The finalists for the 2026 Australian Liquor Industry Awards have now been revealed, as we countdown towards the industry's night of nights.
Read full story →The finalists for the 2026 Australian Liquor Industry Awards have now been revealed, as we countdown towards the industry's night of nights.
TITLE: The finalists for ALIA 2026 revealed - The Shout DESC: The finalists for the 2026 Australian Liquor Industry Awards have now been revealed, as we countdown towards the industry's night of nights. - The finalists for the 2026 Australian Liquor Industry Awards have now been revealed, as we countdown towards the industry’s night of nights. - Below are all the product awards and finalists, and you can see the finalists in the Retail Awards here and the On-Premise Awards here . - This year’s awards take place at The Fullerton Sydney on Wednesday, 28 October and you can secure your tickets here . - Andy joined Intermedia as Editor of The Shout in 2015, writing news on a daily basis and also writing features for National Liquor News. Now Managing Editor of both The Shout and Bars and Cocktails. More by Andy Young
The International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD) has appointed Annie Brown in a newly created position as its Chief Communications Officer.
TITLE: IARD appoints Annie Brown to new communications role - The Shout DESC: The International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD) has appointed Annie Brown as its Chief Communications Officer. - The International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD) has appointed Annie Brown as its Chief Communications Officer, a newly created position aimed at strengthening the organisation’s work promoting moderation and reducing harmful drinking globally. - Brown joins IARD with more than 20 years of corporate communications experience across agency and in-house roles, most recently serving as Head of Corporate Communications for Europe and Africa at global nutrition and wellness business Herbalife. - In that role, which she held for five years, Brown was responsible for external and internal communications and social impact across 44 markets. Her previous experience also includes communications roles in other highly regulated industries, including with a multinational FMCG company. - Brown said the new role provided an opportunity to work with the alcohol industry and broader private sector on responsible drinking initiatives.
Konvoy has confirmed it is now engaging with new parties interested in acquiring the business after regulators blocked a sale to MicroStar Logistics.
TITLE: Konvoy engages new parties for possible sale - The Shout DESC: Konvoy has confirmed it is now engaging with new parties interested in acquiring the business after regulators blocked a sale to MicroStar Logistics. - A new sale process is underway for Konvoy’s Australian and New Zealand business following regulatory decisions blocking its proposed acquisition by MicroStar Logistics. - Konvoy has confirmed it is now engaging with new parties interested in acquiring the business, with the company aiming to bring the process to a conclusion as quickly as possible. - The move follows decisions by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and New Zealand Commerce Commission (NZCC) not to allow MicroStar’s proposed acquisition of Konvoy. - Patrick Hanrahan, Co-founder and Interim CEO of Konvoy, told Beer & Brewer that despite the renewed sale process, it remains business as usual for customers as the company heads into the important summer trading period.
Wayfinder Wines has opened its new cellar door, with a restaurant and casual outdoor dining area to follow.
TITLE: Wayfinder debuts off-grid cellar door in Cowaramup - The Shout DESC: Wayfinder Wines has opened its new cellar door, with a restaurant and casual outdoor dining area to follow. - Margaret River’s Wayfinder Wines has opened the doors to its new state-of-the-art cellar door in Cowaramup, with a restaurant and casual outdoor dining area to follow later this month. - The new cellar door, designed by Kerry Hill Architects’ Fremantle studio, uses a partially subterranean design for natural temperature regulation and is powered by a comprehensive solar array, allowing the site to operate entirely off grid. Australian timber, natural marble and skylights feature throughout the interior, linking the space to its Margaret River setting. - Wayfinder’s full portfolio of wines will be available across the cellar door and restaurant, alongside sparkling wine from its Tasmanian sister winery Small Wonder Wines. Three tasting experiences will span the winery’s Swell Season and Wayfinder ranges, including a dedicated Chardonnay tasting experience. - From October, Wayfinder will offer tours with Head Winemaker Adrew Trio, giving visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the gravity-fed winery followed by seated tastings in The Blending Room and a five-course meal paired with the wines. Market Garden tours will also launch in October, led by Head Market Gardener Amy Dyson and Market Gardener Bec Davie.
