Australia: Government unveils new strategy to grow Western Australia's craft beer sector

The Cook Government on August 2 unveiled a new strategy to grow Western Australia's craft beer sector, create jobs and promote the industry's 'paddock to pint' tourism experience, WA.gov.au reported.

The inaugural Western Australian Craft Beer Strategy brings together all parts of the craft beer supply chain to drive forward a unified and sustainable industry.

The industry-led strategy aims to boost production, with the ambitious goal of tripling either the volume or value of locally produced beer over ten years.

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 Perthin the 1980s and '90s.

There are now more than 120 breweries across the metropolitan area and regional WA, representing 20 per cent of the national industry.

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 industry-led strategy was facilitated by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development as a partnering initiative with the Independent Brewers Association, Western Australian Brewers Association and South West Brewers Alliance.

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 on websites of the industry bodies and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

Comments attributed to Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis:

"Western Australia is the craft beer capital of Australia, and we want to help the local industry continue to 'out brew' eastern states competitors and even quench the thirst of global markets.

"Our craft beer industry uses premium ingredients grown in the State's agricultural sector and it's that unique WA 'paddock to pint' experience that an increasing number of customers are drawn to.

"It's also a major draw card for tourists with more than 120 breweries across the State, half of which are in our regions.

"The inaugural Western Australian Craft Beer Strategy will lay the groundwork for industry, Government and other stakeholders to collaborate and shape the future of the craft beer industry."

02 August, 2024