News

In 2025, our members told us that they wanted more opportunities to get together as an industry, to share ideas and to access great technical education. In February, the IBA partnered with the Chartered Institute of Brewers and Distillers (CIBD) on two Learn & Connect events in NSW and Victoria. The events were designed to offer members of both organisations an opportunity to socialise and engage in a technical topic, but also for IBA members to hear directly from us, everything that is going on.

Our first event was held at Footscray’s Hop Nation, where our IBA Board Chair Evin Craney, new Board Director James Smith, and Membership Engagement Officer Jono Outred attended and hosted alongside Laura Hose of the CIBD and Hop Nation head brewer Tim Ladner. Evin and Jono provided a ‘State of the Nation’ updating the IBA members in the room on what the IBA is currently engaged in across the Victorian government as well as broader Federal Advocacy work, our new Regional Cluster Leads and more. Laura and Tim presented an insightful and engaging technical presentation on non-alc beers that encouraged some great questions and conversations.

“Hailing from regional WA, it’s always a pleasure to visit Victoria, where it feels like there’s a great indie brewer around every corner. I stayed in Footscray where I was delighted by the vibrant eateries, and bars and pubs stacked with great local beers, like Bar Josephine. Of course, I had to go and say g’day to a few member breweries – like Brewmanity and Stomping Ground – between emails.”

“But the event at Hop Nation was such a highlight, to get in a room with a bunch of Victorian brewers and talk at length about their challenges and where the IBA fits into the current climate of independent beer was eye-opening, and gave me so much context about the state and where we need to put our attention.”

“Chatting with Tim after his fantastic presentation was also great insight. The no and low-alc categories are fascinating and exciting, and I’m proud that it’s been indie brewers leading the charge to give drinkers flavourful and true to style beers that encourage both moderation in drinking and innovation. Big thanks to Tim, Sam and the whole Hop Nation crew, such awesome hosts.”

On Wednesday, IBA Board Director Faith Wignall hosted us as her brewery where Chris Sproats from the Toohey’s brewery and CIBD Board shared some lessons from his experience in brewing low and non alc beers. Sabrina Kunz, IBA CEO provided an update on activities happening in New South Wales and led a rally cry for beer fair taxation for beer.

“I was met with some wild weather on the Inner West Ale trail in Sydney on Wednesday, but managed to enjoy some prawn toast at the Bob Hawke Leisure center, chat to the team at Pickled Monkey, check out Heaps Normal’s awesome new venue and say a quick hello to Topher as he continues to pack down the Wildflower venue. They really have built something special on that Ale Trail.

“At the event itself there were two attendees who had worked for Lion for over 40 years and described the brewing industry as “their whole life.” They had some fascinating stories to share and were very enthused about excise tax reform.

“Overall, the connection part of the day has really refueled me as the passion for our industry and commitment to fighting for its future shone through – from every part of the industry – suppliers, indie brewers and big brewers.” Says Sabrina Kunz.