liz Riley, are with us this episode of Drinks Adventures.Together with Jerome
Brandy icon St Agnes unveils debut whiskies
Earlier this year I had whisky expert Luke McCarthy on the show, to talk about Oz Whisky Review‘s Top Ten Whiskies of the year.Also in that episode, we discussed some exciting news at St Agnes Distillery.We’d both heard that the celebrated producer of fine Australian brandy had some single malt whiskies in the pipeline.Camborne Single Malt Whisky has since been revealed as the brand identity, and the debut releases have quietly been launched on the St Agnes website.There’s four single c
Balter Brewing takes hoppy beers to new frontiers
It’s been almost exactly three years since Balter Brewing announced its sale to Carlton & United Breweries.What happens after a buyout like this is always a bit of an unknown.But by all accounts, Balter has been going gangbusters under the new regime.Stirling Howland and Scott Hargrave of Balter are with us this episode of Drinks Adventures.You’re going to hear how CUB’s ownership has introduced Balter’s hop-forward beers to some unlikely venues, with surprising results.But we also
Johnnie Walker’s new master blender, Dr Emma Walker
You couldn’t find bigger shoes to fill in the Scotch whisky industry than those of Dr Jim Beveridge OBE.
Jim retired at the end of 2021 after more than 40 years at Diageo, 20 of which he spent as Master Blender of the world's best-selling Scotch whisky, Johnnie Walker.
As previously reported on Drinks Adventures, Jim’s successor is Dr Emma Walker – no relation to Johnnie Walker – who is the first female master blender in the brand’s history.
Emma joined Diageo 13 years ago and has worked extensi
A new era for Yarra Valley wine pioneer St Huberts
Historic Yarra Valley winery St Huberts has recently had a relaunch.There’s some exciting new wine styles, and a long overdue packaging overhaul.And what was previously a very basic cellar door – in a building affectionately known as ‘the toilet block’ – has been completely redeveloped.St Huberts’ owner Treasury Wine Estates partnered with Ryan Hospitality Group to create its new home comprising a Modern Australian and European-inspired restaurant called Quarters, the Hubert Gallery of
Archie Rose shakes up mainstream spirits
Sydney’s Archie Rose Distilling Company has launched an entirely new range of spirits that aims to offer a more accessible alternative to the mainstream brands that dominate the Australian market.Head distiller Dave Withers returns to the Drinks Adventures podcast to tell us about the new Fundamental Spirits offering.It includes True Cut Vodka, Straight Dry Gin and Double Malt Whisky. They’re designed to be a spirits base for your favourite mixed drinks, and they’re priced at between $5
Indian single malt whisky comes of age
Did you know that India is the largest consumer of whisky in the world?There is a caveat on that though. It’s not all whisky as you know it.Mostly it’s what is known as IMFL, or Indian Made Foreign Liquor.In India, there’s very little regulation about what can be put in a bottle and labelled ‘whisky’, particularly for blended whiskies.IMFL is essentially a neutral spirit tinted with caramel colouring and supplemented with something like two to 40 per cent single malt, depending on the p
Australia’s fourth Sake Samurai, Simone Maynard
Melburnian Simone Maynard, aka the Sake Mistress, is the fourth Australian to be awarded the prestigious title of Sake Samurai.Just 70 Sake Samurais worldwide have been inducted by the Japan Sake Brewers Association since the program was introduced in 2005.There are no classes or exams. The award is given to people who champion the culture and identity of sake in Japan and global markets.Simone’s passion for Japanese culture grew from an early love of art and anime, but it was another A
Can brewers overcome wheat beer stigma?
Have you had a chance to try an Aussie Wheat Ale yet?It's going to be the hottest new beer style in Australia this summer – that's if Carlton & United Breweries and retailer Endeavour Group have anything to do with it.Five breweries owned by CUB's craft beer division – Fire & Earth Ventures – have created their own version of what an Australian wheat beer could look like.When I say wheat beer, more than likely you're thinking of a Belgian witbier like Hoegaarden, or a German hef
Gin disruptor Simon Ford’s wild ride as entrepreneur
Fords Gin was founded in 2012 by drinks industry veteran Simon Ford, on the premise of creating the ultimate gin for use in cocktails.Now when I initially heard about that concept, my reaction was, how is that different to other gins already on the market?Aren’t they all designed for mixing?It felt like saying you’ve created the ultimate frankfurt for use in hot dogs.Simon sets me straight this episode as he explains the serious R&D that went into Fords Gin using 150 bartender mates
John McDougall ex-Balvenie, Laphroaig, Springbank & more
Master distiller John McDougall is one of very few people who has made whisky in every one of Scotland’s distilling regions – that’s Campbeltown, Islay, Highland, Speyside and Lowland — for iconic brands like Laphroaig, Balvenie and Springbank.More recently, he’s had a hand in the Australian whisky industry, helping winemaker John Casella set up the production of Morris Whisky in Victoria, which we talked about on the podcast in 2021 with John Casella, Michael Sergeant and Darren Peck o
Wine icon Mount Pleasant gets new lease on life
2020 was a vintage from hell for Mount Pleasant chief winemaker, Adrian Sparks.
On January 7 he made the tough decision not to make any wine from that year’s crop, due to widespread smoke taint.
The next day, he found out parent company McWilliam’s was going into administration.
Going on three years later, Adrian joins us on the Drinks Adventures podcast with nothing but good news from Mount Pleasant.
You heard from the Calabria family last season why they didn’t want to take on Mount Pleasant a
Mountain Goat Beer turns 25, with head brewer Alana Rees
Melbourne brewery Mountain Goat sold its first bottle of beer on October 4, 1997, which means the company is currently celebrating its 25th birthday. That first beer was Hightail Ale. And a few years back, when I put together a list of the most formative beers in modern Australian brewing history, it was right at the top of my ten selections. I’ve republished that article on the Drinks Adventures website here. A hell of a lot has changed in the last 25 years since Dave Bonighton and Cam
Adam Wadewitz’s cool climate wine safari
Adam Wadewitz joined Shaw + Smith as senior winemaker in 2013, with a strong pedigree that included stints at Seppelt and Best’s Great Western.
Coming up to his 10th anniversary, Adam is now a partner and joint CEO, a role he shares with David LeMire, and he’s helped drive Shaw + Smith’s evolution into one of Australia’s most exciting wine companies.
Shortly before Adam joined, Shaw + Smith founders Martin Shaw and Michael Hill-Smith purchased one of Tasmania’s top sites for chardonnay and pinot
Trading tequila for Aussie agave: Trent Fraser of Top Shelf
Our guest this episode is Trent Fraser, who is heading up the groundbreaking Australian Agave Project for Top Shelf International.
When we spoke in early September, Trent was getting ready to unveil the brand identity for the project, which has since been revealed as Act of Treason Australian Agave Spirit.
It’s the first agave spirit produced at scale in Australia, and the largest agave spirit project outside Mexico.
