The year 2020 needs no introductions, but we reckon it’s worth looking back on what our team and our community were able to achieve in the middle of it all.

We want to thank everyone who continued to support us this year – from our local communities to our drinkers all around the country. Thank you for #KeepingLocalAlive when times were tough and for looking out for each other like never before.

With this crazy-ass year drawing to a close, we can’t help but feel like we’re all a bit more resilient and more connected for it. Cheers to that!

January

The Original Pacific Ale is voted Australia’s favourite craft beer in the GABS Hottest 100!

In response to the summer bushfire crisis, together with Fixation Brewing and Granite Belt Cider Co we collectively donated and pledged over $71,000 to fire brigades, rural fire services and drought relief across NSW, Queensland and Victoria.

February

To provide more support around the bushfires, by brewing our own Resilience Beer alongside 200 other Australian breweries in February we donated $2,376 for Wildlife Queensland.

March

We brewed our first recycled water beer, Beer-Water Beer, for World Water Day.

COVID-19 hit – we sent our entire team to work from home, we transformed our breweries into takeaway bottle shops and launched our virtual brewery tours.

To support the venues who could no longer sell fresh beer due to mandatory closures, we took back all unopened kegs of Stone & Wood beer and credited our customers for when things opened up again.

May

We reopened our Byron Tasting Room and Brissy brewery with the ‘new normal’ sit-down bookings.

June

We launched our sparkling refreshment Sunly Seltzer!

July

After thinking we wouldn’t be able to, we released our annual Stone Beer 2020.

Our not-for-profit the inGrained Foundation awarded $100,000 to six awesome local not-for-profits in the Northern Rivers Large Grants Program 2020.

August

When the Ekka was cancelled, we brewed an Ekka-inspired strawberries and cream beer at our Brisbane brewery to raise much-needed funds for The Common Good, the fundraising initiative of The Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane.

September

We launched our lower alc beer East Point, the first craft beer of its kind.

December

Alongside our mates at Cape Byron Distillery, we released Pacific Moonshine – distilled using the excess Pacific Ale that we rescued from our customers when they had to close in March.

And throughout the year, we released five limited Counter Culture releases, reduced our energy and water usage and waste, and our Tasting Rooms donated another $30,000 to local grassroots charities via our inGrained Foundation.

Here’s to rounding out 2020 and cheers to the new year!

Last year, we were fortunate enough to spend a day volunteering with at Feros Care Wommin Bay in Kingscliff, hanging out with the residents, enjoying a few beers and singing karaoke together.

Over 12 months later, our friendship with the fun-loving Feros seniors runs strong.

In celebration of Oktoberfest, and as part of an initiative to re-engage older people with the community, Feros Care ran a four-part virtual tasting series over a month, guided by our Tasting Room manager Jess.

Every week, Jess met with a mixed group of participants (aged 68-87), who dialled in from as far south as Victoria’s Reden up to Wide Bay in Queensland, to discuss the week’s focus beer, including our Pacific Ale, Green Coast Lager, Cloud Catcher pale ale and The Gatherer.

Besides discussing the tasting notes and asking participants to score each beer, Jess guided a virtual tour of our Tasting Room in Byron Bay and talked through the brewing process and the Stone & Wood story.

In true Oktoberfest form, the participants located in Illawarra even dressed in traditional Bavarian clothing and paired our beers with German food!

This was all made possible by Feros Care’s Virtual Social Centre, an online community for participants to access online exercise, cooking and language classes, chat groups and museum tours.

Connecting with these special seniors was another reminder of how beer can bring people together – no matter the difference in age.

We have a story of innovation for you …

You probably know that we don’t like wasting things – especially beer. After all, that’s why we started our Green Feet sustainability program.

When venues around the country closed earlier this year in line with COVID-19 restrictions, many of our customers were stuck with kegs of fresh beer they could no longer sell.

To support them, we took all unopened Stone & Wood kegs back to our brewery and offered credits to our customers for when things opened back up.

Awesome – but then we had enough excess beer to overflow a swimming pool …

Until our good friends up the road at Cape Byron Distillery caught wind of it and devised an unusual plan: they decided to make a ‘beer spirit’ with our excess fresh Pacific Ale. And so, alongside Cape Byron Distillery, we bring you Pacific Moonshine.

Artfully distilled using our Original Pacific Ale, Pacific Moonshine (44%) is subtly salty and bursting with the tropical flavours of pineapple, lychee, passionate and mango, with hints of malt and citrus on the nose and palate.

Get in quick – numbers are extremely limited for this once-only special release!

With community at the heart of everything we do, we will donate $6 from every bottle to our not-for-profit, the inGrained Foundation, to support local grassroots charities in the areas we work and live.

How do I enjoy Pacific Moonshine?

The crew at Cape Byron Distillery suggest serving Pacific Moonshine with cold soda or fresh pineapple juice or try mixing it up with Cape Byron Distillery’s delicious cocktail recipe ideas.

Pacific Moonshine is available in 700ml bottle from our online store from Friday 4th December. Available only while stocks last.

The Gatherer Artist Collection is Stone & Wood merch with a twist. For the first time, we’ve partnered with local female artists and asked them to create their interpretation of The Gatherer. 

On sale in our Tasting Room in Byron Bay and Brisbane brewery, these handmade ceramic coasters by Mullumbimby-based ceramicist Jenn Johnston are founding pieces for the collection. Hand-painted and made with high-fire clay, these coasters are durable for everyday use and the perfect size for a freshly opened Gatherer can. 

Inspired by Japanese aesthetics, Jenn’s wheel-thrown handcrafted ceramics reflect her love of gardening, travel, entertaining and contemporary design. We caught up with Jenn to chat about her ceramics, switching careers, her style and where she draws inspiration.  

@jennjohnstonceramics

How has the experience of transitioning from your health research career to ceramics been? What have been the biggest challenges? 

I’ve been moving from a career in health research to ceramics for the last few years. I’m transitioning slowing but steadily to allow myself to learn the ropes of running a small business, set up my studio and establish my ranges.

