John Moloney
John claims to have taught Julian everything about brewing, whilst Julian just nods and lets the old bloke prattle on. A self confessed beer snob, listening to John one would think he knows a bit about breweries. John has learnt the hard way and actually understands what works and what doesn’t. John did the short course in brewing at Regency Park TAFE in South Australia. John recommends this course for anyone interested in developing a brewery.
He has a long established relationship with Cask Canning and in 2016 he was encouraged by the founder of that Canadian company to visit Philadelphia for the CBC conference. John also took time out to visit San Diego to observe at first hand how small breweries integrated into the local community.
In another life, John was the CEO for Australasia for two International agribusiness companies, involved in plant breeding and biotech. This gives John a great understanding of what malts are preferred for brewing and why, as well as how hops are integral for both flavour and bitterness.
A brewery is very dependent on recruiting and retaining quality staff for brewing and the hospitality segments of the business. John has worked as a search consultant across the globe and has also owned and operated a very successful labour hire company.To assist the industry in recruiting qualified staff, John has developed links with universities in Europe and also Australia that specialise in tertiary courses for brewing and hospitality.
John now resides in Brisbane and sees great opportunities for new breweries in Queensland and NSW - particularly in regional areas.
Julian Widera
Julian has been working in the Brewing and Beverage Industry for nearly 10 years. Whilst Julian claims to be a native of Alice Springs, it can be revealed that he is originally from the home of all things beer - Germany. Julian was trained in one of the premier tertiary brewing institutions in Berlin. After graduating Julian headed to New Zealand where he assisted in the build of a new brewery. That is where his new appetite for new breweries setting up breweries arose.
He then realised that the Wallabies would one day beat the All Blacks and always looking to be on a winner, he headed to Oz.
John made him an offer he couldn’t refuse and he landed in Port Campbell. Julian set about building a new brewery. He worked on the recipe development and after the release of his beers, it was decided to build another brewery. and also install a packaging line. Since then life has been interesting to say the least. Julian has project managed a new brewery in Yamba, another in Lancefield and a third in Toowoomba.
Coming from Germany Julian knows a competitive beer market. Family-run breweries have been surviving over centuries by focusing and looking after their local market rather than trying to compete around the country. He knows how to integrate your local market for success.
Marion Klink
Marion grew up in a small unknown country west of Great Germany. Besides all her struggle, she grew to be one of the most important human beings in her time and runs not only The Brewery Mentors, but according to Julian - Australia!
Marion is the back office support and understands the numbers that make for a profitable brewery. Marion understands the software and the hardware to ensure hassle-free reporting.
John O’Grady
“Professor Crackpot” is our term of endearment for John O’Grady. John is actually a retired Professor and has more degrees and qualifications in brewing et al than you can poke a stick at. The word “mentor” fits John to a tee! John has assisted in the development of the…
Sow & Piglets and has been a wonderful asset to our extended brewing family. Always ready to offer advice, John’s knowledge of the science behind brewing, is second to none!
Mick Robertson
Ask Mick why he brews and he’d tell you “the pursuit of a well made beer” is his sole priority. With a passion for craft beer, Mick and his wife made the sea change back to their hometown of Warrnambool in 2017. He started out with a Kit and Kilo around 1998 while living in Melbourne
, by-passing bottles and going straight to kegs (Cornelius ball lock style).
The desire to brew all-grain beers, saw the purchase of his first Braumeister system and he hasn’t looked back since.
Over the years Mick has helped out at GABS, been a steward for VicBrew and won some awards for his beers along the way.
Mick & his wife then spent a couple of years living in Vietnam where he was involved with the dynamic & emerging micro brewing scene which has really taken off in the last few years.
Mick also traveled to Europe, based himself out of Southern Germany for a few weeks and visited several breweries across Germany, Czech Republic, Belgium, Ireland, Iceland and Britain.
While living overseas, he completed a Certificate commercial brewers course in Sunderland, England (Brewlab) and also helped out at a Micro Brewery in the Scottish Highlands.
These days, you will find Mick in the micro brewery at Sow & Piglets in Port Campbell brewing small batch artisan beers for consumption in the Sow & Piglets Guesthouse Bar. Collaborating with Julian on training, recipe development and brewing techniques has yielded some classic style beers, while concentrating on four core beers and two seasonal at any given time.