Past Events

December 2, 2021 By Ioni Doherty Lyre’s is adding two more spirits to its portfolio this season: two Agave alternatives – Agave Blanco and Agave Reserva, and London Pink Spirit. Its new summer range comes on the back of the business running a capital raise of $37 million, valuing the business at AUD$500 million. It’s meteoric rise for a brand that has been trading for less than two and a half years, during which it has entered more than 60 countries,…

Everyone who was ever anyone in brewing at Lion celebrated Chuck Hahn’s 50 Years in Brewing at Squire’s Landing in Circular Quay on Monday evening. Delayed twice this year but third time lucky, the event went ahead to celebrate the man widely considered the forefather of craft brewing in Australia. An “entrepreneur in a brewer’s body”, the evening’s tributes to him painted a picture of someone who transformed the way Australians drink beer. A craft brewer with an international vision,…

February 18, 2022 By Ioni Doherty South Australian Premier Steven Marshall will open Kangaroo Island Spirits’ new cellar door and production facility today after a re-development to the tune of $3.5 million, $500,000 of which was granted by the South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC). The project includes the installation of a 1,800L steam-driven gin still that will see the Kangaroo Island site producing up to 3,000L of gin a week, as well as a 4,500L whisky still. This will allow 1,200L…

February 23, 2022 By Ioni Doherty Aperol, Maybe Sammy and the Empire Lounge have joined forces for one of the best Sydney summer Sunday sessions ever. Every Sunday until 24 April, there are Aperol spritzes being rolled out non-stop at Case Aperol where the drinks are designed by Maybe Sammy and a menu designed by Empire Lounge’s Faheem Noor. Paolo Marinoni, Marketing Director for Aperol, said: “We are proud to launch the unveiling of this exciting one-of-a-kind waterfront pop-up. Connecting…

On Tuesday night Australian Cocktail Month launched at the beautiful Hickson House Distillery in The Rocks, Sydney.  Over 120 guests joined Australian Cocktail Month founder Penny Sippe to celebrate and enjoyed delicious cocktails to toast the 2022 event designed to celebrate and support Australian bars and bartenders.  Ms Sippe said, “Our Australian bartenders and bars are some of the best in the world and can't wait to warmly welcome you in May.” Hickson House Distilling Co have crafted three exclusive…

Adelaide was a town transformed over the weekend as the Cooper family celebrated the brewery’s milestone of 160 years and six generations of brewing. Coopers Original Pale Ale roundels were signposted across Adelaide and eighty delegates were flown in from interstate to join the celebration of this enduring Australian institution and one of South Australia’s biggest hero brands. At the airport, wrapped across trams, struck across pavements in lights and on alfresco umbrellas at Adelaide’s sandstone walled pubs, the brewery…

Drinks Trade had the privilege to attend the Australian launch of the Award-Winning Mirabeau Dry Rose’ Gin. To begin this wonderful experience, guests got artsy and made and decorated their very own bottle topper in a glassblowing workshop.  Beautifully prepared French canapes were served before lunch at French restaurant, St Jacques, a tiny neighbourhood eatery in Sydney's Redfern. Jeany Cronk, co-founder of Mirabeau Wines, zoomed in from Provence to provide a guided tasting where she eloquently detailed their success in…

Nick Tesar from Bar Liberty in Melbourne has been crowned Diageo World Class Australian Bartender of the Year for 2022 and will represent Australia in the Global Finals held in Sydney in September. Australia’s top five bartenders competed Sydney’s Shell House to take home the title of Australia’s best bartender and a coveted place in the World Class Global Finals. Following multiple cocktail challenges Nick took the win from fellow top five finalists Eduardo Conde from No. 92 GPR in…