Top Shelf — the ASX-listed company behind Ned Whisky and Grainshaker Vodka — h
How Fever-Tree created the ultimate cola for dark spirits
You probably know by now that Fever-Tree are big supporters of Drinks Adventures.In fact I can say without any exaggeration that I would not be sitting here talking to you if it hadn’t been for their support over the last few years, so thanks very much to Andy and Caroline at Fever-Tree Australia.Given this relationship I reckon it’s overdue that we get Fever-Tree ambassador Trish Brew on for a short chat about one of their new mixers.And this is a product I’m personally excited about,
Penfolds Wines' global ambitions & China drinks report
China drinks expert Ian Ford previously joined us on Drinks Adventures in June 2020.The plan was to get his insights about the pandemic’s likely impact on the drinks industry, but it turned into a really interesting discussion about wine, spirits and beer consumption trends in China, more generally.This is another update on the dynamic Chinese drinks market, including moves by spirits giants Diageo and Pernod Ricard to establish single malt distilleries there, and the opportunities Ian
Dan Aykroyd, vodka advocate and entertainer
It’s not every day one of the Blues Brothers serenades you down the phone line.But that’s how things play out in the opening episode of Season 14 of Drinks Adventures, as we head to Ontario, Canada, to talk with actor, musician and comedian Dan Aykroyd.Dan is on the show primarily to talk about vodka, specifically Crystal Head Vodka, the brand he founded in 2008, long before the recent groundswell of Hollywood actors getting into the distilling business.We also get an update on his busi
Season 14 Trailer
Season 14 of Drinks Adventures is coming soon, and it promises to be absolutely massive.Here's a small taste of what I have coming up for you in the next few weeks.Join my mailing list here for more updates on the podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Irish whiskey thriving with new distilleries, big and small
Irish whiskey is the fastest-growing spirit category in the world, with sales to the US predicted to overtake Scotch whisky by 2030.
It’s a remarkable turnaround for an industry that went through decades of decline.
In 2010 there were only four operational Irish whiskey distilleries on the island of Ireland, north and south.
Today there are more than 40, producing a much wider array of whiskey styles than the lighter, sweeter taste profile the country is known for.
We’ll explore some of the heri
The unrivalled value of rare fortified wines
If you caught the doco-style episode I did on McWilliam’s Wines in 2020, you’ll know the company has been a market leader in fortified wines pretty much since forever.
McWilliam’s is now owned by Calabria Family Wines. And far from seeing fortifieds as a dying part of the industry, you would have heard last episode that Bill, Michael and Andrew Calabria actually see a lot of potential in them.
They recognise that a new generation of drinkers are now getting introduced to fortifieds via Australia
McWilliam's Wines aftermath: Introducing the new owners
Season 6 of the Drinks Adventures podcast featured a documentary episode on The Rise and Fall of McWilliam's Wines.There are some loose ends for us to tie up, as the 143-year-old company's anticipated sale to Prcstnt Asset Management ultimately fell over.In this episode, you’ll meet the winery’s new owner, Calabria Family Wines, which was established in the Riverina in 1945 by Italian immigrants Francesco and Elisabeth Calabria, and is today led by second generation family member, Bill
Beer style trends, with Zytho Brewing and Kirrily Waldhorn
Every day is International Beer Day, here at Drinks Adventures.But in case you needed another reason to celebrate the delights of beer in all its forms, this episode is going to air on the first Friday in August.And that means it’s the 16th annual International Beer Day.Kirrily Waldhorn, AKA Beer Diva, has been working in the beer industry for 23 years.A beer educator, writer and judge, Kirrily matches beer with food for a living.So you’re in good hands as we sit down for a discussion about some
Chris Malcolm, founder Hidden Lake Whisky
We’re joined this episode by Chris Malcolm from recently launched Tasmanian whisky brand, Hidden Lake.If Chris’s name sounds familiar to you, that’s because he’s had a hand in several of the most significant Australian whisky ventures of the last decade.Chris was an early investor in Lark Distillery — going on to become its executive chairman and then CEO of the related entity, Australian Whisky Holdings.He was an early investor in, and director of, Top Shelf International, and he’s currently a
Investing in drinks companies, with Equity Mates Podcast
Most of us don’t think twice about going to a brewery to buy a beer, but have you ever thought about buying into the business?This episode, it’s podcast host versus podcast hosts as I chat to Bryce Leske and Alec Renehan from investing podcast Equity Mates about putting your money where your mouth is.Equity Mates has been educating Australians about investing in a jargon-free, informal style since 2017.Five hundred episodes later, they run a network of nine money-related podcasts, and will host
Lark Whisky 30th Anniversary Special
2022 is certainly turning out to be a landmark year for Australian distilling, in many respects.In June, Starward Whisky was named the Most Awarded Distillery of the Year at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the first time an Australian distiller has taken out this title.Then came the news that the news that three out of four nominees for the International Wine & Spirit Competition - IWSC International Gin Producer of the Year are Australian: Kalkimoon and Granddad Jack’s
Essential Scotch whiskies: Glendronach, Benriach & Glenglassaugh
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, vodka tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.
Brown-Forman is an American distilling company, best known as owner of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, and bourbon brands Old Forester and Woodford Reserve.
But in 2016, it got into Scotch whisky in a big way, buying The BenRiach Distillery Company, which included three distilleries: Ben
Philip Moore, Gin Magazine Hall of Fame Inductee
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, vodka tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Our guest this episode is Philip Moore, who in February 2022 became the first Australian inducted into the Gin Magazine’s Hall of Fame.Now you might well ask, who is Philip Moore? He’s certainly not one of our highest profile gin distillers.But he was actually the first Austral
Heritage Drinks of Myanmar, with brewer & author Luke Corbin
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, vodka tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Heritage Drinks of Myanmar is a beautiful new coffee table book by Australian brewer, academic and writer Luke Corbin, who lived in Myanmar from 2016 to 2021.It takes the reader on an anthropological journey showcasing 14 different alcoholic drinks unique to Myanmar, comprising
World Martini Day, with Archie Rose Bone Dry Gin
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, vodka tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.World Martini Day is celebrated every year on the third Saturday in June. That’s today, Saturday June 18, if you’re listening to this episode in real time.And with us to talk martinis is Archie Rose master distiller Dave Withers, who you previously met in season 3 of Drinks Adv
Wynns Reframed, with senior winemaker Sarah Pidgeon
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, vodka tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Wynns Coonawarra Estate has featured fairly prominently on this podcast.We’ve met chief winemaker Sue Hodder, as well as viticulturist Allen Jenkins, who’s since departed the business.You’ve also heard about Wynns from Andrew Caillard MW, back in season 7, and Matthew Jukes in his mastercla
Brewer turned distiller Ben Stevens of Bondi Liquor Co
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, vodka tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Founded by three friends with background in drinks and hospitality, Bondi Liquor Co is the first operating distillery in Sydney's eastern suburbs.Co-founder and distiller Ben Stevens has experience in both sales and production, having previously worked at Young Henrys, Clare Valley Brewing
Westward Cask Strength rides American single malt whiskey boom
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, vodka tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Back in Season Four of the show, we met Thomas Mooney, co-founder and CEO of Westward American Single Malt Whiskey.Westward is brewed like a pale ale, distilled like a traditional single malt and aged in new American oak, like a bourbon.The emphasis on the brewing stage of the process came
Starward's cult whisky, Ginger Beer Cask, with founder David Vitale
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, vodka tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Starward Ginger Beer Cask began almost by accident, when the distilling team took a bit of whisky and filled it into a barrel that had previously contained their house made ginger beer.Just 85 bottles were released in 2014 of the first ever ginger beer cask, and the following f
Aussie rye whiskey Gospel spreads to USA
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, vodka tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.The Gospel Distillers is a dedicated rye whiskey distillery based in Melbourne, Australia.We first met co-founder Andrew Fitzgerald in April 2020 for a chat primarily about the impact of COVID-19 on his business.Andrew returns for this opening episode of Season 13, so you’re going to find o