Taking this time is working well for me, and I think has taken some of the stress out of the move. In saying that, not working with clay full-time yet means that I have limited time to make to meet growing demand. Although I’m not quite there yet, I can see clearly where I want to go and am excited about what’s to come.

Your work captures several different styles – from your textured pinchME pieces to your multi-toned planters. Did you start with one style and evolve or have you always produced different works?

I’ve always made a range of quite different pieces and the styles I have now have evolved over several years. I find that when an idea sparks I need to follow it to see where it leads, if it has legs and how it might evolve.

From your own works, which is your favourite style of ceramic? Why? 

It’s hard to say! I always tend to be drawn to lean towards clean lines and pieces that let the clay really shine. I have a fondness for my planters, as these are what kick-started my business. But I also love my vases and using them to display cuttings from our garden. And eating from my tableware still feels really special!

The Gatherer coasters were a challenge for me, but I’m so happy with how they turned out. I’ve loved playing with colour and patterns and will be definitely be doing more of this in the future. 

Where do you find your inspiration? How does Mullumbimby feed your creativity?

I find my beautiful home studio endlessly inspirational – my heart lifts with the possibilities every time I am in there.

Mullumbimby as a town, and the surrounding area, and the relationships I have with others are essential for my creativity: Lani (@homeinthehils) laughs when I call her a plant-goddess but she is and I love our collaborations and hatching new plans for the future together; Bec and her crew (@bakersanddaughters) fuel my making with the delicious bread and other treats from the most stylish bakery; Dede and Pauli (@archer.thestore) have an amazing selection of handmade and local jewellery, clothing, pieces for home in their gorgeous shop and have been big supporters in the creation of my new vaseART range.

And of course, our beautiful beaches and hinterland provide all the grounding nourishment I could ever need.

Who are your favourite Australian artists and/or ceramicists?

Locally, I can’t get enough of the stunning jewellery that Susie (@sunshinealley) makes in her studio just outside Mullum. A few years ago, Kristina (@inalux) swapped pots for prints. I often scroll her feed when I need a hit of mid-century inspired colour, pattern and all-round beauty. I find the ceramic pieces of @ohheygrace completely intriguing – both from an aesthetic and a technical perspective.

Tell us about your workshops – when and why did you decide to start teaching others ceramics?

I love sharing the joy of clay and introducing people to the magic of creating their own pieces. I started running workshops a few years ago and loved bringing a group of people together for a couple of hours to work with clay, have gentle conversations and time for themselves. I’m now offering private classes in my home studio and am so happy to be able to provide people with the space, time, clay and tools for them to discover the wonder of ceramics.

Do you have a particular ritual or method before you start working – of getting into the creative zone?

It depends if it is a ‘production’ day or a ‘creation’ day. On production days, I’ll have a list of things to get done and made, and it’s really just a matter getting started.

Ahead of creative days, which are far less common that productive days, I’ll be mulling over ideas and what I’m hoping to create. If I’m stuck, I try not to push it and often find the creative conundrums resolve themselves with a long beach walk with my dogs, when I can let my mind relax and wander. Then on the day itself, I generally have a pretty good idea of what I’m hoping to achieve, or at least a place to start.

Either way, music plays an important part in my studio practice and I’ll either be dancing around to my fav tracks or relaxing to classical music, depending on my mood and what needs to get done. I also listen to a lot of podcasts – two of my go-to podcasts are One Wild Ride and Hack Your Own PR – smart women, who happen to be local, speaking to creative inspiring entrepreneurs and creatives. 

What is the best thing about a creative career?

I love the freedom in being my own boss, of being able to manage my time to fit with the other ebbs and flows of life, and that the outcome is up to me and the work I put in.

I (mostly!) love the challenges of running a small business – there’s always more to learn and an ever-growing to-do list. I also cherish the friendships that have grown from being in the creative space, particularly here in a regional area and small but vibrant community.

How do you best enjoy The Gatherer?

At the end of a productive day in the studio – straight up in a glass so I can enjoy the pretty colour and rested on a coaster, of course!

 In March, our not-for-profit the inGrained Foundation launched its Northern Rivers Large Grants Program 2020, which invited local social and environmental not-for-profits with DGR status to apply for a grant between $10,000 and $30,000 and show how their projects contribute to ‘regeneration and social connection’ – this year’s theme.

With $100,000 in total funding, applications closed on 22 May after a six-week extension to allow applicants to navigate any disruptions caused by COVID-19, leaving the Grants Committee blown away by the 55 applications submitted.

Now, the inGrained Foundation is excited to announce the recipients of the Grants Program 2020, so please join us in a round of applause for the following organisations:

RAINFOREST 4 FOUNDATION

Rainforest 4 Foundation will embark on a largescale regeneration project across fire-impacted Huonbrook, Wanganui and Upper Wilsons Creek, where the organisation will engage residents, landowners, volunteers and the Aboriginal Madhima Gulga bush regeneration team in mitigating the risk of future bushfire through weeding, planting and increasing biodiversity.

MULLUM DISTRICT NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE

The Mullum District Neighbourhood Centre will launch a nutritional food relief and food sustainability project for community members experiencing financial difficulty and/or social isolation, in which participants can connect and engage in food preparation together.   

TWEED LANDCARE

Tweed Landcare will put their grant toward wildlife regeneration in the fire-affected area of Terragon in the Tweed Valley, which engages local residents and landowners in improving safety for local wildlife and installing waterers, nest boxes, hollows and sensor cameras for animal tracking.

SUPPORT FOR NEW MUMS

Volunteer-led organisation Support for New Mums will use their grant to relaunch their volunteer home-visit program for new mothers without local support networks in the Tweed Shire, with the aim to reduce isolation and create connections for participants following childbirth. 

