In two interviews Davydd is joined by Maz from Hawkers Brewing and Daniel from Beer Reflections to talk about many of the current issues in the Australian craft beer scene.

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Daniel has produced a really interesting analysis of which beers you'll find in your local bottleshop and how that's changed in the last couple of years. We discuss the rise of white labels [ie beers that supermarkets produce that are designed to mimic craft beer labels], what CUB and Lion have done to respond and how the numbers of independent craft beers on offer has reduced.

We also get a tiny sneak peak at preparations for this years Bendigo On the Hop Festival. You can read more of Daniel's work including his 2024 GABS Hottest 100 Predictions here: https://www.beerreflections.com.au/

Then it's back out to Hawkers to continue our chat with Maz while sipping his West Coast IPA and Stout - if you haven't already heard the first part of the interview back in Episode 211 we suggest you go back and check that out first! 

Again a quick reminder that there is a fair bit of swearing in the interview with Maz so if that's not your thing you might want to give this part of the episode a miss.

As well as discussing the beers we go a deep dive of how government policy impacts the craft beer industry including positive assistance programs, the impost of excise and the new container deposit scheme in Victoria. 

We discuss where the money you pay for your slab really goes and find out what Maz thinks of the Independent Beer Association and their awards.

You can support Hawkers by grabbing some of their beer online here: https://hawkers.beer/