B Corp bourbon: Maker's Mark MD Rob Samuels on whiskey sustainability & more
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, vodka tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.B Corp is a certification program that measures a company’s entire social and environmental impact.There are now more than 4000 Certified B Corporations around the world, several of which we’ve featured on this podcast: Sipsmith Gin, Stone & Wood Brewing Company, and South
Highlights from episodes 1-100: Wine, beer, whisky, bourbon, mezcal & more
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, vodka tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Featuring wine makers Sam Neill, Maynard James Keenan and Sir Ian Botham, legendary wine critic Jancis Robinson and many more, new listeners may be interested to check out these highlights from the Drinks Adventures archive.You may also like:
The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxt
Australia's first Master Cicerone, Shane McNamara
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, vodka tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Launched in 2008 by American brewer, author, and beer educator Ray Daniels, the Cicerone® Certification Program is like beer's equivalent of the Court of Master Sommeliers for wine.Following last week's wine episode, we meet Shane McNamara, who in 2022 became the first Australian to reach t
Canada's burgeoning cool climate wines, with podcaster Natalie MacLean
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, vodka tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Canada might be best known for its ice wine, a type of dessert wine produced from frozen grapes.But it’s increasingly getting global recognition for the quality of its dry table wines.Following last week's exploration of the Irish coffee cocktail, our guest today is Canadian wi
Iconic cocktails: How Irish coffee was born, and Dead Rabbit perfected it
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, vodka tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Opened in 2013 by Northern Irishmen Sean Muldoon and Jack McGarry, New York City’s The Dead Rabbit is surely one of the world’s most awarded bars.I can’t possibly list all the accolades they’ve picked up over the years, but they include multiple prizes for World’s Best Bar at both the prest
Wine doco Blind Ambition, with filmmakers Warwick Ross and Rob Coe
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, vodka tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Blind Ambition is a new film about four Zimbabwean sommeliers who form a team and compete in the World Blind Wine Tasting Championships in Burgundy.It's like a wine equivalent of the ultimate sports underdog tale, Cool Runnings, the 1993 film inspired by the true story of the first Jamaican
Pizzini Wines: Trailblazing Sangiovese & Nebbiolo
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, vodka tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Pizzini Wines in King Valley, Victoria, is one of Australia’s leading proponents of Italian grape varieties such as Sangiovese, Nebbiolo and Pinot Grigio.As you’ll hear today from winemaker Joel Pizzini, it was extremely difficult convincing people to taste what were then exoti
The hottest Australian whiskies, with Luke McCarthy
A podcast for lovers of wine, craft beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, vodka tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Australian whisky is set for another massive year in 2022.And I’m sure that just like me, you want to know which are the hottest distilleries we should be looking out for, and insights into trends such as wine vs bourbon cask maturation.Luke McCarthy is founder of Oz Whisky Review, an
Why Old Pulteney Scotch Whisky is 'The Maritime Malt'
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, vodka tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Few Scotch whiskies are distilled and matured by the sea, like Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky.Old Pulteney is located in the town of Wick in far north Scotland, a drive of just 20 minutes or so from John O’Groats, the northeastern tip of Great Britain.Its spirit matures in warehouse
Brewing news with beer guru Matt Kirkegaard
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Veteran beer writer Matt Kirkegaard probably doesn’t require an introduction for many of you.But just in case, Matt is founder of the beer industry publication Brews News, which I edited for a few years prior to starting Drinks Adventures.His podcast Radio Brews News is Australia’s lo
The Gin Queen's Top 10 Australian gins
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.How many Australian gins would you guess are currently on the market?In early 2021, The Gin Queen, Caroline Ashford, counted 600 of them, not even including limited editions and seasonal releases.You may also like:
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Italy's digestif amaro liqueurs, with bartender Federico Malavenda
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Italy’s wonderful array of digestif amari demands exploration.Amari is the plural of amaro, which means ‘bitter’ in Italian. It’s also the name given the country’s unique liqueurs that are intensely bitter and often very sweet too, flavoured by infusing herbs, spices and other botanic
Wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alcoholic drinks & Aussie wine upheaval
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.British wine writer Matthew Jukes should already be familiar to you, as a Drinks Adventures listener.But if you missed his brilliant masterclass on Australian shiraz cabernet blends, stop what you’re doing and go back to Season Three of the show.Matthew’s back with us to
Season 12 Trailer: Wine, beer, whisky, gin & more!
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Happy New Year from Drinks Adventures. Here's a sneak peek at some of the beer, wine and spirits content you can expect when the show returns for 2022.We'll be speaking to brewing expert Matt Kirkegaard, wine writer Matthew Jukes and Canadian wine expert Natalie Maclean,
Spearhead Whisky shakes up single grain Scotch
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Spearhead is a new whisky from the renowned Highlands Single Malt distillery, Loch Lomond, that shakes up Scotch whisky in numerous respects.For starters, it’s a single grain whisky. But in this case, that doesn’t mean it’s been distilled from wheat or corn or rye, Spearh
Penfolds Wines x Thiénot Champagne, with chief winemaker Peter Gago
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Australian winemaker Penfolds Wines has made huge strides internationally in recent years.The company launched its debut California Collection earlier this year, and there’s a set of Bordeaux wines to come in 2022.And in 2019, Penfolds released three champagnes in collabo
Brewing legend Chuck Hahn 'worth billions'; Organic wine; Voyager Estate X Mars Whisky & Australian Agave NFT
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.In this edition of the news:
Brewing industry toasts Chuck Hahn's 50 years of brewing;
Margaret River winery Voyager Estate very nearly fully organic;
Japan's Mars Whisky releases Voyager collaboration; and
Top Shelf International launches the Australian Agave NFT.
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Champion gin distiller, Never Never Distilling, with co-founder Sean Baxter
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Founded in 2017 by Sean Baxter, George Georgiadis and Tim Boast, Never Never is undoubtedly one of the hottest distilleries in Australia at the moment.The company was recently named Champion Australian Distiller for the second year running at the 2021 Australian Distilled
Lyre's Non-Alcoholic Spirits skyrockets to $500M valuation
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Just one story again in this week’s edition of the news.There's been a huge amount of noise around non-alcoholic wine, beer and spirits in recent years.And now, Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic Spirits has completed a capital raising that values the business at $500 million AUD.This valuation has
Brewing historian Tara Nurin; & beer sensory expert Briony Liebich
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Beer and brewing writer Tara Nurin is the official historian of the Pink Boots Society, an organisation created in 2008 to assist, inspire and encourage women working in the beer industry.Tara’s new book – A Woman's Place Is in the Brewhouse – celebrates the contributions
Mystery wine brand wins Pinot Noir Challenge
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.A new and unknown Tasmanian wine brand has come out on top at the Australian Pinot Noir Challenge.The 2020 Ossa Pinot Noir scored 96 points out of 100, winning the Best of Region Trophy for Tasmania and the top wine of the show, judged against Victorian stalwarts like the Yarra Valley
Whisky writer and Diageo veteran Dr Nicholas Morgan
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Whisky writer Dr Nicholas Morgan is a 30-year veteran of spirits giant Diageo, with a background in history and academia.He joined Diageo's predecessor, United Distillers, in 1990, creating what is now considered the world’s most comprehensive spirits archive, before making a somewhat
Viticulturist Allen Jenkins farewelled; Starward Whisky X Yalumba Wine; and Modus Operandi's Newcastle brewery
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Wine, whisky & brewery news from Drinks Adventures:
Wynns Coonawarra farewells viticulturist Allen Jenkins;
Starward Whisky and Yalumba Wines collaborate on a new single malt whisky; and
Modus Operandi Brewing launches green energy brewery in Newcastle.
