SWAN, Bassendean and Avon Valley craft beer brewers are among those who will benefit from a new state government supported strategy to grow WA’s craft beer sector.
The state government revealed on August 2 a new strategy to boost WA’s craft beer sector production, create jobs and promote the industry’s ‘paddock to pint’ tourism experience.
The paddock to pint narrative is about brewing with locally sourced ingredients, supplied through to local brewers, distributors, retailers, and to consumers.
The industry-led strategy aims to boost production, with the goal of tripling either the volume or value of locally produced beer over 10 years.
The strategy was developed in partnership between the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and the Independent Brewers Association, Western Australian Brewers Association (WABA) and South West Brewers Alliance.
Swan’s Mash Brewing, Bailey Brewing Co, Homestead Brewing, Feral Brewing Co, Funk Cider, Bassendean’s Nail Brewing and Eclipse Brewing Co in Northam are all WABA members who will be impacted by the strategy.
The Western Australian Craft Beer Strategy comes as a first in WA to bring together all parts of the craft beer supply chain to drive forward a unified and sustainable industry.
It also strives to improve supply chain integration, including those that produce homegrown barley, hops and malt, and the local businesses that provide packaging, distribution and retail services.
WA is considered to be the birthplace of Australia’s craft beer sector, with the establishment of a handful of now iconic breweries in Perth in the 80s and 90s.
Beer manufacturing contributed an estimated $648 million to the WA economy in 2020-21, directly supporting around 967 full-time jobs and indirectly supporting more than 4,000 jobs across the state.
The five strategic priorities are industry leadership, brand awareness, market access and export opportunities, supply chain management, and regulation.
A summary of the strategy can be viewed at the DPIRD's website.