McGuigan Wines has launched a 150-day consumer promotion to celebrate the 150th Anniversary Test between Australia and England.
TITLE: McGuigan joins 150th Anniversary Test celebrations - The Shout DESC: McGuigan Wines has launched a 150-day consumer promotion to celebrate the 150th Anniversary Test between Australia and England. - McGuigan Wines has launched a 150-day consumer promotion to celebrate the 150th Anniversary Test between Australia and England, as the wine brand enters its second year as Cricket Australia’s Official Wine Partner. - Running from 6 September 2026 to 2 February 2027, the promotion gives consumers 150 chances to win prizes by purchasing any bottle of McGuigan wine and scanning to enter. - Prizes include tickets to the 150th Anniversary Test, BBQs, televisions and cricket merchandise, with the promotion designed to build momentum ahead of the historic match at the MCG in March 2027. - McGuigan Marketing Manager Alyssa Kane said the anniversary provided the brand with an opportunity to build on its partnership with Cricket Australia.
Is your venue getting the back-office support it needs? Running […]
TITLE: Liquid Stock Control – Experienced business support - The Shout DESC: Is your venue getting the back-office support it needs? Running […] - Running a bottle shop or bar means wearing every hat — buyer, bookkeeper, roster manager, stocktaker. Liquid Stock Control & Bookkeeping has quietly run stock control, POS support and bookkeeping for Liquor Legends for over three decades, and that same back-office expertise is now available to independent venues outside the group. - It’s a genuinely connected system: full SwiftPOS management — product databases, pricing and margin, promotions, stocktakes, member loyalty — talking directly to MYOB or Xero, LARA supplier ordering, online ordering and electronic shelf labels. No double handling, no double entry. On the bookkeeping side, that means monthly reconciliation of SwiftPOS against MYOB or Xero plus tailored financial reporting, handled with complete confidentiality. - The numbers back it up: 227 venues supported nationally, 1,300+ tills under active management, 24/7 technical support, and a typical cost saving of two-thirds versus running it in-house. - “We very quickly moved all our venues across to this service… the speed of resolution has been exceptional,” says Charlie Nalder of North Coast Hotel Group.
McLaren Vale winery Chalk Hill Wines has appointed international wine executive Trent Fraser as Chief Executive Officer.
TITLE: Chalk Hill Wines appoints Trent Fraser as CEO - The Shout DESC: McLaren Vale winery Chalk Hill Wines has appointed international wine executive Trent Fraser as Chief Executive Officer. - McLaren Vale winery Chalk Hill Wines has appointed international wine executive Trent Fraser as Chief Executive Officer, bringing more than two decades of wine and luxury brand experience to the role. - Fraser will lead the next stage of development for the family-owned winery, with a focus on its wine portfolio, vineyards and cellar door destination. - He said the opportunity was about building on Chalk Hill’s existing strengths while introducing the winery to a broader audience. - “I am so excited to have the opportunity to help shape the next chapter at Chalk Hill Wines, to build on its exceptional vineyards, award-winning wines and spectacular destination,” Fraser said.
Adelaide bar Hains & Co has opened Admiral’s Quarters, a new upstairs cocktail and whisky bar housing 620 whiskies.
TITLE: Over 600 whiskies at the heart of new Hains & Co bar - The Shout DESC: Adelaide bar Hains & Co has opened Admiral’s Quarters, a new upstairs cocktail and whisky bar housing 620 whiskies. - Adelaide bar Hains & Co has opened Admiral’s Quarters, a new upstairs cocktail and whisky bar housing 620 whiskies collected by owner Marcus Motteram over nearly a decade. - The new space gives guests access to a collection spanning everyday favourites, independent releases and rare bottlings from around the world. Whisky is the main attraction, but the bar also offers classic cocktails, premium spirits and cigars, with staff on hand to guide guests through the range. - Marcus said the aim was to make the collection approachable for guests at any level of whisky knowledge, while maintaining the hospitality that has made Hains & Co a popular West End venue. - “People don’t come to us because they want the biggest whisky collection,” Marcus said. “They come because they know they’ll be looked after. That should never change, no matter what staircase they walk up.”