A podcast for
Lark Distilling MD Geoff Bainbridge on Shene deal, labelling controversy & more
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.It’s been a massive year for Lark Distilling Company, which recently announced the $40 million acquisition of fellow Tasmanian distillery Shene Estate, and has released a raft of new whiskies finished in fortified wine casks.Managing director Geoff Bainbridge joins us this episode, ab
Champion bartender Evan Stroeve on the Principle of Hospitality podcast
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.The Principle of Hospitality podcast is produced by Melburnian hospitality veterans, Shaun de Vries and Sasha Fernando. In this episode exchange, we hear Shaun interview champion bartender Evan Stroeve of Sydney bar Re.You may also like:
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Winemaker Nick Glaetzer reflects on landmark Jimmy Watson wine trophy win
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Glaetzer-Dixon Family Wines made history in 2011 when it became the first Tasmanian winery to win the Jimmy Watson – Australia’s most prestigious wine prize – at the Royal Melbourne Wine Awards.Winemaker Nick Glaetzer has been celebrating the milestone with a highly limit
Bourbon expert Eric Zandona on The Modern Bar Cart Podcast
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.I’ll have another regular episode of the Drinks Adventures podcast to share with you very soon.Right now though I’m stoked to share an interview from another one of my favourite drinks podcasts, The Modern Bar Cart out of the US.The host is a gentleman by the name of Eric Kozlik, who
Wine cellaring tips with St Hugo's Peter Munro
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Cellaring wine and seeing for yourself how its flavours evolve is one of the most exciting aspects of wine appreciation.But it can be intimidating, and there’s some fundamentals you need to know to ensure you get the best results.In this episode of the show, St Hugo chief
Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global beer odyssey
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Brewing legend Chuck Hahn is among only a handful of brewers to have become a household name among beer-loving Australians.But in contrast to other names like Cooper or Foster or Toohey – which have been associated with brewing since the 19th century – the Hahn phenomenon is relativel
Brewing innovator Little Creatures launches Pacific Ale, Hazy IPA
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.No craft beer style has captured the imagination of Australian drinkers in recent years like Pacific Ale.Or is it a style? Well, we’ll get onto that a bit later on in this episode.You may also like:
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UK wine writer Matthew Ju
Brewing trends with The Beer Bible author Jeff Alworth
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Beer writer Jeff Alworth joins us in this opening episode of Season 11, hot on the promotional trail for his latest book.First published in 2015, The Beer Bible is billed as the most comprehensive guide to the world of beer, with everything you need to know about what to
Mezcal boom threatens agave sustainability; Whisky milestone for Australia, and brewer Sobah's crowdfunding campaign
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.In this final edition of the news for Season Ten:
Mezcal boom raises ethical issues;
A landmark moment for Australian whisky; and
Non-alcoholic beer brand Sobah launches crowdfunding campaign.
Theme music 'Devotion' by Silverlining. Purchase here.Follow Drinks Adventures at @drinks
Whisky fiend Dan Woolley on his distillery startup, Highwayman Whisky
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Whisky in Australia has been destined for a shake-up as larger players enter the market with products designed to compete on price with some of the big international whisky brands.But of course, there will always be a place for smaller artisan distillers like Highwayman Whisky, the By
Craft beer shakeup: Why Stone & Wood Brewing sold to Lion
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Brewing company Fermentum Group – parent company of craft beer heavyweights Stone & Wood – has announced its shock sale to Japanese-owned brewer Lion Australia.You are likely as shocked by this as I was. You know how committed Stone & Wood seemed to their independence back when we met
Mezcal brand Quiquiriqui's unusual origin story
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Mezcal featured in Season 9 of the podcast when we met Grant Collins, who had recently opened the mezcal-focused bar and restaurant Cartel in Sydney.One of the mezcals I tasted with Grant during that interview was Quiquiriqi.And the more I read about Quiquiriqui, the more
Agave spirits Australian-style, Whisky stocks building at Mighty Craft, James Squire Zero & more
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.• Agave spirits potential huge in Australia, says ASX-listed Top Shelf;• Mighty Craft invests heavily in whisky; and• James Squire puts a new spin on zero alcohol beer.Theme music 'Devotion' by Silverlining. Purchase here.Follow Drinks Adventures at @drinksadventures_au and James Atki
Charles Maclean MBE on whisky 'flippers', Port Ellen rebirth, blends, Tasmanian whisky & more
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.In more than 40 years of writing about whisky, Charles Maclean has achieved global recognition and no shortage of accolades for his work.He’s a Master of the Quaich – the highest honour in the Scotch whisky industry – and a member of the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame. In fact, he was a
Brewing giants get lager challenger, Seppelt Wines' 170th, Nusa Cana Rum & Moo Brew's Sydney venue
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.- Brewer Stone & Wood enters the burgeoning contemporary beer space;- Victorian wine pioneer Seppelt celebrates its 170th anniversary;- Nusa Cana Rum launches a Batavia Arrack; and- Ambitious craft beer venue Urban House of Brews on track for 2022 launch in Sydney.The
Gin distillers should make their own base spirit: Simon Brooke-Taylor
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Gin distiller Simon Brooke-Taylor (and yes, he is related to the late Tim Brooke-Taylor from 'The Goodies') founded Hurdle Creek Still in Milawa, North East Victoria, with his partner Wendy Williams in 2014.Hurdle Creek produces gin, genever, liqueurs and aperitifs that c
Winemaker Treasury Wine reports strong results, Craft brewer Mountain Culture's Untappd beer coup, Four Pillars Gin x Yarra Yering Wines and more
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.
Winemaker Treasury Wine reports strong results;
Craft brewer Mountain Culture's beer named among world’s best;
Four Pillars Gin launches a single vineyard Bloody Shiraz in collaboration with neighbours Yarra Yering; and
Morris Whisky’s John Casella reveals a premium bran
Craft beer trailblazer Moo Brew reshapes its approach
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Founded in 2005 by David Walsh, the rather infamous owner of Tasmania’s Mona Museum, Moo Brew is a highly respected brewery that has been somewhat uncompromising in its approach.From the outset, David insisted on packaging the Moo Brew beers in rather ornate, expensive bottles.You may
Wine exports post-China; Japan wine market insights; New craft spirits wholesaler; & Brick Lane Brewing's Trilogy of Fear
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Wine Australia is now focusing its efforts on other emerging markets in Asia, where Australian wine has a small share of the total wine market. That's according to general manager of marketing, Stuart Barclay, who addressed last week's Wine Export Diversification Webinar. In other new
Whisky at scale: Morris Whisky shakes up Australian single malt
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Whisky in Australia is highly fragmented, characterised by many small craft distilleries. Launched in 2021, Morris Whisky is one of few distilleries operating at a decent scale.When winemaker John Casella acquired Morris of Rutherglen in 2016, his sole aim was to save an Australian ic
Wine's diversity problem, Tasmania whisky innovation, Good Drinks ASX results; Bentspoke brewing sour beer; and Japanese sake update
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Wine, beer, whisky and sake news from Drinks Adventures:
Wine's diversity problem,
Tasmania whisky innovation,
Craft brewer Good Drinks' ASX results
New Bentspoke Brewing label; and
Japanese sake update.
