Life at Bluestone Yeast: Juggling Plates It’s been one of those weeks where I feel like I’m running in five directions at once. Between managing yeast orders, fielding a wave of new Zinc Booster inquiries, and staying connected with our brewing community, all while juggling kids’ school and community sports, the calendar has been overflowing. But I know I’m not alone. Most brewers I talk to are in the same boat, keeping everything moving as we gear up for what we all hope will be a bumper summer season. ## Product Spotlight: Vitamin & High Gravity Boosters The biggest development at Bluestone recently has been the release of two new yeast boosters designed to support brewers through challenging fermentations: ### 🧪 Vitamin Booster A proprietary blend of essential vitamins and amino acids that don’t survive the boil. By delivering them cold-side, we’re helping yeast start strong and finish clean. Breweries trialling the Vitamin Booster have been reporting: - Improved yeast health across multiple strains- Reduced tank residency times (10, 30% faster in some cases)- Reliable performance in difficult ferments and high-gravity brews ### 💥 High Gravity Booster Formulated specifically for stress conditions, think high-gravity worts, strong ales, and other demanding ferments. By supplementing key cofactors and micronutrients, it helps yeast maintain vitality and reduce off-flavour risks even under pressure. Together, the Vitamin Booster and High Gravity Booster give brewers more control, faster tank turns, and cleaner beer, without re-engineering recipes. 👉 If you’re looking to take yeast health to the next level, reach out today for a trial. ## Brewery Visits: Beers Worth the Trip One of my highlights this month was visiting St Andrews Beach Brewery for the first time. It won’t be my last. Between the relaxed coastal vibe, cracking beers, and a chat with Louis about his plans for summer, it was a reminder of how special our local brewing community is. I also made it to the Merri Mashers Head-to-Head Competition at Clifton Hill Brewpub. What a fantastic format, interactive, engaging, and a real celebration of homebrew talent. Huge kudos to Sharif for pulling it all together once again. Events like these remind me how much passion and generosity flows through the homebrew community. ## Brewery of the Month Spotlight Since our last blog, two breweries have taken out the Bluestone Brewery of the Month title: - July: Carbon 6 Brewing- August: Bells Beach Brewing Both are brilliant examples of Aussie breweries doing exciting things. This campaign, run in partnership with The Crafty Pint, is all about shining a light on breweries making a mark, and the nominations come straight from the community. 👉 Check out the Hall of Fame here. ## Spotlight on Grainstock 2025 One event we’re especially excited about this year is Grainstock, organised by Stu from Voyager Malt. 9th-11th of Oct Grainstock is all about celebrating the farmers, maltsters, and growers who put in the hard work behind the scenes to produce the malt that underpins beer, whisky, and even bread. It’s a rare opportunity to see the story of malt up close from paddock to pint and to connect with the people who make it possible. For brewers, it’s a chance to deepen your understanding of raw materials, build connections with growers, and walk away inspired about what’s possible when we start with great grain. 👉 Check out all the details and register here: www.grainstock.com.au ## Competitions & Events on the Radar 2025 is shaping up to be a massive year for brewing competitions. Bluestone is proud to be supporting and sponsoring some of the highlights: - ExBEERimental Science 2025, A festival merging science and brewing creativity, hosted by Beerable Science.- Range Brewing: IPA Cup (Aug 30, 2025), A hop lover’s paradise.- 16th Annual ESB Home Brew Competition, A showcase of top-tier homebrew talent.- Tasmanian State Home Brew Competition, Always pushing boundaries with unique southern brews.- Keg King Cup, Creativity meets brewing skill.- NT Amateur Brewing Competition, A chance for northern brewers to shine.- VicBrew, Victoria’s state comp, a cornerstone of the calendar. (We’ll keep you posted on dates, entry details, and where Bluestone will be involved.) ## Brewing Inspiration: Recipes from Keg King It’s always a buzz to see what brewers create using Bluestone strains. Our friends at Keg King recently shared some recipe gems that showcase both classic and bold styles: - Pilsen Lager, Crisp, clean, refreshing- Brussels Ale, Belgian depth and character- Antwerp Strong Ale, Bold and complex- Michigan IPA, Hop-driven American style If you’re brewing at home, these are a brilliant way to explore different styles while putting Bluestone yeast at the centre of your process. ## Wrapping Up Yes, it’s busy. Sometimes chaotic. But being part of this passionate, thriving community makes it worth every second. From spotlighting breweries like Carbon 6 and Bells Beach, to supporting competitions, and now launching our Vitamin Booster and High Gravity Booster, it’s all about helping brewers get the most from their yeast, healthier ferments, faster tank turns, and cleaner beer. Here’s to a big summer ahead, full of yeast health, brewing breakthroughs, and cracking beers. 🍻 ## 👉 Stay Connected Want to be the first to trial our Vitamin Booster and High Gravity Booster? 📩 Reach out to us directly at derek@bluestoneyeast.com.au --- Want to improve your fermentation performance? Learn more about our Nutrient Booster range or book a discussion to talk about your brewery’s needs.