Independent Brewers Association

10/09/2026

Did you know, as a brewery or associate member, your entire team can receive our regular member newsletter communications direct to your inbox?

In our newsletters you'll find important information about your membership, including upcoming events, member offers, new resources, links to industry news and activity as well as updates on all the work the IBA is doing on behalf of indie brewers across the country.

If you work for a member brewery and want to receive these regular communications, just email us at [email protected] and we'll make sure you're subscribed.

Being a member and subscribing to the IBA's newsletter is the best way to ensure you don't miss any important news or updates!

09/09/2026

The Independent Brewers Association is proud to again be a Presenting Partner for in 2026, with the festival to be held in the Riverina on the 15th-17th of October.

Grainstock is a unique event that brings together farmers, breeders, maltsters, brewers, distillers, bakers, industry suppliers and processors to celebrate the journey from field to ferment and grain to glass/plate, with a public all-ages festival to close out the event that showcases the best in grain-based food and drink, plus live music.

Tickets are now on sale: https://www.grainstock.com.au/

08/09/2026

The IBA would like to welcome its new members for August, 2026, with seven new members across our Brewery, Associate and True Indie Supporter categories!

These new members continue the IBA’s recent growth in membership, and a continued strong start to the 2026/2027 financial year.

Thank you to all of our new members and existing members for your continued support of the Independent Brewers Association. To learn more about our new members, head to the link.

If you know of an indie brewery who should be a member of the IBA, please get in touch with us at [email protected].

In August, the IBA welcomed seven new members across our Brewery, Associate and True Indie Supporter categories. These new members continue the IBA's consistent growth over the past 12 months and a continued strong start to the 2026/2027 financial year.

03/09/2026

Some great news out of Western Australian independent b**r as extends their deal until 2032.

“This is a great result for consumers at Optus Stadium who can continue to enjoy locally-owned and made b**r when they attend major events."

Says IBA CEO Sabrina Kunz.

“Across the country, too many stadiums are locked into contracts with just two foreign owned companies – meaning locally-owned and made b**r is simply not an available choice for the consumer. We are so pleased that visitors to events at Optus Stadium can now experience great independent b**r.”

Congratulations to Gage Roads and thank you for your ongoing support of the IBA!

Fans flocking to Perth's Optus Stadium for sports or major events will be able to enjoy indie b**r there for another six years after Gage Roads securing pouring rights at the venue through to 2032.Brewery managing director John Hoedemaker (pictured above right with executive directory strategy Aaron...

02/09/2026

Did you know that Brewery Members of the IBA receive bespoke, discounted rates from ? We know that cost pressures continue to be felt by brewers - through our partnership with Aus Post, there is serious potential savings for breweries sending b**rs out direct to customers.

Visit the link to see up to date discounted rates in your area or to find out how to receive these discounted rates. If you aren't a member, get in touch at [email protected] to learn more about discounted Aus Post rates and all the other benefits that come with a brewery membership.

Discounted Australia Post Rates for IBA Members

01/09/2026

Congratulations to The Crafty Pint founder and Independent Brewers Association board member James Smith on being named as one of Melbourne Food and W**e Festival's Legends at the 2026 Legends & Trailblazers night. James was recognised for his work as a communicator and educator in the world of b**r over the past 16 years.

Congratulations James on your award but also thank you for your contributions to Australian indie b**r over the past 16 years.

Melbourne Food & W**e Festival hosted their 2026 Legends & Trailblazers awards night at the NGV last night.

Among those honoured with a place in the festival's hall of fame was The Crafty Pint – and now The Full Measure – founder James Smith, recognised in the Communicator / Educator category.

The full list of winners: https://tinyurl.com/226bk44b

28/08/2026

Congratulations to on 10 years of brewing, and thank you for being a long-time supporter of the IBA!

Chris & Gab Moore reflect on those 10 years with The Crafty Pint, touching on relationships, values, community and place.

"Small, remote towns can be funny places. Not everyone is going to embrace your vision, but in the end, you are doing what you do to celebrate the place you live and hopefully make it more vibrant, thriving and proud of itself. Every b**r we make is screaming: “Look at this amazing place we come from – check it out!”."

Sailors Grave is such a great example of how Australian owned indie brewers are valuable contributors to local communities, and Australia's broader indie b**r community is lucky to have them.

“You need people like us that are stubborn enough to say, ‘No. We're doing it here.’”There’s no denying the world of Australian b**r is far richer for having Sailors Grave within the community. Even if you don’t like their b**rs – and if you can’t find a single one to enjoy out of th...

27/08/2026

A reminder to our Victorian members - and non-members - that the IBA have a MashUp ahead of this weekend's Blobfish Festival at .

This Mashup presents an opportunity for members to hear from IBA CEO Sabrina Kunz and Board Chair Evin Craney, along with an opportunity to hear from AgVic on early updates and progress on the Victorian Craft B**r & C***r Strategy.

As always, IBA MashUp's also present an opportunity to catch up with your fellow brewers over a b**r and a bite to eat.

Join IBA CEO Sabrina Kunz and IBA Board Chair Evin Craney for an update on all things Victoria, including an update on the Victorian Craft B**r and C***r Strategy, as well as an update on the IBA’s pre-election position – all while you enjoy a b**r and a bite to eat with your fellow Victorian br...

26/08/2026

"The IBA gives independent brewers a stronger collective voice. A lot of the issues we face are hard to tackle individually, so having the IBA there advocating for the industry is really important."

The Independent Brewers Association has over 30 Regional Cluster Lead positions across the country, helping us to connect with as many breweries in as many regions as possible.

These volunteer positions are held by passionate industry contributors, like Christen McGarry from Your Mates Brewing Co, who fills the Sunshine coast volunteer position in Queensland.

“The reason I chose to be a Regional Cluster Lead is to be useful to other brewers in the region."

Read on to learn more about why Christen chooses to be a Regional Cluster Lead for the IBA.

The IBA launched its Regional Cluster Leads in February of this year. With the new format replacing the former State Chapter Leads; the key difference being that across each state, there are now multiple active leads instead of one. This new setup helps us reach more brewery members with important m...

25/08/2026

Over the weekend, IBA CEO Sabrina Kunz had the chance to attend a Politics in the Pub session with Senator James McGrath - Fighting for Queensland to discuss the need for alcohol tax reform in Australia.

The tax on b**r is hitting ordinary Australians hard in their hip pockets, while millions of taxpayer dollars are being poured into enforcement against growing illicit alcohol.

It is beyond time for alcohol tax reform that ensures the average Australian can afford to shout a round at their local after a hard week of work or host a barbeque for their neighbours.