Theme music 'Devotion' by Silverlining. Purchase here.Follow Drinks Adventur
Sommelier insights: Wine and sake with Tokyo-based Wayne Shennen
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Sommelier Wayne Shennen is a Certified Sommelier and the first New Zealander to achieve certification as an Advanced Sake Professional.Wayne has worked in hospitality in Australia and New Zealand since 2002. And in 2019, Wayne and his Japanese wife, Makie, relocated to Japan to open a
Winemaker Samantha Connew of Stargazer Wines, Tasmania
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Winemaker Samantha Connew launched her own label Stargazer Wines in 2013 by purchasing a parcel of grapes on her credit card.The bootstrapped operation has since grown into one of Tasmania’s most exciting boutique wineries.In 2016, Sam purchased a small riesling and pinot noir vineyar
Wine obsession in the NBA, with ESPN's Baxter Holmes
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Wine appreciation has taken hold in the NBA. Basketball writer Baxter Holmes joins us this episode to discuss this surprising trend.Sportswriters don’t generally win a James Beard culinary award. It’s like Lionel Messi winning an Oscar.But that’s exactly what Baxter Holme
Cider's pagan rituals return to Tasmania
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Back in Season One of this podcast I took you to Tasmania for the Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival, an event quite like anything else I’ve ever attended.Organiser Willie Smith’s Cider recently announced the festival is returning on July 16 & 17, 2021.More must-listen episodes:Two Paddo
Craft beer, wine, seltzer & spirits with Hop Nation Brewing's Sam Hambour
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Craft beer company Hop Nation Brewing was founded in Footscray, Melbourne in 2014 by winemaking friends Sam Hambour and Duncan Gibson.While the brewery started out making hoppy beers, Sam and Duncan have continued to expand into new and intriguing territories.They have a side label fo
Mezcal primer and pandemic recovery with bar veteran Grant Collins
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Grant Collins is an award-winning mixologist who has collaborated and consulted with leading bars and hotels across the world.Since 2017 he’s been working with the Kensington Street hospitality precinct in Chippendale, Sydney, where he founded Gin Lane, Blossom Bar and in 2021, a thir
Wine icon Henschke Wines with viticulturist Prue Henschke
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Australian wine has few companies as revered as Henschke Wines, best known for single vineyard shiraz wines Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone.Henschke produces these iconic red wines from some of the world's oldest vines at its estate in Eden Valley, South Australia.We're
Daniel Motlop: AFL star turns craft spirits entrepreneur
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Daniel Motlop played a total of 130 senior AFL games for the North Melbourne and Port Adelaide football clubs.A three-time Indigenous All-Star, Daniel is a proud Larrakia man. The Larrakia people are the traditional owners of the Darwin region in Australia's Northern Terr
Cocktail festival champions pandemic recovery for bars
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Cocktail festival Australian Cocktail Month was founded by influential industry figure Penny Sippe.The event runs from May 1-31 in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide with the objective of supporting the cocktail and broader hospitality industry.You may also like:Win
Distillery founder and former fashion CEO, Julie Otter
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Sydney distillery Otter Craft Distilling was founded by Julie Otter and her brother Eduard in 2019.While Eduard has extensive drinks industry experience, Julie's background is as an executive in the fashion and beauty sectors.Most recently, she was CEO of Australian fashion label Sass
Wolf Blass Wines: Evolution of an Australian icon
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Wolf Blass is undoubtedly one of Australia's most iconic and acclaimed wine brands.The company conceived by German immigrant Wolfgang Blass in 1966 has received more than 10,000 medals and trophies globally for its wines.You may also like:Wine episodes on Drinks Adventure
Craft beer pioneer and winemaker Phil Sexton
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Craft beer pioneer and winemaker Phil Sexton is a legendary figure in the Australian drinks industry. He founded Matilda Bay Brewing Company, Australia's first craft brewery, in 1983.After Foster's acquired Matilda Bay, Phil went on to co-found arguably the country's most
Gin distilled by an Australian in Cognac?
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Gin distiller Audemus Spirits was founded by Australian Miko Abouaf in 2013.Despite its location in Cognac, France, Audemus has made its name on other spirits. These incude its flagship Pink Pepper Gin, plus liqueurs, bitters and offbeat experiments like Umami Spirit, cre
Whisky brand Boutique-y Whisky's groundbreaking Australia Series
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Whisky brand That Boutique-y Whisky Company bottles single malts, blends, grain whiskies, bourbons and more from right across the globe.Each whisky release is distinctively packaged with eye-catching illustrations that are inspired in some way by the story behind the liqu
Distillery for Sydney CBD? Meet Hickson House Distilling
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Distillery Hickson House is scheduled to open to the public before 2021 is out.Normally on this podcast, you're hearing from companies that have already been in operation for at least a few years or possibly much longer.In this case I'm making an exception to speak with the founders o
From Michigan to Marrickville: The Grifter head brewer Karli Small
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Formerly of Bell's Brewing in Michigan, USA, and West End Brewery in Adelaide, Karli Small has a background in sensory science.Karli began her brewing career as a lab technician at West End. She held a series of brewing roles there before relocating to the US to join Bell
Wine, beer and cat pee: Harold McGee on 'smell echoes'
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.People often scoff at wine being described as having notes of blackberry and sandalwood, or beers that smell of citrus and fresh herbs.But there is actually science underpinning some of these associations.Harold McGee is a world renowned expert on the chemistry of food an
Cognac enthusiast Holly Klintworth of Bass & Flinders Distillery
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Cognac enthusiast Holly Klintworth is head distiller at Bass and Flinders Distillery on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula.The business was founded by Holly's father Wayne Klintworth in 2009 with a desire to make high quality gins, brandies, and liqueurs.You may also like:Wi
Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Coffee cocktails are on the rise thanks to Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur, now ranged by many of the world’s best bars, restaurants and retailers.Parent company Mr Black Spirits was founded by distiller Philip Moore and coffee lover Tom Baker in 2013.The duo had the mi
Gin distillery Four Pillars breaks ground on $6 million expansion
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Gin distillery Four Pillars is based in Victoria's Yarra Valley wine region.It finally broke ground on the $6 million redevelopment of its Healesville distillery and cellar door in early February 2021.You might remember that Cameron Mackenzie of Four Pillars Gin foreshado
Listener survey and prize draw
You could win a Gin Society membership worth $570 if you take a moment to complete the Drinks Adventures Listener Survey.It doesn't matter who you are – whether you're just a lover of beer or wine or spirits, or whether you actually work in the drinks industry – we really want your input in this survey.Those of you who who help us out by doing it will go into the draw to win some awesome prizes: a major prize of a 12-month Gin Society membership valued at $570 and one of three current Gin Societ
Maynard James Keenan, winemaker and musician
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer frontman Maynard James Keenan joins us to discuss the winemaking career he's had in parallel over the last 17 years.Maynard founded Arizona, USA wine company Caduceus Cellars and its affiliated label Merkin Vineyards in 2004.We spoke a little while
Gin Queen reveals the hottest Australian gins
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Gin lover Caroline Childerley launched The Gin Queen in December 2013 to share her enthusiasm for gin and the people who make it.The website has since expanded to include cocktail recipes, interviews with distillers and distillery guides.It is now Australia's most influential website
Pilsner: How the Beer of Kings Changed the World