ZERO EMISSIONS BYRON

Volunteer-run organisation Zero Emissions Byron will use their grant to part-fund their RePlant Byron Community Connection Project, which aims to drawdown carbon and reinvigorate local biodiversity around degraded pastureland. Located in nearby Bangalow, the site will be prepared for the planting of 3,500 locally grown native rainforest trees with Aboriginal firestick burning practices, locally produced biochar and the involvement of the community, local Aboriginal people and special-needs groups across two public planting days. 

AUTISM CAMP AUSTRALIA

The total funding pool also included a $15,000 ‘Employee Funded Grant’ created by our crew, who substituted their monthly carton allowance with a cash donation to the inGrained Foundation to raise the money. Together we selected Autism Camp Australia as the sixth recipient, whose ‘Employee Funded Grant’ will enable them to purchase musical and play equipment that assists the development of young people living with autism.

We at Stone & Wood and the inGrained Foundation are stoked with the results of this year’s Grants Program. We congratulate each of the successful applicants and look forward to seeing their projects come to life, and thank all the organisations who took the time to apply this year.

To learn more about the inGrained Foundation, its Grants Program and this year’s recipients, visit the inGrained Foundation website, sign up to its newsletter and follow @ingrainedfoundation

Coming together for a beer around the breathtaking Northern Rivers coastline is how people love to connect in this region. Now, as we spend more time at home and away from our close ones, there’s a certain nostalgia to these times of sharing and connection.

No one quite captures this Northern Rivers nostalgia like Byron Bay photographer Ming Nomchong, who we recently worked with for our latest Pacific Ale campaign. Taken at some of the Northern Rivers’ most iconic locations, these shots capture Pacific Ale’s original essence – summery vibes, coastal energy, slowing down – with Ming’s eye for nostalgia.

During these times, we think it’s important to slow down, take a breath and picture those places we love to share with friends – it’ll make it all the sweeter when we can return again. 

Read the full Q&A with the amazing Ming and check out a few of her photos below to take you to those happy moments.

Tell us a bit about yourself…Where are you from and what brought you to the Northern Rivers?

I was born and grew up in Sydney and spent my adolescence jumping from North to South to Inner Sydney before a calling for the quieter life, a slower lifestyle (and better surf) pulled me north to the Northern Rivers. (It also helped that mum had bought a house in Sunrise in 2005 which the family all used as the excuse and moved up and lived in for periods while we got our lives sorted. Thanks, Mum!)

What do you love about this place?

Where do I start? I think what I love most about this place is the sense of community. I love walking through town and knowing so many faces, stopping to chat in the street, catch up on what’s going on about town and the sense of belonging that I feel when I’m anywhere in the Northern Rivers. Second is the surf and then followed closely behind is the creative industry that so many amazing individuals here have built together over the years whose epicentre is the buzzing industrial estate you know today.

How long have you been in the photography game for and what/who influenced your passion?

I’ve been in and around the game since finishing uni in 2004. From working in portrait studios and shooting the odd wedding, to assisting commercial photographers back in Sydney to then building my own client base here in Byron and also nationwide. I can’t even remember wanting to ever do anything else but photography. My mum and dad both had lives in the photography industry, so I’m sure they influenced my path in some way.

What’s your style, Ming –what do you love shooting the most?

I love shooting filmy romantic, whimsical portraits of people. The analogue world has pulled me back in from my old uni days and although I still shoot digital and know there is a great place for the pixel, the grain is what gets me excited. The imperfections are what make it a perfect medium in my eyes.

Looks like you’ve shot just about every beautiful location in the world. Do any favourite places come to mind?

The Seychelles is still a standout after all these years. I’ve still never seen anything quite like this kind of paradise before. And there’s fun, fun surf…

What do you like about shooting on film?

I like that it slows me down, makes me really think about when I press my finger on that trigger button and ask: Have I thought about the correct exposure? Is the lighting right? Is my subject doing exactly what I want them to? You’ve got 24-36 frames to get what you need, so you have to make it count. You can’t just hold your finger on the shutter and spray and pray; you have to be thoughtful, not wasteful. It’s a lesson in consumption control haha!

Fave lens to work with?

It all depends on what I’m photographing. If it’s documentary style, I like it wide, 24 or 35mm. If I’m shooting portraits, I love the 24-70 or my 100mm. 

You’re down at Wategos after a big day of shooting in the hot sun. What’s your go to knock off beer?

What else? Anything by Stone & Wood of course! Keep it fresh, crisp and local all the way!

FREE-SHIPPING OFFER

We’re offering free shipping Australia-wide on all online orders this month. Use coupon code FREEDELIVERY at the checkout.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: IN THE HOPE TO PROVIDE PROSPECTIVE APPLICANTS WITH MORE SPACE TO ADAPT TO THE CURRENT CONDITIONS, WE’VE EXTENDED THE DEADLINE TO THURSDAY 21 MAY. SEE UPDATED APPLICATION GUIDELINES HERE.

It’s that time of year again – our inGrained Foundation’s Northern Rivers Large Grants Program 2020 is kicking off on Thursday 12 March with $100,000 funding available for local not-for-profits!

For the second year running, the Northern Rivers Large Grants Program 2020 invites Northern Rivers social and environmental not-for-profits with DGR status to apply for a grant between $10,000 and $30,000, with maximum 10 organisations awarded in May.

The total funding pool also includes a $10,000 ‘Employee Funded Grant’ created by our permanent team, who substituted their monthly carton allowance with a cash donation to the inGrained Foundation to raise the money.

Following a summer of bushfire disaster across NSW, Queensland and Victoria, inGrained made this year’s theme ‘regeneration and social connection’, and so are asking applicants to show how their projects contribute to these activities in our region.

This year, with help from Stone & Wood, Fixation Brewing and Granite Belt Cider Co, the inGrained Foundation is thrilled to be able to extend the funding opportunity to more local not-for-profits. With 26 wonderful applications in last year’s round, we’re really looking forward to seeing who applies this year.

