Between insane work deadlines and jammed carparks filled to the brim with frenzied shoppers, December is the definition of hectic. If you need a little something to look forward to at the end (or start) of the day, give yourself or a fellow whisky lover a real gift by way of a whisky advent calendar by Whisky Loot and have yourself a merry little Christmas. more
Sometimes wines are hit and miss. Some will make your tastebuds do a little happy dance and linger in your memory long after the last sip whilst others are destined to be erased. If you have ever experienced the pain of falling in love with a wine at a restaurant but have then forgotten the name of it when you went to find it again (possibly because you enjoyed it a little too hard) or you want to relive a special memory with a particular drop but have no idea where to find it, you need TextWine in your life. more
Whether you're one of the increasing number of Australians who are booze-free by choice or you're just looking for an alcohol-free alternative that doesn't feel like a kids drink, rip open a sachet of Freemahon, a premium non-alcoholic botanical compound infusion. more
It's Friday, you're standing in the wine aisle at your local bottle shop perusing the labels for something that stands out and captures your attention, something new. After several minutes, you become overwhelmed at the sheer volume of choice and you opt for the old familiar bottle you've had a thousand times before. If this scenario sounds a little too familiar or you're looking to step up your home sipping game, say hello to Act of Wine's subscription service for natural and organic drops – it could very well be the best thing since sliced bread, except it's better than bread because it's wine. more
Love beer? This is for you. Don't love beer? This is also for you. Let us introduce you to The Gatherer, the latest drop of tinnies from the team at Byron Bay-born indie brewery Stone & Wood. While it identifies as beer, it's a completely reimagined and totally delicious new take. more
Slowly but surely, the alcohol market is shifting in a number of ways. More people are seeking out higher-quality, locally produced booze and are drinking less of it. There's also a fair chunk of 30-somethings nowadays that choose to not drink alcohol at all. Fundraisers like Dry July and Ocsober are encouraging thousands of regular drinkers to try a month off the sauce. Plus, we can't forget the large cross section of social sippers that have come to the grim realisation that, no matter how many burgers and Beroccas we consume, we just don't bounce back from hangovers like we used to in our early 20s. These changing habits have forged a pathway for (quality) no-alcohol alternatives, and one of the newest arrivals in the booze-free sphere is Non. more
A quick trip to the shops is never just that – quick. Being caught out without the essentials is more of a hassle than we care to acknowledge, and sometimes we simply don't have the time to drop everything and make a mad dash to the supermarket. Well, one company is coming up with a nifty solution to this problem by using drones. Yes, those remote-controlled flying robots are the next wave in express delivery mechanisms, and Wing is bringing its up-and-coming drone delivery service to Logan. Out of milk? In dire need of a screwdriver? Crave a coffee like your life depends on it? Wing is your robotic guardian angel, dropping off these necessities at your door. more
With farmers across the country doing it bloody tough, the need for all of us to shop local and direct our pennies toward Australian-grown produce has never been more apparent. With the conveniences of major supermarkets, it can be hard to take the leap and only buy farm-fresh food. Though, the process has been made a little easier with the arrival of Farm2Market on the Gold Coast. more
The legends at Miami brewery Lost Palms are known for their quality brews and intriguing creations (we're looking at you, key-lime-pie sour). Now, the team is showcasing the tastes of Australia in tinnie form with its all-new Native Series. more
By now, most of us are well aware of the plight of the bee. From widespread losses of bee colonies to underperforming Queens, it’s a conundrum that has stirred up plenty of conversation, controversy and calls for help. Indeed, the strong must protect the sweet, so we’ve rounded up five boutique Queensland honey brands that are not only supporting bees but also producing some mighty fine nectar perfect for winter indulgences. more
Four years after releasing its famed deep-purple Ink Gin, Tumbulgum's Husk Distillers will this week unveil the newest member of its colourful family – the vibrant-red Ink Sloe & Berry Gin. The distinctive new scarlet sip will be officially released at Husk's recently opened distillery on Wednesday July 24, though you'll want to be quick – it's only a small batch and numbers are limited! more
Move over, goon sack. These guys are pouring the kind of boxed happiness that will kickstart your day in the most delicious way possible. more
Gin may be an acquired taste, but when you’ve got the hankering, you should do it right and drink it well. Think small-batch distilleries, custom-made stills and native Australian botanicals. We’ve rounded up five premium purveyors from across the country whose little beauties you should be pouring into your next G&T. more
Meet the indispensable new ally you need in your drinking team before you open that next bottle of wine. more
Kombucha has long been known for its health benefits, renowned for giving us a gut-healing, effervescent hit of probiotics, enzymes and other good stuff. Now the popular living elixir has been given a fun new 'boozy' spin thanks to the talented folk at The Bucha of Byron. That's right – alcoholic kombucha is now a thing. more
One hundred years ago, a Count walked into an Italian bar and asked for a shot of gin in his Americano. The legend of the Negroni was born and we've been thankful ever since. more
Miami-based purveyors of quality spirits Granddad Jack's will drop its first-ever batch of limited-release whiskey this weekend – and it's called It's Not Whiskey. So, while it is whiskey, there are a bunch of odd rules that say it can't be called that. Technicalities aside – it's delicious, there are less than 100 bottles being released, and you need to get your paws on some. Here's how ... more
Two of life’s greatest pleasures – receiving presents and devouring edibles – have combined to form one of the best custom gift ideas we’ve ever seen. more
The Gold Coast's winters may be fleeting and relatively painless, but that doesn’t mean we can’t take advantage of the bounties of the season. We’re talking mulled wine, belly-warming carbs and the high priestess of winter treats, hot chocolate. We’ve slurped our way through countless cups to determine five hot choccy brands you should be stocking in your pantry for the chilly months ahead. more
Shake up your soda game with these artisan antidotes sure to add the perfect finishing touch to your cocktails, mocktails and everything in between. From native Australian botanicals to the finest international ingredients, these craft sodas and mixers have placed quality and flavour at the forefront, and done away with the overloaded sweeteners and artificial additives. Now the teetotallers can enjoy as much flavour and complexity as their boozy counterparts, while those after a tipple can ensure their mixers are worthy of their spirits. Check out some of our favourite craft concoctions below. more