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.American beer writer Tom Acitelli is with us this episode to tell you all about his latest book.It's called Pilsner: How the Beer of Kings Changed the World and it's a character-driven narrative that shows how this one beer style influenced everything from modern-day adve
How Orlando Wines revolutionised Australian table wine
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Orlando Wines returned in October 2020 with icons such as Steingarten Riesling, Jacaranda Ridge Cabernet and Lawson’s Shiraz joined by some new wines that are fresh and on-trend, such as a Barossa Grenache and some contemporary-style chardonnays.Orlando chief winemaker Be
McLaren Vale Distillery's Jock Harvey on new beginnings
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Following a controversial ownership change, McLaren Vale Distillery launched its debut single malt whiskies in late 2020.Jock Harvey of McLaren Vale winery Chalk Hill last year revealed he had taken full control of the distillery he co-founded in 2014 with John Rochfort.T
Ricky Ponting and Ben Riggs of Ponting Wines
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Cricket legend Ricky Ponting's new wine venture was understandably met with some scepticism when it was first announced.I'll admit that my initial reaction was, 'not another celebrity wine brand'. But I subsequently learnt that there was much more to Ponting Wines than one of those, s
Wine in China, with podcaster Emilie Steckenborn
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Wine expert Emilie Steckenborn founded the Bottled In China Podcast in 2016, to share the stories and adventures of passionate individuals in the Asian food and beverage scene.Emilie has lived in Shanghai, China for more than nine years. She previously worked at Summergat
Veteran beer and cricket writer, Peter Lalor
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Peter Lalor is chief cricket writer and beer editor at The Australian newspaper and has been a reporter for over 30 years.In recent weeks, The Australian published Peter's Top 20 Beers for 2020. It's the 17th consecutive year that he's had this honour, so I invited him onto the Drinks
The rebirth of Young Henrys gin, with head distiller Carla Daunton
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Best known for craft beers including Newtowner Australian Pale Ale, Young Henrys has been operating a distillery in parallel since 2015.However, likely because of the scale of Young Henrys brewing operation, its flagship Noble Cut Gin has flown somewhat under the radar.Th
NSW wine appreciation, with chief judge Dave Brookes
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.The NSW Wine Awards were created in 1996 to build awareness about the quality of the state's wines.Dave Brookes has been chief judge for the last four years and he joins us in this episode of the Drinks Adventures podcast.You may also like:Wine episodes on Drinks AdventuresA highly ac
Wine expert Andrew Caillard MW on ultra-fine Australian wine
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Wine expert Andrew Caillard MW has been a key figure in shaping Australia's fine wine agenda for over 25 years.Andrew is a wine marketing graduate of Roseworthy Agricultural College in South Australia and he passed the Master of Wine examination in 1993.He founded Langton's, Australia
Bartender veteran Jason Crawley on Squealing Pig's wine and gin hybrids
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Bartender veteran Jason Crawley has been working with Squealing Pig on the launch of several new gin and wine hybrid products.When I launched this podcast back in 2018, I spoke about the fact that the drinks industry was in a state of flux.You may also like:Wine episodes
Distilling boom in High Country Victoria: Meet Backwoods whisky company
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Renowned for its fine wine and craft beer, Victoria's High Country region can now claim whisky among its regional specialties.Backwoods Distilling was founded in 2017 by husband-and-wife team Leigh and Bree Attwood in the small town of Yackandandah.Backwoods' whiskies are
Distilling a mixer revolution: Fever-Tree CEO Tim Warrillow
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Distilled craft spirits have taken hold in recent decades, followed by a corresponding boom in premium mixers.Founded in 2004, UK company Fever-Tree was undoubtedly the company that started the latter trend.You may also like:Wine episodes on Drinks AdventuresFever-Tree mixers are now
Oktoberfest: Beer & Blood director Hannu Salonen
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Out now on Netflix, the TV series Oktoberfest: Beer & Blood is the closest you can get to the Oktoberfest in 2020.Six million visitors were expected to descend upon on Munich this year for the festival, originally scheduled to run between September 19 and October 4.You may also like:W
Winemaker Louisa Rose on becoming Yalumba Wines' 47th signatory
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Winemaker Louisa Rose is the signatory on Yalumba Wines The Signature 2016, released on October 1, 2020.Since 1966, The Signature Cabernet & Shiraz has honoured individuals who have made a significant contribution to the culture and traditions of Yalumba, one of Australia's most impor
Whisky paddock-to-bottle with Joadja Distillery
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Whisky distillery Joadja draws upon the Spanish backgrounds of its founders, Valero and Elisa Jimenez, maturing its spirit exclusively in ex-sherry wine casks.Their whisky distillery is unique in many respects, not least its location among the ruins of a fairly isolated heritage-liste
IPA's evolution with Richard Watkins of Bentspoke Brewing
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.The craft beer movement that has taken hold globally over recent decades has been spearheaded by a single beer style – India Pale Ale.IPA absolutely dominates craft beer in North America, where the movement started, and it has become increasingly popular here in Australia over recent
Actor Sam Neill on his wine obsession
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.NZ wine company Two Paddocks was founded 27 years ago by Sam Neill in the emerging pinot noir hotspot of Central Otago.Better known for his acting, Sam has been a lover of pinot noir ever since he first tasted Burgundy in Europe in the 1970s.He spoke to Drinks Adventures from Sydney p
FogHorn Brewery's Hunter Valley expansion, with Shawn Sherlock
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Newcastle, 2014: Shawn Sherlock founds FogHorn Brewery.Hunter Valley, 2020: Foghorn takes over the brewery formerly known as Hunter Beer Co at Potters Hotel, in the region better known for its wine.You may also like:Wine episodes on Drinks AdventuresThe expansion has been
McWilliam's Wines: The rise and fall
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.The sale of McWilliam's Wines following some well publicised financial struggles has sparked debate about private equity's involvement in the wine industry.With a rich history of 143 years, McWilliam's is one of Australia's best known family wine companies. It has operati
Bourbon master distiller, Marianne Eaves, on her trailblazing career
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Bourbon master distiller Marianne Eaves is the first female to achieve that title in Kentucky since Prohibition.With a background in chemical engineering, Marianne found her way into the bourbon industry via an internship at Brown-Forman, the company behind whiskey brands
Drinks that shaped Australia: Max Allen on his new book
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Melbourne-based wine and drinks journalist Max Allen has been writing about drinks for more than 25 years.Max is the wine and drinks columnist for the Australian Financial Review, a longtime contributor to Gourmet Traveller Magazine and the Australian correspondent for ja
Overeem Single Malt Whisky is back in family hands
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Respected Tasmanian distiller, Overeem, has recently returned to family ownership.You may have read on the Drinks Adventures website my interview with Geoff Bainbridge, the CEO of Lark Distilling Company – formerly Australian Whisky Holdings – in which he explained the co
S5 postscript & wine expert Angus Hughson
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Wine expert Angus Hughson from Winepilot.com joins me to answer a listener question about purchasing back vintage Aussie red wines.Season Six of Drinks Adventures is coming soon. Join our mailing list for updates on the podcast.You may also like:Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures
Wine and spirits in China with market expert Ian Ford
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Wine and spirits entrepreneur Ian Ford found himself navigating the second disease outbreak of his career in the China drinks industry, with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020.SARS had very similar impacts on the Chinese economy to those of COVID-19. As such