We also proud to have recently donated over $70,000 via the inGrained Foundation to local and state-based fire brigades, rural fire services and drought relief efforts across NSW, Queensland and Victoria, thanks to funds we raised with Fixation Brewing and Granite Belt Cider Co.

From Thursday 12 March, Northern Rivers social and environmental not-for-profits with DGR status are encouraged to read the guidelines and apply before Thursday 21 May. All details and applications will appear on the inGrained Foundation website from Thursday 12 March.

Australians and people around the world are by now familiar with the staggering destruction caused by the recent bushfire crisis across NSW, Queensland and Victoria, in particular: several lives lost and thousands impacted, 10 million hectares burnt and potentially one billion animals wiped out. 

This has been enough for over 200 breweries around Australia and the world to unite for an initiative called Resilience Beer, a project run by the IBA inviting players in the beer industry to brew a 5% pale ale – using the same recipe – to raise funds for bushfire relief where it’s needed.

Our contribution to Resilience Beer, brewed by our current Byron resident brewer Tina, will be tapped at our Byron Bay Tasting Room and Brisbane brewery on Tuesday 25 February, with all proceeds directed to wildlife rescue and rehabilitation in fire affected areas around the country. People in Byron will also be able to enjoy a schooner of our Resilience Beer in select venues in town.

Join us for a Resilience Beer!

To celebrate the brew and the astounding national and international community response to the Australian bushfires, we’re inviting our communities to enjoy a Resilience Beer at our Byron and Brisbane breweries on Friday 28 February from 4.00–5.00pm, NSW and Queensland times respectively. Every glass of Resilience Beer sold is an important contribution to the ongoing bushfire relief effort. We’d love to see you there!

The Resilience Beer concept was first created by Californian brewery Sierra Nevada in response to the state’s Camp Fire in 2018 and was adopted by over 1,400 North American breweries, who together brewed a Resilience IPA and raised millions in relief funds.

As part of our response to the Australian bushfire crisis, together with Fixation Brewing and Granite Belt Cider Co. – and with huge support from our community – we’re thrilled to have collectively donated and pledged over $71,000 to fire brigades, rural fire services and drought relief across NSW, Queensland and Victoria.

See you on Friday 28 February!

Stone & Wood Byron Bay

100 Centennial Circuit, Byron Bay, NSW 2481

Stone & Wood Brisbane

99 Bridge Street, Fortitude Valley, QLD 4006

Besides the 100-year-old exposed beams and several shiny tanks behind the bar, one of the first things you might notice at our new brewery in Brisbane are the tables and chairs.

Crafted with mixed hardwood and black metal frames, we think the furniture’s striking lines and natural timber tones complement the brewery’s urban-industrial interior and make for beautiful drinking surfaces.

 For this, we have Gareth Robertson from Blackwood Collective in Brisbane to thank.

With a keen eye for detail, carpenter and furniture designer Gareth runs his bespoke furniture workshop Blackwood Collective out of Stafford, Brisbane, and specialises in carpentry and joinery. Gareth’s approach champions functionality, aesthetics and both classic and modern techniques, while his work captures his experience in high-end renovations and a creativity honed through world travel.

The name Blackwood Collective pays homage to Gareth’s favourite timber, Tasmanian Blackwood. A proud Indigenous man, Gareth prizes Blackwood for its traditional uses by Indigenous peoples as boomerangs, spear throws, clap sticks and other tools.

Check out of Gareth’s work @blackwoodcollective and next time you’re in the brewery, be sure to enjoy his pieces.  

Footage and photos by: @andymck

In our opinion, some work days are best spent singing Frank Sinatra with local senior citizens.

Giving back to our community is an important part of our work culture at Stone & Wood, and so we’re lucky enough to enjoy extra annual leave to dedicate to volunteering.

Our crew has the option to choose an organisation close to their heart or otherwise jump onto a team volunteer day – which a handful of us did recently Feros Care Wommin Bay, an aged care village by Kingscliff Beach and just 40 minutes up the road.

An open-plan village swept with sea breeze, Feros Care Wommin Bay is home to some 70 residents with varying care and support needs – and all with a story to share. Here, we hoped not only to help out during the residents’ daily activities, but also to lend an ear and share quality company.

After morning tea and cake – with our creative and community manager Jaz slinging coffees on the machine – we each paired up with a resident and, accompanied by Lisa, Kai and Cate from Feros, walked the 500 metres to Kingscliff Beach.

The winter sun filtered through the cloud cover as about 20 of us rested on the timber beach lookout, spotting whales offshore and marvelling the display of steel blue and turquoise blending through the water.

Here, we had the privilege of chatting one-on-one with our buddy residents, hearing childhood recounts and updates on their children. One resident, Bonnie, 98, recalled in amazing detail how she and her brother as kids would catch live worms around the Tweed River to catch saltwater fish.

We later shared a relaxed lunch before making our way to the large common room for the main event: karaoke.

Shortly after Tasting Room manager Jess and marketing coordinator Rory warmed the stage with a Greece ‘Summer Nights’ rendition, our audience grew to a full-house, with residents walking and wheeling in from all over the village.

There we spent the afternoon passing the mic among us – including to a handful of residents who sung Frank Sinatra’s ‘My Way’ and several other classic hits, with no shortage of gusto.

Our day at Feros Care Wommin Bay was nothing short of awesome; each of us left with their heart full and plans to return. What’s more, Lisa from Feros even sparked the idea of arranging a brewery tour for some of the citizens. Here or there, we look forward to catching up with these guys again!

...and the man behind this epic Pacific Ale tinnie sketch

Last week, whilst doing our daily flick through the gram for inspiring beery news and content, a notification popped up – It was a tag from Sydney based artist Dean Spinks. The post what we thought at the time was a close-up photograph of our Original Pacific Ale can, but after flicking through Dean’s Instagram account of hand-sketched portraits and photorealism art, we quickly realised it was a drawing. Dean had sketched every little detail of the floral design, the shadowing and coloured in the entire can with the signature Pacific Ale orange using a blend of light yellows and dark oranges. A piece of art that took concentration, time and precision.

