“I love the lambic styles because it is a big question mark of what you’re going to get. It’s not really a given. And then you have to blend. The blending is the best bit.” Lee-Ann Scotti on the thrill of spontaneous fermentation.
Tune in for a captivating conversation as we travel to the historic streetscapes of Oamaru to sit down with Lee-Ann and Michael, the passionate minds behind Craftwork Brewery. Recorded the day after their inaugural “Bruxelles Oamaru” Belgian beer festival, the duo shares the fascinating story of how they transformed an 1875 stone grain store into a stunning, authentic taproom. Through an incredible stroke of luck, they managed to salvage the entire 1920s-style oak-paneled interior of a closed Belgian beer cafe from Christchurch, creating a magical, transportive atmosphere that perfectly complements their old-world brewing philosophy.
In this episode, we dive deep into their unwavering love for Belgian and farmhouse beer styles. Lee-Ann and Michael explain why they are drawn to the “bonkers” and unpredictable nature of wild yeasts and spontaneous fermentation, celebrating the art of blending and the joy of vintage variation. We also discuss their intimate, bespoke beer festival that brought together the tight-knit community of farmhouse brewers and enthusiasts, capturing a wonderful sense of optimism and camaraderie that felt like a return to the golden days of the craft beer boom.
Beyond the romance of traditional brewing, the conversation tackles some of the stark realities of the modern craft beer landscape. Michael and Lee-Ann pull no punches when discussing the current challenges in the market, the ongoing struggle to get high-quality bottled beer onto local restaurant menus, and the peculiar “invisible wall” that prevents many local punters from looking past the taps to see world-class bottled options. It is a wonderfully eccentric and honest look at what it takes to stick to your guns and brew for a dedicated niche. Hit play to soak in this fantastic discussion about preserving history, embracing the unconventional, and brewing with uncompromising passion!