Irish whiskey's comeback with Stephen Teeling of Teeling Irish Whiskey
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.In 2015, Teeling Irish Whiskey opened Dublin's first new distillery in 125 years.Brothers Jack and Stephen Teeling have recently achieved another significant milestone with the launch of Teeling Single Pot Still, the company's interpretation of this classic whiskey style that is uniqu
Firestone Walker brewmaster Matt Brynildson: Introducing Drink Beer, Think Beer with John Holl
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.One of America's most respected breweries, Firestone Walker is based in Paso Robles Wine Country, California.The company excels in the production of beers that run the full gamut of styles.Brewmaster Matt Brynildson joined the company in 2001. He has since been named Cham
Whisky expert Dave Broom talks filmmaking, world whisky, genever and more
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Whisky writer since 1988, Dave Broom, is undoubtedly one of the world's leading commentators on spirits.Dave was in Australia recently for the film premiere of The Amber Light, a documentary that follows Dave on a tour around Scotland where he explores the history of whis
Sparkling wine with House of Arras winemaker Ed Carr
Ed Carr is the only non-champagne winemaker to have won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships.As group sparkling winemaker at Australia's Accolade Wines, he oversees production of brands including House of Arras.Join the Drinks Adventures mailing list here Arras wines have won more than 100 trophies in Australian wine shows since the 1990s, when Ed saw the potential in Tasmanian grapes to produce world class sparkling wine.In this episode, Ed shar
Professional beer taster Tina Panoutsos on her 30-year career
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Sensory expert Tina Panoutsos joins us this episode, having last year celebrated her 30th anniversary at Australia's largest brewer, Carlton & United Breweries.Tina is associate director of beer knowledge at CUB, where she started out as a quality assurance chemist in
Richie Hawtin, Japanese sake enthusiast and techno legend
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.ENTER.Sake is a boutique Japanese sake collection curated by renowned techno artist Richie Hawtin, who joins us this episode of the Drinks Adventures podcast.Richie aka Plastikman has been drinking sake while touring Japan on a regular basis since 1994.But he very quickly became obses
Vegan beer, sake and wine hybrids with Yulli's Brews
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.When is beer vegan? These days, the vast majority of beers on the market would qualify, but there a few exceptions.We're joined this episode by James Harvey and Tom Davies of Yulli's Brews, which has its vegan brewery and restaurant in Alexandria, Sydney.You may also like
Distillers switch to making sanitiser as COVID-19 shatters drinks industry
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Rye whiskey company The Gospel Distillers is one of many Australian distilleries that has adapted extremely quickly into producing sanitiser in the face of the COVID-19 crisis.The virus has wreaked havoc on the drinks industry, and The Gospel co-founder Andrew Fitzgerald
Oak maturation trends in wine and spirits, with Master Cask's Darren Lange
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.If you're a regular listener to the show, you'd recognise that we spend a lot of time talking about oak.Oak plays a vital role in the production of wine and spirits, and increasingly in beer. In this special episode, we're going to delve into it more deeply with Darren Lange, founder
UK wine critic Matthew Jukes on The Great Australian Red
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Cabernet/Shiraz is the definitive Australian red blend, according to British wine writer Matthew Jukes.Together with Australia's Tyson Stelzer, he founded The Great Australian Red wine competition to recognise and celebrate this unique wine style.While in Australia recently for the 20
Julio Bermejo, tequila pioneer and creator of the Tommy's Margarita cocktail
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.The Tommy's Margarita is one of only 16 cocktails that have been officially recognised as 'New Era Drinks' by the International Bartenders Association.It was created by Julio Bermejo in 1990 at the restaurant founded by his parents in San Francisco, USA.Under Julio's infl
Sustainable wine and spirits with Laura Carter of Unico Zelo and Applewood
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Based in Adelaide Hills, SA, Laura and husband Brendan Carter have long championed sustainable practices across their business, such as actively selecting grape varieties that best suit the Australian climate in order to minimise water use.In August 2019 – just like Stone & Wood Brewi
NZ Wine's low alcohol project, with viticulturist Dr David Jordan
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.The NZ Lighter Wines initiative has 18 participating wineries. Their mission is to produce naturally low in alcohol wines that offer the same great drinking experience you can expect from their full-strength counterparts.The innovative project is being led by Dr David Jor
American single malt whiskey with Westward co-founder Thomas Mooney
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Mention American whiskey to someone and they will likely think you are talking about bourbon and rye.But there's a new category of American whiskey that is on the rise, that of American single malt.Located in Portland, Oregon, Westward whiskey is the largest craft distill
Jancis Robinson, wine legend, on her amazing 30-year career
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Wine critic Jancis Robinson MW joins us on this episode of the Drinks Adventures podcast.In 1984, Jancis became the first person outside the wine trade to qualify as a Master of Wine. She was awarded an OBE in 2003 by Her Majesty the Queen, on whose cellar she now advises
Brewdog brewery co-founder Martin Dickie on DogTap Brisbane & more
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Scottish craft beer company, Brewdog, is now a multinational business with 95 Brewdog bars globally.Its co-founder, Martin Dickie, joins us in this episode of the Drinks Adventures podcast.You may also like:Wine episodes on Drinks AdventuresBrewDog's phenomenal growth has
Champion brewer DJ McCready of Mountain Culture Brewing Company
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Katoomba, NSW brewpub Mountain Culture Brewing Company was founded in 2019 by husband and wife team DJ and Harriet McCready.American-born DJ McCready exploded onto the Australian brewing scene at the inaugural Craft Beer Awards, now known as The Indies, in 2014.You may al
Marrickville breweries multiplying as Philter Brewing joins in
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Is it Australia's craft beer capital? The Sydney suburb of Marrickville almost certainly has the highest concentration of breweries of any suburb in Australia. I'm happy to be corrected on that if anyone has information to the contrary.There's yet another brewery soon to join their ra
Cult Aussie whisky maker Tim Duckett, of Heartwood Malt Whisky
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Tasmanian Independent Bottlers and Heartwood Malt Whisky were founded by Tim Duckett, and both have developed a cult following.In this episode, Tim and I discuss his journey to date and the role that independent bottlers play in the whisky industry more generally.You may
Distillery driving whisky innovation: Dave Withers of Archie Rose Distilling
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Distillery Archie Rose may be best known for gin, vodka and other weird and wonderful products, none moreso than ArchieMite, its buttered toast spirit.But in this episode, master distiller Dave Withers joins me predominately to discuss their ambitious plans for whisky.Aus
Green Ant Gin and Native Grain Whiskey with Adelaide Hills Distillery
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Distilling spirits from native Australian foods excites Sacha La Forgia, whose company Adelaide Hills Distillery has released a raft of innovative products.These include Green Ant Gin and more recently, Native Grain Whiskey, which explores the potential of making truly Au
Wine in cans will take off in Australia: Riot Wine Co
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Wine packaging is getting a revamp, thanks to winemaker Tom O'Donnell of Riot Wine Co.In 2016, O'Donnell co-founded the Adelaide, Australia-based company Riot, which releases its wines exclusively in cans and in kegs.Riot wines have been pouring on tap at bars and restaur
Boatrocker Brewers & Distillers' Matt Houghton on making eclectic drinks
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Sour and strong ales are the mainstay of Boatrocker Brewing. The company is home to one of the largest barrel ageing facilities in Australian brewing, which you can visit at Braeside in Melbourne's south east.Founded in 2009 by Matt and Andrea Howton, the brewery is also