We reached out to Dean to find out a little more about the man behind the can drawing and asked him about his love and passion for art and of course, beer.

Meet Dean Spinks…

Give us a bit of background about yourself.G’day! I’m a former graphic designer turned pen-artist from Cronulla. I’m big into photorealism, and draw most of my subjects larger than life. Drawing exclusively with pen, my artworks take an excruciatingly long time thanks to my crosshatching process, but that’s all part of the fun!

What inspired you to get into this style of design?Well, I think the love for photorealism just comes from the way my brain is wired up. I could never handle doing abstract type art because I never knew when a piece was finished. I can totally appreciate that kind of art, but personally when I’m making art, I’m only content when I feel like I couldn’t add any more detail.

I started drawing with pens because all my previous pencil and graphite work would smudge and lack the clarity I wanted, so I would never finish it. Sure, pens are permanent so there’s no room for error, but the detail I can get with a 0.03mm marker is second to none. So when I worked out I could crosshatch thousands of tiny lines to make a drawing, my style really took a direction from there.

How long have you been doing it?I’ve been at it about 4 years now. After being stuck behind a computer in an office for 10 or so years, I started drawing just to have a creative outlet that wasn’t computer based, and wasn’t dictated by design briefs. I really got a lot out of it and can’t believe how far I’ve come in a few years – funny what happens when you practice, right?!

What is your most memorable piece?There’s a piece I did last year for the Dobell Prize for Drawing. It’s kind of a blend of two faces. I really like that direction because it blends portraiture and photorealism, but it’s not just a straight up portrait. It’s just a really interesting result, I could stare at it for hours. I’m really proud of that piece and want to explore this direction more in the future.

The Pacific Ale can drawing is epic! How long did it take? Any challenges?I’m so stoked with how that one turned out! I’ve only just started introducing colour to my work, but I’ve been getting so much good feedback from that one, I think it’s a winner! It took me around 30 hours, which is relatively quick compared to some of my other pieces. Actually, yeah, blending the colours was pretty challenging. I didn’t have the right coloured markers, only really light yellow and dark orange, so I had to blend them by crosshatching them to create a mid-orange colour. Oh and how could I forget all those floral details, that took some careful work!

Looks like you have a love for good beer too, any styles in particular you love?Yeah I love to sink a good pale ale! I reckon the craft beer industry as a whole in Australia is in a really cool place. Lots of great breweries are doing really good things, they all have their own personalities and are making great beers. There’s a lot of support from the breweries for artists and musicians, that’s what gave me the idea to draw some tinnies.

Any other passions on the side?Yeah I absolutely love surfing and get out there most days. I’ve also been kickboxing most of my life which probably isn’t your average artist’s hobby, but it’s just so much fun.

What’s your next challenge?I’ve actually got an exciting project I’m working on at the moment for one of Australia’s biggest portraiture prizes. I just did a sitting with a Hip Hop legend and I’m in the process of starting a massive piece featuring him. More to come on that one!

Finish this sentence. I love drinking a cold beer whilst…Bullshitting to my mates about the waves I just got. Haha, pretty cliche but there’s no better time for a beer than when you’re surfed out!

Check out Dean’s work below or jump over to his website and Instagram.

They say it takes a village to raise a child. Sadly, in our society a lot of this sentiment has been lost and what we have found, as more of our team start families, is that the financial considerations of childcare can add pressure to the decision of coming back to work.

We’re inspired by the idea of being a village brewery and see our team as our family – so we wanted to help …

We’re excited to have recently launched a childcare support benefit for primary carers who are part of our Stone & Wood family, designed to help new parents get back to work when they’re ready.

We get that the decision to get back into the workforce can be stressful, so we’ve added financial support for childcare to our team’s benefits. This allows our crew to access up to $5,000 to cover professional childcare fees within 18 months of birth or adoption of their child when they return to work.

Importantly, our Stone & Wood crew values family and diversity, and we believe this runs strongly in the Northern Rivers community, too. And so, to facilitate both parents in their career plans, the benefit also extends to the partner of a Stone & Wood employee, even if they are employed elsewhere.

For those not yet parents, a primary carer is the person who primarily looks after the child, so that can be the Mum or Dad. We hope this benefit makes that decision to return to work a little easier for members of our Stone & Wood family and their partners.

Light, bright and with a killer view, Beach Byron Bay is one of those spots that is synonymous with our east coast town.

The beachfront restaurant/café have been long time supporters of Stone & Wood, pairing our beers with their locally sourced, coastal inspired dishes.

Just metres from the shore at Clarke’s Beach and a short stroll up to The Pass, the most easterly point in Australia, Beach Byron Bay is everything you could imagine in a relaxing coastal food experience. As you walk through the white beach house doors past the marble bar, the dining area opens up to a beautiful beach deck with views overlooking Julian Rocks, crystal blue water of the Pacific and bright white sand that meets the green rolling hills.

Beach Byron Bay entrance

While you sit in the shade on the deck in the evening enjoying a cold Pacific Ale and Green Coast Lager on tap or a delicious cocktail, you’re greeted by a stunning sunset that casts pink and orange hues across The Bay. The different tones of the hinterlands that meet the Pacific Ocean will have you in awe and keep you there for a dinner under the stars.

We’ve teamed up with Beach Byron to have our beer on tap exclusively at their venue alongside other local beverages and produce to provide an epic Byron Bay experience. The menu reflects the surrounding landscape with a beachside twist, filled with local flavours. If you feel like something quick and easy, their Kiosk offers a variety of delicious takeaway foods, drinks and snacks you can enjoy whilst chilling in the lush green garden out the front.

PACIFIC ALE BEER BATTERED FISH AND CHIPS

Last week we dropped into Beach Byron and caught up with their chef Enrico. Enrico takes inspiration from the different seasons and the local organic farmers’ markets to produce a quality dining experience. This shines through in the menu creations which reflect their beach ethos and relaxed Byron Bay vibes.

