Bassendean-based Nail Brewing gets win in National Craft Beer Awards

John Stallwood’s Nail Brewing recently won two beer awards and was named the best medium brewery at the national Craft Beer Awards.

The brewer’s Clayden Brew won gold at the Perth Royal Beer Show and the Dunn Brown was named best porter.

Mr Stallwood said the awards showed he was on the right track with his beers, which he has been brewing since 2000.

‘It’s an honour and a dream every time I win gold or a trophy,’ he said.

‘It doesn’t win me money but it gives me confidence that my hard work is on the right track and motivates me to continue to work hard to achieve my goals.

‘Success is simply hard work, but unfortunately hard work means sacrifice. My family and friends are great help to Nail’s success.’

When Mr Stallwood started the brewery there were only 20 microbreweries in Australia. Today there are more than 200.

His journey to create beer has not been without hurdles, including being assaulted in 2004 which resulted in a head injury, forcing Mr Stallwood to shut down the brewery.

He then worked as a gypsy brewer, creating Nail beers at many different locations throughout Perth before returning to the Bassendean brewery in 2012.

Mr Stallwood said since he started brewing, the Australian market had become more accepting of craft beers.

‘The Australian beer market used to drink only lagers, but now the craft beer market is booming with beer lovers wanting variety and beer with flavour,’ he said.

‘Craft beer is traditionally brewed like the old days when brewers mixed the four key ingredients of beer (water, hops, malt and yeast) and sometimes adding something different.

‘Craft beer supplies variety and more flavoursome beers.’

Nail brewing– 100 per cent Australianowned by the Stallwood family– Nail beers are brewed at a 5000-litre brewhouse– Beers are distributed nationally in WA, Victoria, NSW, Queensland, ACT and SA– Small development brews are also brewed at Joondalup on its 600-litre brewery