Australian chefs including Matt Moran, Neil Perry AM, Peter Gilmore, Danielle Alvarez, and Mindy Woods are set to support the event.
TITLE: All-star chef line-up set to team up for OzHarvest CEO CookOff - hospitality | Magazine DESC: Australian chefs including Matt Moran, Neil Perry AM, Peter Gilmore, Danielle Alvarez, and Mindy Woods are set to support the event. - News All-star chef line-up set to team up for OzHarvest CEO CookOff - Well-known Australian chefs including Matt Moran, Neil Perry AM, Peter Gilmore, Danielle Alvarez, and Mindy Woods are set to team up to support OzHarvest’s CEO CookOff. - It comes as OzHarvest calls for CEOs and business leaders to join this year’s event, where they will be shoulder-to-shoulder with 80 of the country’s most renowned chefs, with a line-up that boasts more than 100 chef hats and eight Michelin stars. - Through the event, chefs will cook and serve gourmet meals to 2000 guests, with a mission to raise awareness and crucial funds for people facing food insecurity. Since its inception in 2012, the event has raised more than $16 million and enabled OzHarvest to deliver more than 32 million meals to people in need.
The Senku Pure Wagyu fillet, produced by Brisbane-based Paradigm Foods, has been crowned the world's best steak for 2026.
TITLE: This Queensland Wagyu has just been named the world's best steak - hospitality | Magazine DESC: The Senku Pure Wagyu fillet, produced by Brisbane-based Paradigm Foods, has been crowned the world's best steak 2026. - News This Queensland Wagyu has just been named the world’s best steak - A Wagyu beef fillet that comes from Queensland has taken out the top global title at the World Steak Challenge in Amsterdam. - The Senku Pure Wagyu fillet, produced by Brisbane-based Paradigm Foods, was crowned the world’s best steak 2026. - The competition is judged by 60 industry leaders in a blind test, with 470 entries coming from more than 30 countries. Every steak is scored by the judges against raw and cooked criteria set by the World Steak Challenge, which has been run by UK publisher William Reed since 2015.
The winery's restaurant will evolve with the seasons, in line with the venue's one-acre garden the uses organic farming processes.
TITLE: Wayfinder Wines opens new cellar door and restaurant in Margaret River - hospitality | Magazine DESC: The winery's restaurant will evolve with the seasons, in line with the venue's one-acre garden the uses organic farming processes. - News Wayfinder Wines opens new cellar door and restaurant in Margaret River - Margaret River’s Wayfinder Wines has unveiled its new cellar door, winery, and restaurant in Cowaramup. - The cellar door in Western Australia is now open to the public, with the opening of the dining room set to follow on Wednesday 16 September, and a casual outdoor dining area, The Lawn, opening on Friday 25 September. - The Dining Room, led by Executive Chef Brendan Pratt (ex-Vasse Felix, Parker Group), will offer a five-course set menu and à la carte.
"The foundation of the cooking is still French, but I naturally draw on the Korean food and flavours I grew up with," says Jun Hwang.
