Brewed for thought

After 15 years in the liquor and hospitality industries, Ben Cairns (pictured centre) joined partners Stephen Wools (left) and Josh Lefers (right) to work on the East 9th Brewing Company based in Melbourne. The three work across all parts of the business, from management, branding and concept to new products and flavours. In a crowded craft beer market, the brand ties its product to unique ideologies to differentiate itself from competitors that typically tie their brand identity to geographic location.

This aspirational way to live helps form the brand’s products, starting with Doss Blockos – bottles of which are sold in paper bags – a beer inspired by the squats of Manhattan. More recently, fuck.the.rent and Hempire – Australia’s first beer made from hemp – continue to take the brewing company in interesting directions of taste and teachings.

Shortly after the Melbourne launch of Hempire Hemp Ale, Cairns filled in on the origins and directions of the company.