Over a couple of coldies on the deck watching fun waves roll through Main Beach, Enrico let us in on a few kitchen secrets to making the mouthwatering Baccala Fritters featuring our Garden Ale and a crowd favourite on their kiosk menu, the Stone & Wood Pacific Ale Beer battered fish. Both enjoyable with an ice cold beer in hand.

 

STONE & WOOD BACCALA FRITTERS AND THE STONE PASSION COCKTAIL

After lunch, Pietro, Beach Byron bartender and finalist in the Brookie’s x Stone & Wood Brewstillery Mix Masters competition mixes up a Stone Passion cocktail using Stone & Wood Pacific Ale. Served and enjoyed watching the sun start to set behind the hinterland, the perfect finish to a sun kissed day in The Bay.

Check out the recipe below for Enrico’s Baccala Fritters and the Stone & Wood Pacific Ale beer battered fish with chips as well as the Stone Passion cocktail courtesy of Pietro. These recipes are to be enjoyed and shared with good friends during warm summer days.

@beachbyronbay | Beach Byron Bay

Download recipe PDF here

STONE & WOOD BACCALA FRITTERS

Fritter Mix
100g steamed potatoes
150g milk blenched Baccala
250g Stone & wood choux
Stone & Wood Choux
250g eggs
150g flour
125g Stone & Wood Garden Ale
125g milk
110g butter
5g salt

Passionfruit Mayonnaise
2 Eggs yolks
½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
50g passion fruit pulp seedless
2 pinches of salt
250 g vegetable oil

For the Stone & wood choux
Bring the beer, milk, butter and salt to the boil in a medium saucepan
Once the mixture reaches boiling point add the flour and cook it off for 2 minutes always mixing Cool down the mix and then add 1 egg at the time making sure the mixture is smooth and well mixed at every egg.

For the fritters
In a medium mixing bowl add the steamed potatoes and the baccala, with the help of a whisk smash the mixture together
Add 250g of Stone & Wood choux into the bowl and incorporate to the potatoes and baccala with a spoon In a saucepan bring the vegetable oil to 170 degrees, with an oiled tablespoon pick up a dollop of mixture and drop it in the hot oil, fry evenly for 4 to 5 minutes depending on the size. Once cooked put the fritters on kitchen paper to get rid of the excess oil, season with salt and serve hot

For the passionfruit mayonnaise
Add yolks, salt, mustard and the passion fruit pulp to a blender, then slowly add the vegetable oil until the mixture thickens to a mayonnaise consistency
Makes 20 Fritters

STONE PASSION

20ml Lemon Juice
15ml Sugar Syrup
30ml Sailor Jerry
15ml Passion Fruit
90ml Stone & Wood Pacific Ale
Rim a Martini glass with cane sugar and Italian cherry syrup
Add all the above ingredients into a shaker over Ice
Shake vigorously
Strain into a martini glass with sugar and syrup rim
Garnish with Passionfruit pulp

STONE & WOOD BEER BATTERED FISH

500g Self Raising Flour
1 Litre Pacific Ale
180g Fresh Snapper
In a bowl mix flour and beer together until smooth consistency
Cut the snapper into 180g portions
Place fig into the batter and hold above the mixture getting rid of any extra batter
Place gently into the boiling oil
Leave in the oil for 5 minutes or until golden
Place on a paper to drain excess oil
Sprinkle with salt and serve with your favourite sauce

There’s this incredibly satisfying feeling that comes from knowing you grew something yourself. The time, effort, patience and hope all contribute to that moment of seeing, then enjoying the fruits of your labour – wholesome food that is nourishing and real.

Those hours spent, back hunched, preparing and planting are in the hope that the dirty residue left under your nails and the pulsating ant bites are all worth it in the end…

 This time last year, our team spent a humid spring morning planting ginger with the legends from The Farm. The northerly wind was already up by the time we plunged our ginger filled hands into the rich red soil. As you look out across The Farm’s fields, there are heritage-breed pigs, Scottish Highland cattle and chickens, all of which roam freely and are used for meat and eggs in the on-site restaurant Three Blue Ducks, cafe and produce store, along with the lush green veggies (and vibrant sunflowers). They use sustainable farming practices and their goal is to grow, feed and educate.

They had for some time been keen to use ginger they’d grown in a beer, so we thought why not?! Ginger grows abundantly in the Northern Rivers and there wouldn’t be a basket at the farmers markets that doesn’t have a bulb.

So with the ginger harvested, our head brewer Caolan and the team came up with an amber ale that reminds quite a few of us of one of our favourite late night cocktails, the Dark N’ Stormy….

With a gorgeous copper hue and a zesty aroma of lime, ginger and mint, this amber ale is summery and refreshing, having had half a kilo of mint added into the whirlpool. We then added a kilo of our own grown ginger. That, along with the zest and juice of 30 limes, was dry-hopped into the fermenter. Half-way through the ferment, we settled our brew into a Husk distillery rum barrel to soak up further colour, flavour and aroma. All this contributing towards a finishing mouthfeel that is light, tangy and will keep your warm for a breezy sunset at The Wreck.

We only brewed a handful of kegs which will be staying in our Byron tasting room, so if you’re around town drop in over the next few days for a try!

 

Talented people magnate to this part of the world. Most bring their experience and their passion, others find it… Jenn Johnston is the latter.

Working from an open-air studio in a quaint side street of Mullumbimby, Jenn is a local ceramicist. Spending her time turning, throwing and creating clay into unique ceramic pieces, she also runs workshops in the local area and helps coordinate the annual North Coast Mud Trail.

Jenn hooked the team up with beer steins as a part of our Christmas present last year and when you come to the brewery, you’ll see some sitting on desks acting as flower vases, others being held preciously in meetings, filled with hot coffee and a few being sipped from by the crew having knock off beers in the arvo.

