Bluestone Yeast

02/03/2026

How did you spend your weekend?

I spent part of mine in the lab supporting a brewer who needed a hand. When fermentation performance matters, showing up matters. It’s not about overtime; it’s about backing the people who trust us with their production.

That said, it wasn’t all work. We also made time to head out to a concert and celebrate our anniversary with the kids.

Building great beer and a great life both require intention.

– Derek, Bluestone Yeast

25/02/2026

When the Harcourt Cool Stores burned down, it wasn’t just stock that was lost.

It was cash flow, momentum, months of work for independent breweries, wineries and producers.

And then the industry did what it always does - it showed up.
Breweries donated beer.
Venues ran fundraisers.
Suppliers stepped in.
People chose to spend where it mattered.
Beer isn’t just a product. It’s a network.

At Bluestone Yeast, we were proud to support breweries producing fundraising beers with donated yeast and fermentation nutrients, not for publicity, but because that’s what this industry does.

If you want to support Australian brewing, choose suppliers who build locally, reinvest locally, and show up when it counts.
Strong industries aren’t built by accident. They’re built deliberately.

Read the full story here:
https://bluestoneyeast.com.au/beer-is-a-community-how-the-harcourt-fires-showed-the-strength-of-australian-brewing/

📸Images courtesy of the Harcourt Progress Association and Brewers Collective

20/02/2026

Celebrating Chinese New Year at Bluestone Yeast 🧧

Here’s the beer lineup I’ve picked for the occasion. What do you think?

Drop your thoughts (or your favourite Chinese New Year beer pairing) in the comments below and let’s start the conversation! 🍻

13/02/2026

Our QC Specialist is off enjoying a well-deserved birthday break 🎉
So Derek’s taking over in the lab today.

That means full QC on every single batch, cell counts, viability, purity and making sure what leaves our lab meets the Bluestone Yeast standard.

No shortcuts. No compromises. Just consistent, healthy yeast every time.

05/02/2026

Big Events = Big Opportunity
With the World Cup on the horizon, big brands will go loud — but local brewers can move faster. Limited releases, themed beers and clever collabs will turn moments into momentum.

Planning a special release around a major event?
What beer style screams “World Cup” to you?

👉 Read the full prediction: https://bluestoneyeast.com.au/looking-back-looking-ahead-craft-beer-trends-for-2026/

03/02/2026

Localism & Collaboration Reign

Local stories, local ingredients, local partnerships. In 2026, collaboration and community connection will continue to separate great breweries from the rest. Supporting local has never mattered more.

If supporting local matters to you, start with your yeast.
What makes a collab truly memorable? We'd love to hear your story.

👉 Read the full prediction: https://bluestoneyeast.com.au/looking-back-looking-ahead-craft-beer-trends-for-2026/

03/02/2026

A big thank you to Great Ocean Road Brewing for sending over a case of beer. Always grateful for the support within our brewing community.

01/02/2026

Sustainability Moves From Buzzword to Baseline

Sustainability is no longer a marketing angle. It’s the minimum standard. From sourcing to energy use to packaging, 2026 will reward breweries that bake sustainability into everyday operations.

What’s one sustainability change your brewery is focusing on this year?
Big impact or small wins, what actually makes the difference?

👉 Read the full prediction: https://bluestoneyeast.com.au/looking-back-looking-ahead-craft-beer-trends-for-2026/

29/01/2026

Lager Innovation Rolls On

Lagers aren’t playing it safe anymore. Cold IPAs, West Coast lagers, NZ Pilsners, and Italian Pilsners are pushing the category forward, and precision brewing has never mattered more.

Want your lager to lead the pack? Start with the right yeast.
Which lager style are you backing for 2026? Tell us in the comments.

👉 Read the full prediction: https://bluestoneyeast.com.au/looking-back-looking-ahead-craft-beer-trends-for-2026/

27/01/2026

Mid-Strength & Session Styles Expand

Full flavour, less alcohol. As health-conscious drinkers drive demand, mid-strength and session beers are stepping into the spotlight. The winners in 2026 will be the brewers who master balance, not compromise.

Thinking about expanding your mid-strength range?
What’s harder to nail — flavour or drinkability?

👉 Read the full prediction: https://bluestoneyeast.com.au/looking-back-looking-ahead-craft-beer-trends-for-2026/

27/01/2026

In moments like this, showing up for each other matters.

We’ve donated yeast to help support the breweries affected by the bushfires, with the hope that it helps them return to brewing when the time is right. The strength and resilience of this community is humbling, and we’re thankful to be able to offer support in a small but practical way.

Our thoughts are with everyone impacted, and we’re wishing our brewing friends a steady path forward. 🍻

After bushfires tore through Harcourt and other parts of Central Victoria two weeks ago, Rock & Ranges were left with just two kegs of beer. The rest of their stock was lost – alongside significant amounts of beer and other produce – when Harcourt Cooperative Cool Store facility burnt down on J...