Craft beer trailblazer Moo Brew reshapes its approach

Drinks Adventures - Wine, beer, whisky, gin & more with James Atkinson

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.
Founded in 2005 by David Walsh, the rather infamous owner of Tasmania’s Mona Museum, Moo Brew is a highly respected brewery that has been somewhat uncompromising in its approach.
From the outset, David insisted on packaging the Moo Brew beers in rather ornate, expensive bottles.
You may also like:The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8
Its early marketing declared the beers were, ‘not suitable for bogans’. (Otherwise known as rednecks or chavs for our international listeners).
And the company maintained an allegiance to classic beer styles that were otherwise out of fashion in Australia, generally speaking.
So I’ve watched with interest in recent years as different kind of Moo Brew has emerged.
Packaging its beers in cans. Releasing an IPA. Creating a new label, Brew By Moo Brew, focused on unfussy, easy drinking beers that seemed to appeal to all beer drinkers. Even bogans.
Lauren Sheppard joined Moo Brew as general manager in July 2020, prior to which she worked for the Domaine A and Moorilla Estate wine brands that are also part of the Mona family.
I asked Lauren whether it was a difficult decision to move from wine into beer. And what was the remit she was given when she was offered the role at Moo Brew.
More must-listen episodes:Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5