A legally blind Australian brewer has turned years of difficulty finding work into a growing business, with Jacob Viel’s Blind Boy Brewing now producing 16 varieties of beer in Salisbury, Brisbane.
Viel, 38, has spent more than a decade refining his craft and has adapted his brewery so he can work safely and independently. Colour-coded equipment, talking devices and specialist computer software help him manage the brewing process.
The business operates from the Food Connect Shed in Salisbury, where Viel runs a small-batch brewery and sells beer through its taproom and cellar door. Blind Boy Brewing also supplies bars, pubs and venues across south-east Queensland.
After struggling to secure employment because of his sight loss, Viel decided to create an accessible brand of his own. His beer cans feature braille, while the brewery’s branding uses strong colour contrast to make it easier for people with limited vision to identify.
He began brewing at home after receiving a starter kit from his father, later studying brewing at TAFE Queensland. The business grew from an operation under his house, where he tested recipes with friends, into a commercial brewery based at the community food hub.
Viel’s work received industry recognition earlier this year when he was named joint winner of the Emerging Queensland Brewer award at the 2026 Royal Queensland Beer Awards. His beers also collected medals at the competition, including silver for Blind Boy’s Lime Sour and bronze for its Easy Access Session Pale and Chai Porter.
Despite his visual impairment, Viel says the brewing process itself is no different from that followed by other brewers. Instead, he has changed the way he carries out each stage, using large writing, coloured tape, digital tools and other practical adjustments.
“I guess it’s been a long journey,” he told 7NEWS.
The Blind Boy Brewing bar opens every Friday and Saturday from 2pm to 7pm, with live music and a food truck on offer.
“It’s probably one of the smallest breweries in Australia, but it’s making the biggest impact,” Viel said.
