BentSpoke co-founders Tracy Margrain, left, and Richard Watkins, right, present Crankshaft Clone Competition winner Corey Fisher with a $500 prize at their Braddon BrewPub.
Congratulations to club member Corey Fisher who took out today’s Crankshaft Clone Competition, hosted at the BentSpoke BrewPub in Braddon.
Corey’s was one of more than 20 entries judged by BentSpoke brewers and co-founders Richard Watkins and Tracy Margrain, along with National BJCP judge Charles Newton and Grand Master BJCP judge David Gilks.
Joining Corey on the beer podium were Rob Barnsley in 2nd place and Dave Cattle, 3rd.
Corey received a $500 cash prize and Rob takes home a case of Crankshaft (to compare with his excellent clone version).
The judges said picking the winner was a real challenge with the final decision coming down to the barest of margins.
Overall, the standard of entries was exceptional with the brewers showing that anyone can produce commercial quality beers at home.
Richard said it was humbling to have so many brewers try to replicate their iconic beer and great to have such high quality entries.
Thanks to all the Brewers who entered, and a huge thanks to the club’s biggest supporter, BentSpoke Brewing Co.
We’ll see you at the BrewPub 🍻
From left, Tracy Margrain, Richard Watkins, David Gilks and Charles Newton get down to the final beer in the The entries are laid out in preparation for judgingTracey, Richard, David and Charles judge the Crankshaft Clone Competition.
As we roll into April, the brewhouse fires are burning bright and there’s plenty to look forward to at our next club meeting. Join us on Thursday, 2 April 2026 at the Polish White Eagle Club, 38 David St, Turner from 7:30pm. We’ll have an informative education session, club updates, and plenty of great beer to share.
Education Session – Cereal Mashing
Our April education session will take a deep dive into cereal mashing — an essential technique for unlocking the potential of adjunct grains such as corn, rice, oats, and wheat. Whether you’re looking to refine your process or simply understand why and when to use a cereal mash, this is the session for you. Bring your questions and brewing experiences to share.
CBR Brewers partners with BentSpoke for the Cranky Competition
Now that you have had a chance to practice brewing a Cranky clone for our smaller xmas crank-ish competition it’s time for the real deal. Our Crankshaft Clone Competition went live on Friday. With $500 at stake why not pit yourself against the best to see how your cranked-up Cranky Clone compares.
Mashematics is putting together a “Canberra Brewers Members special open to all” super kit containing all you need to brew a crankshaft. You can purchase from the Mashematics website.
If you haven’t seen the announcements on facebook members group or the forum, here are the upcoming comp. dates:
Club Comp 1 (Autumn Comp) – Saturday 9 May 2026 Club Comp 2 (Winter Comp) – Saturday 27 June 2026 ACT Amateur Brewing Championships – 11-13 September 2026
Get brewing on the following styles for comp 1:
Low Alcohol
Pale Ale
American Pale Ale
IPA
Speciality IPA
Amber Ale
Brown Ale
Porter
Strong Stout
Watch the socials and we may release another email for details on entering, judging and stewarding. All are welcome!!
AGM wrap-up
A big thank you to everyone who attended the 2026 AGM and to all those who nominated for committee roles. It was great to see such strong engagement from members. The new committee is already working hard to plan another exciting year of competitions, collaborations, and education sessions. All these activities are supported by our good finances with the financials for the 2025-26 period to be provided to members at the April meeting.
For those who missed the meeting, we’ll provide a short recap of key outcomes and introduce the new committee team at the April gathering.
Club business & socialising
Jervis Bay Brewing will be hosting a brew day to support Amber’s N.O.O.K.I.E. prize on the 18 April at 10am, see the event on CB Facebook member group. The 2026 N.O.O.K.I.E. prize will be drawn at the May meeting.
As always, our monthly meeting is a great chance to catch up with fellow brewers, talk shop, and sample some homebrew. Don’t forget to bring along a few bottles of your latest creation for feedback and sharing or for the six pack swap.
The kegerator will be set-up to host member-bought kegs and we happen to know Ed and Lawfo will be bringing some tasty beers.
We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, 2 April, at the Polish Club. Bring your ideas, bring your enthusiasm, and — of course — bring your homebrew, either a keg or bottle!
Ever wondered what goes into brewing our Iconic Crankshaft IPA?
Join us at the BrewPub on Saturday 23 May for a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Crankshaft as BentSpoke and the Canberra Brewers come together for a live brewing demonstration and the final judging of the Clone a Crankshaft Competition.
