From bold new ventures to established regional success stories, Old Ignatians are playing a key role in shaping Australia's ever-changing beverages landscape. Pete Sherrah (OR2004) is challenging perceptions of what beer can be with his newly launched non-alcoholic brand Earlybird. In the cool climate of Orange, Tom Ward (OR94) is leading the charge in premium wine with Swinging Bridge, while Lachlan MacBean (OR87) continues to champion independent craft brewing through his family-run Grainfed Brewing Company in Newcastle. Each brings a unique perspective — and a shared spirit of curiosity, creativity and connection — to an industry that remains as rewarding as it is competitive. 

Pete Sherrah (OR2004) 

1. Tell us a bit about your current role and the part of the beverages industry you're in. 

I'm a Creative Director in advertising with a 20 year career in design, branding and marketing, but decided to launch my own non-alcoholic beer brand Earlybird in July 2024 after a couple of years of developing the business with my two co-founders. 

2. What do you find most exciting (or challenging) about working in this industry right now? 

The most exciting part of the beer industry is the relationships you build. It's a very tight-knit and supportive industry, despite the challenges we all share with rising supplier costs and decreasing margins. The biggest challenge is maintaining the best quality product in a race to the bottom line. Aussies love their craft beer and the non-alcoholic category is rapidly growing with operators like ourselves and a few others focussing on craft and flavour, so it doesn't feel like a compromise. 

3. How has the industry evolved since you started your career? Any trends you're watching closely? 

I've been interested in the beer industry since I started in advertising 20 years ago. Beer ads were the biggest and the best. The ones you wanted to make, with multi-million dollar budgets and the opportunity to be cemented in culture. It's this culture within Australia that runs deep, for better or worse, and it hasn't gone away, but habits have massively shifted. 18 year olds are choosing not to drink at all, particularly with the rise of pioneers like Heaps Normal literally "normalising" non-drinking culture and bucking the trend over the last 5-6 years, particularly with the shift in behaviours during COVID. The non-alcoholic category is far from a trend, it's here to stay, but there are many iterations within the category that are interesting to watch, from hop water to microdosed THC-infused beer. 

4. How did your time at Riverview shape your career or outlook? 

Riverview set me up with every opportunity to pursue my passion of art and design as a career. The best part about my time at the school was knowing I had access to the resources and opportunities that interested me then afforded me the humility and eagerness to develop them throughout my career. If you don't learn to fail, you fail to learn. What the school ultimately taught me rings true in business - you don't have to know everything, but having access to the right people and resources to be collaborative and stay hungry is key to succeeding. Or at least trying. 

5. If you could share a drink (of your choice!) with any person, past or present, who would it be – and why? 

There's too many people and too many drinks, but I'd have to say a nice glass of Spanish tempranillo with old Inigo himself would have gone a long way. His influence at the time and obviously to this day is pretty profound, so an in person conversation and life lesson would be like a fast-tracked decade of a Jesuit education. I wonder what he would have thought about non-alcoholic beer. 

Follow Pete (pictured below with EarlyBird co-founders Michael and Alex) and his business at www.drinkearlybird.com.au and on Instagram @drinkearlybird 

Tom Ward (OR94) 

1. Tell us a bit about your current role and the part of the beverages industry you're in.  

We are Swinging Bridge Wines, based in Orange, and we specialise in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. 

2. What do you find most exciting (or challenging) about working in this industry right now? 

The wine industry is in a period of change at present and Orange is at the forefront of this. The evolution is to more delicate whites and medium bodied reds which is suited to our cool climate. Swinging Bridge is leading in the region, winning Best Wine of the Orange Show in 2023 and 2024, highest ranked winery in the Halliday Wine Companion in Orange, and being nominated for 2026 Viticulturalist of the Year for Australia. 

3. How has the industry evolved since you started your career? Any trends you're watching closely? 

The industry had evolved massively - we are now seeing the high end producers lead the charge. Volume is not the answer but provenance and caring for what you are doing is. 

4. How did your time at Riverview shape your career or outlook? 

Riverview was instrumental in shaping my way in business. I have been involved in 'giving back' in sitting on state and national boards (all non-paying) for the wine industry, as well as heavily involved in the local community. I've been lucky to have had the education and to develop skills and knowledge that I can bring to the industry I've been involved in. 

5. If you could share a drink (of your choice!) with any person, past or present, who would it be – and why? 

Well I'm a bit biased! It would have to be our Mrs Payten Chardonnay from Orange that I named after my grandmother - she passed away in 2018 and it is a wine that I made with her in mind, and the conversations that can be had with a glass of wine. Follow Tom (pictured below) and his business here https://www.swingingbridge.com.au

Lachlan MacBean (OR87) 

1. Tell us a bit about your current role and the part of the beverages industry you're in. 

I'm the owner and Head Brewer of Grainfed Brewing Company. We're a family owned and operated Independent Brewery carving out our little share in the beer industry (the greatest industry). We sell beer wholesale to pubs, clubs, restaurants and bottle shops, and onsite at our 120-seat brewery in Lambton, Newcastle. 

2. What do you find most exciting (or challenging) about working in this industry right now? 

As a small producer we're very nimble. It excites me to take an idea from my brain into the glass in 21 days, then to watch our customer's reaction when they first taste that creation. It gets me out of bed each day. Challenging is the the duopoly of the big 2 foreign owned brewers who control over 85% of tap contracts at pubs and venues, making it hard for the little guy to get tap space. 

3. How has the industry evolved since you started your career? Any trends you're watching closely? 

I've been in the beer industry for 21 years now, so I've seen many changes as well as trends. Today there is a greater awareness of beer varieties (over 105 recognised styles), as well as an appreciation of the providence of the beer that is drunk. There has never been a better time in the history of civilisation to be a beer drinker than right now. The choice and variety out there is enormous. Current trends are the rise in the non-alcohol sector which has been around for several years. From this, I can see a return of the light alcohol segment, under 3% abv, which our R&D department is working on now. 

4. How did your time at Riverview shape your career or outlook? 

My time at Riverview taught me to always approach things with an open mind, whether that is in friendship, social, sporting or now in business situations. It also opened me up to be curious, as well as to always question the status quo (which has sometimes not worked out for the best). 

5. If you could share a drink (of your choice!) with any person, past or present, who would it be – and why? 

Nelson Mandela. To have the humility and forgiveness for his oppressors after 27 years in prison I find amazing. To then go on to become the First President and work with FW De Klerk for 5 years as his deputy to unify that country for the greater good is an inspiring tale. 

Follow Lachlan (pictured Below) and his business at www.grainfedbrewing.com.au on Instagram @grainfed_beer and on Facebook at grainfedbrewing