Wine mainstay Wynns Coonawarra Estate with winemaker Sue Hodder
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.One of Australia's best known winemakers, Sue Hodder of Wynns Coonawarra Estate, joins us this episode.Sue has just completed her 27th wine vintage at Wynns, where she oversees production of some of Australia's most cellared wines, including Black Label Cabernet.Together
Whisky pioneer Bakery Hill Distillery celebrates 20 years
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Whisky distilleries Lark and Sullivans Cove are likely the best known pioneers of Australian whisky.Founded in 1999, Bakery Hill came soon after. It was the first whisky distillery on the mainland, and the third to open in the modern era after those two celebrated Tasmanian brands.You
Four Pillars Gin's Cam Mackenzie on creating a global gin brand
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Gin powerhouse Four Pillars expects to sell 500,000 bottles of its gin in 2019.The Australian distillery founded in in 2013 by Cameron Mackenzie, Matt Jones and Stuart Gregor has doubled its sales year on year and its gin is now available in 30 different markets globally.This rapid gr
'Vermouth is a wine!' Cocktail historian and master distiller Jared Brown
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Gin master distiller and cocktail historian Jared Brown joins me in this Season Two finale episode.But we're not talking about Sipsmith Gin this time (see S1E2 for that!) , because Jared has another, far more interesting title, that of cocktail historian.You may also like
Whisky expert Andrew Derbidge on Australian whisky's growing pains
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Whisky expert Andrew Derbidge is director and cellarmaster for the Scotch Malt Whisky Society Australia and has been heavily involved with the whisky industry for many years as an educator, presenter and writer.Some of his excellent writing is on his own website Whisky & Wisdom, which
Brewers, winemakers and distillers' weirdest drinks collaborations
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.The Chardonnay IPA, and rum aged in wine barrels are some of the exciting collaborations happening on the fringes of beer, wine and spirits.Brix Distillers is a rum distillery that opened in Sydney in 2018. And they are trying to re-educate Australians about the potential of rum, whic
Gin distiller for 50 years: Beefeater Gin's Desmond Payne MBE
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Gin industry legend Desmond Payne MBE has probably been distilling gin since before you were born.In 2017, the Beefeater Gin master distiller celebrated his 50th year as a gin distiller and he's still going strong today.You may also like:Wine episodes on Drinks AdventuresI caught up w
Gin, whisky, rum & more with Nip of Courage founder Kathleen Davies
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Gin, whisky and rum are among the craft spirits categories that are currently on fire in Australia.Australian craft spirits champion Kathleen Davies joins us this episode to discuss these market trends and the evolution of her business Nip of Courage.You may also like:Win
Wine and beer in Tasmania with Bruny Island Beer and Sailor Seeks Horse Pinot Noir
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Wine, beer, cider and whisky, Tasmania has it all in spades.In season one I talked Tasmanian whisky with Sullivans Cove Distillery, and cider with Willie Smith's Cider.This time I explore the unique brewing operation of Bruny Island Beer and Cheese with head brewer Evan Hunter.I also
Sake in Japan with experts John Gauntner and Shuso Imada
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Sake and its rising popularity outside Japan was explored in the very first episode of Season One of Drinks Adventures.My recent sake press tour with the Japanese Sake & Shochu Makers Association brought the opportunity to interview John Gauntner, who is recognised as the world's lead
Stone & Wood Brewing leads third wave of independent craft beer
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.We kick off season two of the Drinks Adventures podcast with a in-depth look at the brewery founded in Byron Bay, Australia in 2008, Stone & Wood Brewing Company.Stone and Wood celebrated its tenth anniversary last year and I started covering drinks as a journalist no
Wine, beer, whisky and gin: Season Two Trailer
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Beer brand Stone & Wood Brewing Company will be the subject of a special report in the opening episode of Drinks Adventures Season Two.Beefeater Gin master distiller Desmond Payne MBE will also join us as he notches up his 52nd year as a gin distiller in 2019.You may
Sir Ian Botham, cricket legend turned winemaker, on his venture Botham Wines
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Sir Ian Botham is deadly serious about his new winemaking venture, Botham Wines.Celebrity-branded drinks have had a chequered history, to say the least. Look no further than Shane Warne's ill-fated forays into wine (Shane Warne Collection) and craft beer (99 Not Out).It w
Wine and champagne experts Huon Hooke & Leanne Altman, plus Lanson chef de cave Hervé Dantan
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Champagne is a beloved wine style in Australia, the world’s sixth largest champagne market with the biggest per capita consumption per head of population outside Europe.First up this episode, I take a look at the Vin de Champagne Awards, a uniquely Australian award organi
Whisky in Tasmania with Sullivans Cove Whisky head distiller Heather Tillott
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Whisky upstart Sullivans Cove won World's Best Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards three out of four years running.Sullivans Cove Whisky head distiller Heather Tillott reveals the secrets to its success in this episode of the Drinks Adventures podcast.You may also li
Cider advocate Sam Reid of Willie Smith's Cider in Tasmania
Some further excerpts from my interview with Sam Reid, co-founder of Willie Smith's Cider.Topics include the importance of real cider apple varieties to Australia's emerging cider category. We also discuss what you'll find at the Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival in the way of food, cider, wine, beer and music, and the planning that goes into it.You may also like:Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Cider's pagan rituals at Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.William Smith & Sons is one of the oldest family businesses in Tasmania's Huon Valley wine region.Founder Willie Smith planted the first tree in their apple orchard in 1888 and fourth generation family member Andrew Smith is the current orchardist, responsible for taking the farm orga
Wine writer Jeni Port on the evolution of Australian wine icon, Penfolds Wines
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Wine writer Jeni Port has been tasting and critiquing Penfolds Wines for many years. In this episode, she discusses the Penfolds Collection 2018 and the changing face of Penfolds Wines, Australia's most iconic winery.It's been a massive few months for Penfolds, which in J
Whisky entrepreneur David Vitale of Starward Australian Whisky
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Whisky company Starward is Australia's market leader, thanks to founder David Vitale's ambitious strategy of pursuing larger scale whisky production from the very beginning.This has meant that Starward Whisky has been able to offer its range of high quality, red wine cask
Winemaker and craft beer pioneer Janice McDonald of Howard Park Wines in Margaret River
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Winemaker at Burch Family Wines in Western Australia, Janice McDonald oversees the Howard Park and Mad Fish wine brands using grapes sourced from vineyards in the Margaret River and Great Southern regions.Named Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine's Winemaker of the Year in 20
Gin without juniper is flavoured vodka: Sipsmith Gin's Fairfax Hall
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.What is the difference between gin and flavoured vodka? That should be an easy question to answer.But some of the drinks industry's older heads have voiced concern that gin without juniper berries, or lacking in juniper character, is on the rise.Among them is Hayman's Gin, which recen
Sake goes global: Japan's national drink finds new audience
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Sake is Japan's iconic national beverage and it can be every bit as rich in heritage, sophistication and complexity as fine wine. It is a superior match for many cuisines.Cast aside any preconceptions you may have of that cheap and nasty stuff served scalding hot in Aussi
Wine, Beer, Whisky & Gin: Drinks Adventures launching soon
A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.A wine, beer, whisky and gin podcast launching September 2018.Theme music by Cameo Culture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices