It’s that time of year again, Stone Beer is back! Join our in-house Cicerone Jess Flynn as she dives into the 2025 release of our iconic woodfired porter.

Brewed with hot stones and designed for slow sips by the fire, this year’s vintage is rich, roasty and full of dark chocolate and coffee notes, with a smooth, lingering finish.

Say hello to Easy Pale, the newest addition to the Stone & Wood lineup! Our in-house Cicerone Jess is here to give you the lowdown on this mid-strength, full-flavoured Pale Ale that’s balanced, refreshing, and loaded with tropical notes of mango, guava and mandarin.⁠

In this episode of Taste Test with Jess, we’re cracking open Easy Pale – a go-to beer for when you want something lighter without losing flavour. Jess breaks down the tasting notes, the perfect food pairings, and why Easy Pale is set to be your new fridge favourite. Hit play, crack a tin, and get tasting.

Step inside the sunlit shed of Byron Bay chairmaker Will Burke, where timber is transformed by hand, and every chair tells a deeper story. On a quiet stretch of Myocum Rd, we spent the afternoon talking craft, connection to country, and the beauty of slowing down.

From traditional techniques to a philosophy rooted in regeneration and patience, Will’s work is a meditation in making. 

Tucked away in Byron’s misty hinterland, Simon Clarey crafts surfboards by hand, each one a collaboration between maker and surfer, shaped with intention and feel.

At A Mano Surf, the process is everything. From the first cut to the final coat, it’s a dusty, delicate dance of focus and patience. Every board is shaped through a deep understanding of flow, form, and individuality.

For Simon, shaping is more than a skill, it’s a shared language between surfer and sea.

There’s something about Aussie summer that calls for a beer that’s light in the hand but big on refreshment, something that plays nice with sunshine, salty skin, and the sizzle of the barbie. So, when life gave us lemons, we didn’t just make lemonade… we brewed a Radler.

Our Citrus Radler is our freshest take on a classic thirst-quencher, part beer, part citrus hit, and all easy drinking. Crafted with real Aussie lemon purée, with notes and aromas of grapefruit and orange, and our go-to Galaxy hops, it’s a little zesty, a little juicy, and unmistakably Stone & Wood.

Born and brewed for long summer days, Radler is our way of saying: you don’t need to pick between beer and refreshment. You can have both, in the one tin.

Brewed for the Good Times

Radler isn’t just beer with a twist. It’s a full-on refresh. A mid-strength quencher that still tastes like beer (because it is beer), but with an added hit of natural Australian lemon puree, plus grapefruit and orange flavours to round things out.

It starts with a base not too far from our beloved Pacific Ale, pale and wheat malts, a little less haze, a touch more colour, and of course, Galaxy hops doing what they do best. But what really brings it to life is when we throw in real lemon during the whirlpool and layer on citrus post-ferment. Think zesty, fresh and bright, like a lemon tree in full sun.

Radler vs the Rest

Let’s be clear: Radler isn’t a gimmick, or a shandy in disguise. It’s a style with history, depth and a whole lot of sessionable charm.

Compared to our Pacific Ale, Citrus Radler pours with a touch more colour, a little less haze, and plenty more citrus character. Our brewers spent years perfecting the recipe to strike just the right balance, refreshing and approachable, without being overly sweet or fake fruity, and still appealing to beer lovers who enjoy the real thing. The result is a crisp, citrus-forward beer that tastes natural and spot on, brewed the way we do best.

It’s also 4% ABV mid-strength, making it the perfect plus-one for beach hangs, park hangs, backyard hangs… you get the vibe. If Pacific Ale is your go-to, think of Radler as your summer fling.

A Beer for Everyone

Citrus Radler is brewed with more than just the classic beer drinker in mind. It’s for people who usually reach for a spritz, cocktail or RTD, but still want something refreshing and a little different, and it’s for the beer lovers too. After plenty of trial and testing, we’ve found that even the most dedicated beer drinkers have fallen for it. That’s because it’s crafted to sit in that sweet spot: approachable, balanced, and full of real character.

At its core, you’ve got a smooth blend of pale and regen malts, malted wheat, and a good hit of Galaxy hops, enough to give it that satisfying beer backbone without tipping into heavy or bitter territory. Then comes the fruit notes and aromas: lemon, grapefruit and orange, which bring a bright, zesty lift that feels more like summer in a glass than a typical “fruit beer.” Nothing fake, nothing over-sweet, just crisp and refreshing flavour that feels familiar and new all at once.

It’s the kind of beer you can bring to any occasion and know it’ll go down well, whether you’re sharing a round with your best mates, cracking one with your partner after work, or passing a can to your mum or dad at a long lunch. Citrus Radler is a beer that doesn’t draw lines between beer fans and non-beer fans. It’s brewed for everyone, made for sunny afternoons, and ready whenever the esky is.

Built for Summer Moments

From beach days and backyard cricket to long lunches that turn into lazy afternoons, this beer was made to keep up with you, not slow you down.

Bring it to your next picnic, pull it from the esky after a surf, or crack one open while you wait for the prawns to hit the grill. However you spend your summer, Radler’s the kind of beer that just fits in.

Same Purpose, Different Path

We’re proud to brew Citrus Radler here in Byron Bay as part of our broader commitment to good beer, good times and doing good by the planet. As a certified B Corp, we’re always thinking about how we can leave things better than we found them, from sourcing locally to supporting our community.

And honestly? If that means brewing a zesty, sessionable beer made for sunshine and sharing… we reckon that’s a pretty good place to start.

You know how it goes. You’re standing around the esky, crack open a cold can of our new Citrus Radler, and someone throws it out there:

“So... it’s just a fancy shandy, right?”

Fair question. At first glance, they might seem similar, both easy-drinking, citrusy and built for hot arvos. But when you dig a little deeper, you’ll find that a Radler and a shandy are more like distant cousins than twins. They might show up to the same backyard BBQ, but they’ve definitely taken different roads to get there.

Let’s unpack it.

What’s a Shandy?

A shandy is your classic mix, usually one part beer (like a lager or light ale), one part lemonade or lemon squash. It’s blended on the spot, whether it’s your local bartender pouring it from the tap, or you mixing one yourself at home. 

It’s casual, nostalgic and has its place. But here’s the key, a shandy isn’t brewed. It’s a half-half combo. Part beer. Part soft drink.

So, while it’s refreshing, the flavour is usually sweeter, less structured, and definitely not designed for beer lovers chasing real depth or balance.

And a Radler?

A Radler, on the other hand, is a purpose-brewed style of beer that’s been around for over a century. It was first poured in Germany for cyclists looking for something cold, light and sessionable post-ride. (Fun fact: “Radler” actually means “cyclist” in German.)

But unlike a shandy, a true Radler is brewed from the ground up. It’s not beer mixed with lemonade, it’s beer infused with real citrus during the brewing process. The result? Something light, fruity, naturally zesty and still proudly beer.

Enter: Our Citrus Radler

We’ve always brewed with the Northern Rivers lifestyle in mind, long summer days, salt in the air, backyard hangs that roll into the evening. So, when we decided to create our take on a Radler, we knew it had to tick a few boxes:

• Light and easy on the palate
• Full of fresh citrus character
• Brewed with intention, not mixed after the fact
• Mid-strength, sessionable, and undeniably refreshing

Our Citrus Radler is all that, and then some. We brew it with Galaxy hops, regenerative malts, and add 100% Aussie lemon purée during the whirlpool. Once fermentation’s done, we finish it with natural orange and grapefruit flavours to dial up the citrus.

At 4.0% ABV, it’s crisp and refreshing without compromising on taste, with just enough zing to make you want another.

And unlike a shandy, there’s no lemonade or soft drink in sight. Just beer, crafted with care, and a little citrus twist.

Same Purpose, Different Path

Both Radlers and shandies exist for the same reason: to quench thirst. They're made for summer, for sweaty afternoons, for post-surf chill outs and backyard hangs with the crew.

But where a shandy leans on lemonade, a Radler is brewed with integrity, it’s real beer, made with real fruit, and built from the ground up to be bright, citrusy and sessionable.

At Stone & Wood, we don’t just want to make something “like a shandy.” We want to make something that’s uniquely us, something brewed with the same purpose and care as everything else we make. And we want it to reflect who we are and where we’re from.

That’s why we use locally grown fruit, regeneratively farmed grains, and why we’re proud to be a Certified B Corp, committed to leaving the Earth better than we found it. From our solar-powered brewery to our community-focused inGrained Foundation, we believe good beer should do good too.

The Verdict?

Next time someone asks if our Citrus Radler is just a fancy shandy, feel free to smile and say:

“Nah mate, it’s a proper beer with a citrus twist.”

Same thirst-quenching vibe, different story in every can.

Here at Stone & Wood, we’ve always believed that brewing good beer goes hand in hand with doing good by our community and the patch of Earth we’re lucky to call home.

We’re born and brewed in the Northern Rivers, and while we take our beer seriously, we don’t take ourselves too seriously. Except when it comes to looking after the planet, that’s something we’re proud to put front and centre.

So, what happens after the brew’s done and the cold ones are poured? A lot, actually. Each batch of beer leaves behind by-products, spent grain, hops, yeast, and instead of chucking it, we’ve figured out better ways to use the good stuff that’s left over.

What Exactly Are Beer By-Products?

Glad you asked. Beer by-products are the leftovers from the brewing process, and there’s more to it than you might think. The big one is spent grain, mostly malted barley that’s been used to extract sugars for fermentation. It’s hearty, fibrous, and still packed with nutrients.

Then there’s hop trub, the leftover leafy green bits from hops that give beer its bitterness and aroma, plus yeast sediment and other organic material from fermentation. All of it’s natural, but it piles up quickly, which is why it’s important to make sure it doesn’t go to waste.

Feeding Local Livestock

Once we’ve mashed in and drained the grainy goodness, what’s left is a heap of spent grain, still packed with fibre and protein, and smelling like warm porridge on a winter’s morning. Rather than letting it go to waste, we pass it on to local farmers who use it to feed their livestock.

It’s a win-win. They get top-notch feed for their animals, and we get to keep it local and circular, just the way we like it. Plus, there’s something pretty satisfying about sipping a Stone & Wood while knowing the grain from that beer helped fatten up a happy cow on a nearby farm.

Composting What Can’t Be Fed

We also make sure that anything not suitable for animal feed, like hop trub or spent yeast, gets composted and returned to the soil. We work with local growers and garden projects to help boost soil health and feed backyard veggie patches across the region.

There’s something special about knowing that our brewing leftovers are helping cherry tomatoes grow in community gardens or leafy greens flourish in someone’s backyard, it’s all part of our journey from coldie to compost.

Proudly B Corp Certified

Being B Corp certified means we meet the highest standards for social and environmental impact, not just in our words, but in how we operate every day.

From the way we brew and package our beer to how we look after our crew, community and backyard, every decision we make gets filtered through the lens of doing better.

Recycling our beer by-products is just one piece of the puzzle. It's all part of a bigger picture, using business as a force for good and making sure our beer leaves a positive mark, not just a footprint.

Brewed With Care for Our Home

Everything we do here at Stone & Wood ties back to the place we call home. From the people we brew with to the way we treat our waste, we’re committed to leaving the Northern Rivers better than we found it.

Recycling our by-products is just one part of the puzzle, but it’s a piece we take seriously. Whether it’s fuelling farms, feeding gardens, or one day powering the next batch of beer, we’re proud to keep it all in the family, and on our home turf.

So next time you crack open a cold one, you can feel good knowing it’s a beer that’s brewed with purpose.

Brewery Tours and Behind the Tanks

Ever wondered what goes into brewing your favourite Stone & Wood beverage? Come see it for yourself at one of our breweries in Byron Bay, Brisbane, or Murwillumbah (only open once a year for our Open Day!). Each spot has its own vibe, but what ties them all together is our love for good beer, good people, and doing things the right way.

On our Byron Bay brewery tour, you’ll get a proper look behind the tanks, where we mill the grain, fire up the brew kettles, and talk all things sustainability. You’ll learn how we reuse by-products like spent grain and hop trub, and how we put our brewing waste to work in ways that do good for our local patch.