TITLE: How White Horse's executive chef is blending French technique with his Korean heritage - hospitality | Magazine DESC: "The foundation of the cooking is still French, but I naturally draw on the Korean food and flavours I grew up with," says Jun Hwang. - News How White Horse’s executive chef is blending French technique with his Korean heritage - More than two years after opening, Surry Hills’ White Horse is looking different to the restaurant that first opened on Crown Street. - Having been with the team since day one – initially as the head chef and now as the executive chef – Jun Hwang has brought more of his Korean heritage into the food, while retaining the French techniques that have been a part of the restaurant from the beginning. - The result is a menu that features offerings such as W.A. rock lobster stuffed pappardelle, which sits somewhere between pasta and a dumpling. The lobster is inside the pasta, and the dish features a savoury miso broth made with brown fish stock, daikon, kombu and white soy, finished with lobster bisque foam and prawn oil.
The move represents a homecoming for the chef, who previously operated the restaurant in Surry Hills before it closed earlier this year.
TITLE: Homecoming: Dylan Cashman to open The Blue Door in Bellingen - hospitality | Magazine DESC: The move represents a homecoming for the chef, who previously operated the restaurant in Surry Hills, before it closed earlier this year. - News Homecoming: Dylan Cashman to open The Blue Door in Bellingen - Having closed his restaurant The Blue Door in Surry Hills earlier this year, Chef Dylan Cashman is set to open a new iteration of the venue in Bellingen. - The Blue Door Bellingen is a homecoming for the chef, who was born and raised in Crescent Head. Cashman will open the restaurant on Friday 18 September alongside Angelica Nohra, his wife, co-owner, and wine director. - Moving north represents more than a change of address, as it provides Cashman with the chance to create the restaurant he believes The Blue Door was always meant to be – connected to its landscape, producers, and community.
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TITLE: Paramount Liquor hits $1bn sales target one year early - Drinks Trade DESC: Paramount celebrates a milestone year with 150 staff & supplier partners at its annual conference in Tokyo - Paramount Liquor hits $1bn sales target one year early Sept. 14, 2026 By Cody Profaca - Paramount Liquor has reached $1 billion in sales revenue one year ahead of forecast, with its recently announced partnership with Thirsty Camel in Victoria taking it over the line. - The achievement, announced at its annual conference in Tokyo last week, marks a significant milestone for the wholesaler, which first set a target to double sales revenue within five years in 2023 after first surpassing $500 million. - CEO Nathan Rowe opened the conference with a session comparing Paramount’s growth against a broader market facing challenging conditions, making a compelling case for challenging convention.
TITLE: Ed Carr becomes two-time IWC Sparkling Winemaker of the Year - Drinks Trade DESC: Ed Carr received the title for a second time in three years, with non-Champagne winemakers claiming a hat trick for the first time - Ed Carr becomes two-time IWC Sparkling Winemaker of the Year Sept. 14, 2026 By Cody Profaca - Ed Carr has been named global Sparkling Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine Challenge 2026 for the second time in three years . - The House of Arras chief winemaker remains the second non-Champagne and only southern hemisphere winemaker to claim the title. - It also marks the third consecutive year that the trophy has gone to a winemaker outside Champagne, with Cherie Spriggs of Nyetimber, England, becoming the first winemaker outside Champagne to win the title twice in 2025, backing up her 2018 win.
TITLE: What’s On: EOIs for Victorian Beer Reference Group, Drinks Association IWD lunch, & more - Drinks Trade DESC: Upcoming Australian liquor events and opportunities specific to the Australian drinks trade - What’s On: EOIs for Victorian Beer Reference Group, Drinks Association IWD lunch, & more Sept. 14, 2026 By Cody Profaca - The Australian drinks trade has a busy spring ahead, with a packed calendar of trade tastings, educational sessions, awards, festivals and industry campaigns. - Here are some of the most important and exciting opportunities in the Australian drinks calendar, specifically tailored to industry professionals. - This week: Final NIQ x The Drinks Association webinar: 12-1pm, 15 September | online 23rd Street 10th anniversary: 18–20 September | Renmark Distillery, SA Sydney Royal Grape, Grain & Graze Festival: 2-7pm 19 September | Sydney Showground For VIC beer and cider sector: Victorian Craft Beer and Cider Strategy Industry Reference Group For fiano producers: Fiano Festa 2026