History

In 1994, John Stallwood bought a home brew kit as a gift for his mate Craig Stranger, hoping Craig would make beer for all his friends. Craig made one batch and then gave the kit back to John to make the beer. The first batch was called Nail Ale, and although the beer would change in many ways, the name would remain the same.

Nail Brewing’s History is a personal side of Nails achievements and personal moments. Nail is helped a great amount by his family and friends. John wants to represent small business, the Australian microbrewing industry and recovered brain damaged victims.

  • 1995 Trademark Nail Ale registered.

  • 1996 Business name Nail Brewing Australia registered.

  • 1997 John writes to Laurie Strachen, author of 'The Complete Guide to Home Brewing in Australia' for advice about getting into the brewing industry. Laurie replies, suggesting the University of Ballarat as a starting point. John studied honours in Science at the University of Ballarat in Victoria. The honours subject was titled, 'Development of a Full Strength Ale'.

  • 1999 6th May - John meets with hotel pioneer Maurice Brockwell to discuss his proposal of incorporating a microbrewery in an established hotel. Maurice suggests locating the brewery at Bobby Dazzler's.

  • 1999 August - Company name Nail Brewing Australia incorporated.
  • 1999 22nd December - Contract signed between Western Plaza Hotel Corporation (Maurice Brockwell) and Nail Brewing.

  • 1999 John joins the NEIS program with Nail Brewing Australia. NEIS helps small business’s start. http://www.nna.asn.au/NEIS.htm

  • 2000 23rd March - Nail Ale launched at Bobby Dazzler's by the honourable Norman Moore (Minister for Racing, Gaming and Liquor).

  • 2001 John becomes President of the newly formed Western Australian Brewers Association.

  • 2002 Laurie Strachen and John meet at the brewery for a Nail Ale.

  • 2002 June - Nail Stout launched at WA Beer Week.

  • 2002 September - Nail Ale wins Best Ale at the National Festival of Beers held at the Storybridge Hotel in Queensland. This festival is the largest beer festival in the southern hemisphere. Nail Ale also wins a bronze medal at the Australian International Beer Awards in Victoria.

  • 2003 May - Nail Stout wins silver in the Small Brewery Draught Stout section at the Australian International Beer Awards in Victoria.

  • 2004 9th April – John was assaulted while trying to stop an argument between strangers. Nail Brewing operations stop and the equipment is later sold. The company and parts are kept with the aim of restarting when recovered.

  • 2005 May: John joins the NEIS program with Brewing Systems Australia for consulting as a step towards restarting Nail Brewing.

  • 2005 October - John (Cindy Butcher and Jennifer Stallwood) meet with RASWA about the future PRBS. http://www.microbrewing.com.au/default.asp?ID=18933

  • 2006 28th February – John is a member of the PRBS beer committee (with RASWA) first meeting (with other WABA members Roger Bussell, Hugh Dunn and Brian Fitzgerald).

  • 2006 March – Nail has a promotion at Clancy’s Fremantle with Nail Ale and Nail Stout on tap to promote that Nail is still alive.

  • 2006 May – 2 kegs from the Clancy’s “Nail alive” promotion were entered in AIBA. Nail Ale wins silver and Nail Stout wins bronze. Red Oak brewery in NSW’s became the first Australian microbrewery to win the Grand Champion beer (John’s dream). John dream is to one day win the AIBA but is as happy as Red Oak in just entering it again.

  • 2006 May – Brewing System Australia starts consulting with Jarrah Jacks (www.jarrahjacks.com.au).

  • 2006 June – www.microbrewing.com.au website goes online. A website which is constantly changing but is aimed at being a source of information for Australian brewers and beers lovers.

  • 2006 1st December- WABA AGM, John steps down as president of WABA to put more focus in the relaunch of Nail Brewing.

  • http://www.microbrewing.com.au/default.asp?ID=667554

  • 2007 January – Entries for the PRBS close with over 200 beers. RASWA did all the work but John proud to play small part in what will be a great event for WA and Australian beers in the future.

  • 2007 February – Jarrah Jacks (Johns consulting) enters its first brewing awards the SRBC (Sydney Royal Beer Competition) and JJ Wheat wins one of only 13 Silvers (no golds given) and JJ Pale wins one of 35 bronze.

  • 2007 22nd February – Nail Ale is bottled (at JJ) for the first time.

  • 2007 22nd February – Nail Ale labels are first to have the WABA logo. The WABA logo sticker on retail outlets indicate that a WA craft beer is available. Nail design is helped by Cindy Butcher and Paul Scott.

  • 2007 March – Nail Ales first batch at Jarrah Jacks wins Silver for Package and Draught at the inaugural PRBS (Perth Royal Beer Show). Jarrah Jacks wins best low alcohol for packaged and draught with its Best Bitter with 2 silvers and 5 bronze.

  • 2007 April – Nail Ale wins Silver for package and draught at AIBA. Jarrah Jacks wins a total of 7 silver and 3 bronze.

  • 2007 May – Nail Ale brings out its new 6 pack tool box design.

  • 2007 June – Nail Ale gets good review in Beer and Brewers magazines first edition.

  • 2007 June – Jennifer Stallwood is given honourary WABA membership for her continuous contribution as founding Secretary. Jennifer is first member to be honoured since.

  • 2007 July – Bar and Club magazine lists Nail Ale in list of top 8 Pale Ales.

  • 2007 August – Jarrah Jacks wins best Pale ale and best Wheat beer in an Adelaide Wine competition entered by its distributors.

  • 2007 August – Nail Ale listed in Willie Simpsons Beer Bible second edition.

  • 2007 September – Nail Ale wins gold and 4th place at Bitter and Twisted Beer Festival (NSW).

  • 2007 December – Nail is no longer brewed at Jarrah Jacks. Nail is now brewed at Edith Cowan University (ECU) Joonalup. ECU has the Diploma of Brewing with lecturer Hugh Dunn. Hugh is a mentor of Johns.

  • 2008 January – Nail cartons are produced. One side of the carton is dedicated to explaining beer excise problems.

  • 2008 February – Nail Stout is bottled for the first time.

  • 2008- Nail Stout wins Gold and best Stout at SRBC. This is one of only 6 golds ever out of a total of over 200 enteries for 2007 and 2008.

  • 2008 April – Beer and Brewer magazine review Nail Stout as a top beer. Vic Crossland from the West Australian continues his good reviews of Nail Stout.

  • 2008- Nail Stout wins silver and bronze at AIBA.

  • 2008- Nail Ale wins two bronzes at AIBA.

  • 2008 June – Nail Stout wins Best WA Beer PRBS.
      • Nail Stout wins Best Stout Packaged PRBS.
      • Nail Stout wins Best Stout Draught PRBS.
      • Nail Stout wins Gold and Silver PRBS.
      • Nail Ale wins silver and bronze.

  • March 2009 - Nail Brewing Australia is Nominated in the top 5 small breweries in the world (39 countries) at AIBA - Nail Ale also wins gold

  • June 2009 - Nail Stout wins gold at 2009 IBC in the UK (worlds biggest packaged beer awards).

Please note: All of Nails history involves a huge amount of time and effort from Jean and Peter Stallwood (Johns parents), Jennifer Stallwood and Catherine Burns (Johns sisters), Cindy Butcher, Family and Friends.