Inspired by her craftsmanship, stunning ceramics and way of life, we spent some time catching up about all things clay, local life and the simple joys of creating something that’s handcrafted…

So, how did your love for creating and working with clay come about?
I had been drawn to ceramics for a number of years, particularly the mesmerising rhythm of the pottery wheel. In 2014, I visited some studios on the North Coast Mud Trail and met my first teacher, Karen Jennings. A few months later, my sister-in-law gave me a throwing course with Karen for my birthday and I was hooked!

Have you always found joy working with your hands?
Yes, but it took me a while to find my thing. I have always craved a creative outlet and in recent years I’ve experimented with various mediums – painting, paper work, cooking, gardening – most of which I don’t have time for, now that I’m obsessed with clay!

What excites you about being a ceramicist?
Clay is amazing. The endless possibilities excite me – what you make is really only limited by your imagination. Opening a kiln after a glaze firing is exciting, and nerve-racking – there’s no guarantee about how pieces are going to turn out. Working to create the pieces I see in my mind excites me, and nutting out the challenges along the way is really rewarding.

Where do you source your clay from?
Northern Rivers Pottery Supplies in Lismore – Madeline and Ove are great and have been really supportive of me over the last few years. Their business got smashed by the floods last year, so it’s great to be able to support them. They’re an important part of our local clay community.

Pursuing a creative career, what are a few challenges you have overcome/faced?
I’m trying to learn to love the paperwork and keeping on top of all the admin is a challenge; and there are definitely challenges in learning how to run a small business. I’m lucky to have some good friends and mentors who I can turn to for advice and guidance as my business grows.

Are elements of your life away from work influenced by pottery’s ‘slower more simple’ nature?
Working with clay has taught me many things, and has helped me to slow down and be more aware of my intentions and how I live my life. Living simply and thoughtfully is also made easier in the Northern Rivers – by the Farmers’ Markets, the creative and supportive community, the climate, the beautiful beaches and hinterland, all of which encourage us to slow down and appreciate what we have.

How often can you be found in the studio?… Do you stick to a 9-5 regimented schedule?
I work at the University of Sydney’s Centre for Rural Health 3 days a week, but pretty much any day I’m not there, I’m in the studio. The flow of my studio days depends a bit on what stage I’m up to in the making process. Most mornings, I’ll try to do an hour or so of admin or paperwork first. Once I’m in the studio. I’ll be on the wheel or hand-building, packing or unpacking the kiln, glazing, or packing pieces ready to be shipped to my stockists.

Talk to us about the North Coast Mud Trail and how it has grown over the years?
The North Coast Mud Trail is part of the national Australian Ceramics Association open studio weekend, held every year in August. The Northern Rivers has a big (and growing) community of potters and the Mud Trail is a great way for people to get out and see potters in their studios, participate in workshops, see demonstrations and buy pieces directly from the makers.

Do you have any secret projects lined up for the year ahead we should know about?
Well yes, but they’re secret so…

Share with us what inspires you most…
I have so much love for clay and what it has brought to my life. This is felt by people as they use my pieces and this, in turn, brings them joy.

To find out more about Jenn Johnston’s work, follow her on Instagram @jennjohnstonceramics or check out her website and online store www.jennjohnstonceramics.com

 

As a national not-for-profit, the inGrained Foundation’s mission is to support grassroots, environmental and social charities in the local areas where funds are donated. By fostering long-term partnerships and responding to urgent situations of need, it aims to create sustained positive change by directing funds to support the community where and when it’s needed.

Since 2013, we have operated a community program under the inGrained banner which has raised and donated more than $630,000 to a long list of not-for-profits, grassroots organisations and individuals in their communities.

By establishing the inGrained Foundation, we’ve created a formal separate entity and have made the commitment to annually donate $1/100L of beer brewed to the not-for-profit going forward.

In addition to the annual donation, we will partner with inGrained for our own events, such as our annual Open Day in Murwillumbah (14 April) and Festival of the Stone (9 June), raising funds for nominated local charities in the area.

The Foundation will continue the great work our team have done towards achieving the vision of, helping grassroots organisations make meaningful progress in the community.

Inspired by the idea of being a village brewery and giving back to the community, the act of supporting the people who support us has always been a part of how we do business. The inGrained Foundation will now manage our donations going forward, together with raising further funds to create social change.

The inGrained Foundation plans to be a sustainable not-for-profit, by investing part of the funds in ethical investments.

The foundation will focus on building a pool of funds so that investment income can form a part of future funding streams. This means the community can rely on the foundation to help out future generations.

The inGrained Foundation will partner with aligned charities to create progress in their communities whilst also being able to provide timely support when the local community needs it most. In the future, a granting program will be established to provide a mechanism for charitable organisations to apply for funding.

To find out more and keep up to date with the inGrained Foundation’s developments and community activity, check out it’s official website www.ingrainedfoundation.com.au.

“As a species it is stories that distinguish us” Richard Flanagan

Profiling passionate people from the Northern Rivers who lead a conscious lifestyle, Stories of the Sea tells tales of salty locals and their connection to our community, the environment, their craft and the water…

Our latest short film, launched at the Byron Bay Surf Festival’s 2018 Sunset Cinema, features local surf photographer Anrielle Hunt, alongside Uncle Ray, who with a smile, has been surfing The Pass every day since 1964.

Despite being from different generations, discover how these two salty souls share the same love for the ocean and on living a slower life… The way it should be.

Take a glimpse into the creative world of Swedish born sketch artist, Jonas Claesson. A world where perfect waves break in outer space…where a moose, a bear and a dingo share empty lineups and the surf is always 6ft and offshore…The type of world a surfer dreams about.

With a passion for the ocean, Jonas mixes strong references from his new home in Australia with his Scandinavian roots. You may have stumbled upon @Jonas_draws whilst flicking your thumb through Instagram on a quest for something refreshing and something exciting, and found yourself immersed in the fantasy surf world that Jonas lives in.

