Last year proved to be a challenging one for the brewing industry, but there were still some good news stories and it’s great to see B&B readers looking at signs of hope over doom and gloom.
While news of breweries closing, or going into administration inevitably appears on the list below, there are more stories about places opening, the beers people ARE drinking and what the Government and those within the brewing industry can do to revive this much-loved category.
Here are the stories from 2024, that you clicked on the most:
- Government must act now to save independent brewers – the Independent Brewers Association highlighted the ongoing impact the twice-yearly beer tax increase is having on Australia’s independent brewers.
- Wayward emerges from administration – Wayward Brewing Co and Local Drinks Collective emerged from voluntary administration following a financial restructure of both businesses.
- Craft beer: the shakeout we had to have? – Norrelle Goldring highlighted some of the challenges brewing has faced and how some brewers are surviving.
- Fermentis and IBA launch training program – Fermentis and the IBA partnered to offer IBA members with a suite of resources regarding the implementation of quality assurance programs.
- Billson’s Brewery enters voluntary administration – The iconic Australian brewer announced VA in August, then in late December The Coca-Cola Company announced it was buying Billson’s.
- The 2024 Beer & Brewer Awards finalists revealed – The 2024 Beer & Brewer Awards celebrated the best of Australian brewing, with the winners announced at the first live ceremony for the Awards.
- How Australia became a leading market for mid-strength beer – Australia led globally in mid-strength beer, driven by consumer choice, tax incentives, and health trends.
- The end of an era for Nomad Brewing Co – Kerrie Abba and Johnny Latta announced they were putting Nomad Brewing Co up for sale just shy of the Northern Beaches brewery’s 10th anniversary.
- Brewpub of the Year shared by new and established venues – Two venues shared the title of Brewpub of the Year and the Beer & Brewer Awards, with Adelaide’s Wheatsheaf Hotel and Melbourne’s Brewmanity sharing the honour.
- The beer styles dominating pub taps this summer – Pubs and beer go hand in hand, and data from CGA’s On Premise User Survey (OPUS) showed that it is still the most popular choice in-venue.
- Lager once again leading the way in Australia – Australia has had a long love affair with lager, and after years of hop-heavy beers dominating lighter styles are growing again.
- Felons Brewing Co. expands to Sydney with Manly outpost – The Brisbane-based brewery opened its new outpost, revitalising the Manly Wharf precinct in Sydney’s Northern Beaches.