Starting from 10am, you’ll get the chance to watch the brewing process in action, chat with brewers, and learn what going into brewing a Crankshaft from scratch. Then from 2pm, settle in as competition entries are officially judged and the winner of the Clone a Crank competition is crowned.
This competition has challenged homebrewers to replicate BentSpoke’s flagship Crankshaft IPA – putting their brewing precision, balance and technical skill to the test in one of the ACT’s biggest homebrew competitions.Whether you’re a craft beer lover, curious about brewing, or just keen for a fun afternoon at the BrewPub, everyone’s welcome.
FREE to attend BentSpoke BrewPub | 48 Mort Street Braddon Saturday 23 May Live brewing from 10am | Judging from 2pm
Come for the brewing, stay for the beers, and help us celebrate Canberra’s incredible brewing community.
The Canberra Brewers are heading back to the National Multicultural Festival and for the second year in a row will be serving up beers made by members to serve to the public.
The line-up this weekend (February 6-8) includes eight beers brewed on our pilot system at Zierholz Brewery in Fyshwick, a competition-winning recipe at BentSpoke’s Brew Pub in Braddon and at fruited sour beer brewed during a club trip to Jervis Bay Brewing Co.
The 10 beers will rotate through our taps for the duration of the festival, so punters should keep coming back to see what’s new.
Many of the brewers who made the beer will be behind the bar serving beers to customers, and keen to chat about all things beer and brewing.
Canberra Brewers treasurer Amber Hutchison brewed a dark saison for the event and said meeting brewers at the festival one year is what inspired her to get involved in the club.
“One of my first interactions with the Canberra Brewers was at the Multicultural Festival. The members I talked to were excited to engage me about my new homebrew hobby and invited me to attend the next club meeting.
“I’m very grateful for that opportunity to engage with the club at multi-culti as I would not be the brewer I am now!”
Amber Hutchison
2025 ACT Champion Brewer Andrew ‘Stretch’ Lewis had the privilege of brewing his kölsch recipe at the BentSpoke Brew Pub after it won beer of show at last year’s competition. Bent Brewer 7 carries on a long tradition of BentSpoke giving the beer of show winner a chance to brew on a commercial set up with Richard and Tracy.
The Canberra Brewers will be at stall D5, on City Walk between the Canberra Times Fountain and Akuna St.
Ant adds hops to his ESBAdi stirs the mash’ brewing his Helles ExportCraig mashes in his PivoStretch brewing his Vienna lager.Amber pitches the yeast for her saison.Ken hops is oatmeal stoutChuck brews his IPAJohn give his IPA a stirRichard Watkins and Andrew ‘Stretch’ Lewis at BentSpoke
Multicultural festival beer line-up
🇩🇪 Adrian’s Helles Export 5.4%: A pale, medium-bodied German-style lager with a crisp finish that keeps you coming back for more.
🇧🇪 Amber’s Saison 6.1%: Dark in colour but light on the plate, this is a spiced, dry and slightly malty Belgian-style farmhouse ale.
🇬🇧 Ant’s ESB 5%: A sessionable malty English ale with unmistakable fruity esters from the Fuller’s yeast.
🇩🇪 Bent Brewer 7, Stretch’s ‘Kolsch’, 5%: ACT Champion Brewer Andrew Lewis’s beer of show winning recipe, brewed at BentSpoke Brew Pub. A crisp, refreshing German-style ale, perfect for a Summer thirst.
🇦🇺 Chuck’s IPA 6.4%: Our take on Crankshaft, Australia’s favourite IPA, made famous by big club supporter BentSpoke – what do you think?
🇨🇿 Craig’s Pevo 4.4%: A thirst-quenching golden beer with a clean, crisp taste and a touch of malt sweetness.
🇧🇷 Jervis Bay Brewing Co Colab Berry Sour 5%: Brewed by club members at Jervis Bay Brewing Co in Huskisson – a refreshingly tart raspberry and blackberry sour beer.
🇺🇸 John’s IPA 7%: A classic American-style IPA with bright citrus and tropical hops – bold and beautiful.
🇬🇧 Ken’s Oatmeal Stout 5.5%: A dark, full-bodied, roasty ale with a slight hint of mild earthy, nutty flavour from the oats.
🇦🇹 Stretch’s Vienna Lager 6%: A smooth amber lager with a malty, slightly toasty flavour and a crisp finish.
The Canberra Brewers stall location for the 2026 National Multicultural Festival
FREE to attend
BentSpoke BrewPub | 48 Mort Street Braddon
Saturday 23 May
Live brewing from 10am | Judging from 2pm