A couple of weeks back, we were lucky to have Jonas perform a live illustration at our event at the art space of the 107 Project for Sydney Beer Week.
Surrounded by a crowd of partygoers and beer lovers, he took to a piece of plywood with a sharpie to free draw peeling right handers in Byron Bay, with our beer truck ‘Clyde’ parked up on the beach…An illustration Jonas says is the largest he’s ever done. He’s now adding the final touches to the Byron masterpiece and It’ll have you dreaming up your next surf adventure.

We caught up with Jonas to discuss the piece and have a chinwag about all things art…

So, where are you from Jonas?

I am from Sweden, moved to the Gold Coast in 2002. About 2 years ago we moved down to Freshwater / Sydney.

How did you get into this style of illustration?

I think it is just a natural progression and always changes a little bit over time I have noticed. In general I like to draw the things that I like to do, or aspire to do.

Any influences?

Lots of influences, but I find more inspiration in everyday things I see and photography usually. I think Instagram is amazing for following all the great photographers out there doing great work.

How long have you been drawing for?

Since I was a kid, always did extra art classes in school. Then one year of art school in Stockholm before 3 years of design studies in Australia.

Describe your illustrations in 3 words.

Hmm, tricky…. Ocean Peaceful Fun – Super hard to try and describe something you create.

Do you have a favourite piece and why?

I think one that is called; Searching – Part 2. Just really liked how it came out and did not end up at all as I was expecting. Another one that comes to mind is called: Migration. That was cool because during the night when it was drying on the balcony a possum jumped on it so it tilted and the paint made this really cool sky. I like to think it is probably my only ever collaboration with a possum, but who knows.

Are some of your illustrations real moments that you’ve experienced?

Some are definitely inspired by real events, for example sitting in the line up and seeing whales playing further out. I feel that that we as surfers are so fortunate to see the world from the water as we do. So many magical moments that is hard to explain to someone that does not spend much time in the ocean.

Is the moose that features in your drawings your spirit animal?

It was not in the beginning, but I think it might slowly becoming just that 

Tell us a bit about the piece you are working on at the moment.

Right now I am working on my second ever piece on plywood and the largest one I have ever done and it is for you Stone and Wood guys. It is inspired by the Byron area and your cool Landcruiser.

What do you enjoy most about Byron Bay?

The natural beauty is the first thing that comes to mind. I have had some really nice days in Byron, and the stretch between Byron and Ballina I think is one of my favorite stretches of coast anywhere.

Where can people find the work of Jonas Claesson?

Instagram and my shop:

instagram.com/jonas_draws
shop.jonasclaesson.com

Here’s a deeper look into the creative world of Jonas Draws

WHEN GOOD BEER MEETS GOOD BURGERS…

What happens when a publican meets a butcher and two hatted chefs that share a passion for burgers? They go into business and launch a mouthwatering burger joint with fresh ingredients and good beer to match. What happens when the publican, the butcher and the two hatted chefs meet a brewer? A delicious beer inspired burger dubbed “The Stone & Wood” burger is born.

Tom Robinson, Tim Perrum (chefs), Tim Montgomery (Butcher) and Ty Burford (Publican) are the four mates behind Newcastle’s favourite burger place, Rascals Burgers, Chicken, Anarchy…A hang out for dude food lovers, with an original take on the 1950s American Diner…and some very creative decor.

When the Rascals met with our crew over a couple of cold Pacific Ales one evening in Newcastle, they got chatting about a doing a collab together. They wanted to try something different…Rather than using beer as an ingredient in the burger, our Head Brewer Caolan worked with the Rascal Head Chefs Tim and Tom to design and craft a burger they’d most enjoy with a cold frothy in hand….Thus, “The Stone & Wood” was created.

To celebrate its release, we’re taking over the taps at Rascals for the week, pouring cold refreshing Pacific Ale and Green Coast to wash down our delicious collab wagyu beef and chicken burger.

We caught up with Tom to have a little chat about a big burger, how the collaboration came about and what inspired the creation.

Cheers Tom!

Tell us a bit about Rascal.

Rascal, Burgers, Chicken, Anarchy is a concept we put together last year its a collaboration between myself (Tom) Timothy Montgomery, Ty Burford and Tim Perrum. Tim and I are both hatted chefs who spent our lives in fine dining, we have known each other for 15 years. Ty is a very successful Newcastle publican and restaurateur and Tim Perrum is a local cattle buyer and butcher. We have put our different skill sets together to form Rascal a place we wanted to have and hang out in for Newcastle

How did the collab come about?

We are massive fans of Stone & Wood and have been pouring Pacific Ale since day 1. Ty has been a big supporter of the brand at his other venues too.
We met Steve when he was up in Newcastle and over a Pacific Ale we thought it would be great to do a Stone & Wood inspired burger but instead of us using the beer in a sauce or relish we thought why not get the brewer (Caolan Vaughan) to come up with some ideas for a burger he would like to eat with his beers.

What is this beautiful creation? 

So we took Caolan’s idea of a burger with chicken skin, Fiore gras, caramelized onion and added a few of our thoughts to create this week’s Burger of the Week
– Burger Bun
– chicken liver pate
– Red onion jam
– Roast chicken skin seasoning
– Chicken remoulade (poached chicken with mayo, mustard, tomato relish, pickles, capers, tarragon
– Beef patty
– Lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle

What style of beer is it best enjoyed with?

I think it works well with both the stone and wood beers we offer. We have both Pacific Ale and Green Coast lager this week to tie in with the burger.

How long is she on the Rascal menu for?

till Wednesday next week

What did you name the burger?

“The Stone & Wood” of course…

Where can we find it?

At Rascal 266 King st Newcastle 2300

Any brews consumed during the making of this burger?

hahahah it was conceptualised over a Pacific Ale! And there is always a responsible amount of beer being consumed here at rascal.
I’ve been getting into a lot of the session ales around at the moment. I was also back in South Australia recently and went to the Prancing Pony Brewhouse which was amazing.

Here’s a look at the Stone & Wood x Rascals masterpiece.

 

Our crew enjoying a “Stone & Wood” burger and beer at Rascals