It’s a chance to get up close with our crew, ask the curly questions, and of course, finish with a tasting paddle of fresh beer poured straight from the source. Book a brewery tour and get a taste of how we brew with purpose across the Northern Rivers and beyond.

Our in-house beer expert Jess gives the lowdown on the all-new Citrus Radler 🍋 In her words: it feels like a delicious beer has gone on a summer vacation. ⁠
⁠
In this episode of Taste Test with Jess, we're cracking open the ultimate summer refresher: Citrus Radler. With real lemon juice blended into a crisp ale base, this one’s made for long arvos in the sun. Jess breaks down the flavour profile, food pairings, and when to reach for a Radler. Hit play, crack a can, and get tasting.

We get it, when a new beer drops, especially one with citrus in the name, the first thing you want to know is how it stacks up against the original. And around here, there’s no beer more iconic than our Pacific Ale. Born from the salt, sun and laid-back energy of the Northern Rivers, it’s been pouring in pubs, beachside bars and backyard eskies since day one.

So, when we brewed up Citrus Radler, we figured some of you might be wondering: is it like Pacific Ale? Is it sweeter? Is it for beer drinkers or more for the “just-a-splash” crew? And the big one, what even is a Radler?

We’ve got you. Here’s the lowdown.

A Shared DNA

Let’s start with what they have in common. Think of Citrus Radler as having Pacific Ale’s good bones, a similar malt base made up of pale malt, regen malt, malted wheat and rolled wheat, bringing a smooth, slightly biscuity foundation that you’ll recognise straight away.

We’ve also kept our favourite hop in the spotlight, Galaxy, which gives both beers that distinct hit of tropical fruit, especially passionfruit. If Pacific Ale is your go-to, the first sip of Radler will feel familiar. Comforting even.

But that’s where the paths start to split.

Radler’s Citrus Twist

Here’s where things get interesting.

Citrus Radler brings something extra to the table, a bright, zesty kick of real fruit, thanks to 100% Australian lemon purée added during the whirlpool stage of brewing (that’s the hot side). Post-fermentation, we layer in natural orange and grapefruit flavours, all derived from actual fruit. Nothing artificial. No syrupy sweetness. Just crisp, natural refreshment that lifts the whole experience.

It pours a golden hue, a little brighter and clearer than Pacific Ale, with a gentle citrus aroma that hits you as soon as the can cracks. And at mid-strength, it’s the kind of beer that doesn’t demand too much, light on the palate, low on alcohol, and perfect for long sessions under the sun.

In short: it’s summer in a can.

For Pacific Ale Fans Wanting Something Fresh

If you love Pacific Ale’s easy-going charm but feel like mixing it up, Citrus Radler could be your new weekend staple. It brings the same relaxed attitude, just with a citrusy twist and a slightly lighter body.

It’s also a great way to bring someone new into the fold, that friend who’s not quite into “beer beer” but wants something flavourful and sessionable. Radler is approachable, refreshing and brewed with care, no shortcuts, no sugar bombs, just real ingredients and a clean finish.

Perfect for post-surf cool downs, fish tacos at sunset, or that second round you didn’t think you had in you.

The Bigger Picture

At Stone & Wood, beer has always been more than what’s in the glass. For us, it’s about bringing people together, sharing stories, moments, and a sense of place. That place for us is the Northern Rivers, and it shows up in everything we do, from the ingredients we choose to the way we brew.

We're proudly Certified B Corp, which means we hold ourselves to higher standards around sustainability, community and transparency. It’s not just a badge, it’s a commitment. We source regenerative malts that are better for the soil, use Australian-grown fruit, and we give back through our inGrained Foundation, supporting grassroots organisations that make our region thrive.

When we brewed Citrus Radler, we wanted something that reflected that same ethos: something light, refreshing, made with real ingredients and brewed with care, for the people who drink it and the planet we live on.

So, whether you're loyal to Pacific Ale, curious to try something new, or just after something easy to sip when the sun’s still high, Citrus Radler is ready to roll.

You’ll find Citrus Radler wherever you pick up Stone & Wood, or better yet, swing by our Byron Tasting Room and enjoy one fresh off the tap.

See you soon, legends.