Australia: Australia’s beer market dominated by international big companies

Consumer group Choice says a review of Australia’s beer market has found it remains dominated by the Japanese-owned Lion and London-based SABMiller, The Observer reported on January 27.

While many beers sold in Australia are marketed as locally owned "craft beer", the Choice analysis finds up to 47% of the domestic market is dominated by the big companies.

Among the brands consumers may have thought were local, were James Squire, Little Creatures and White Rabbit, all owned by Kirin-Lion.

Other top brands owned by overseas interests included Alehouse Summer Gold (Coca-Cola); and Fat Yak, Matilda Bay and Redback, owned by SABMiller.

Choice spokesman Tom Godfrey said their review came as the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission investigates whether big companies are trying to lock out smaller breweries from the lucrative pub market.

"There's big money to be made in craft beer with the demand for a premium taste. Consumers are happy to pay for this," he said.

"Gone are the days where 'a hard earned thirst needs a big cold beer'. There's no 'treating strains or fixing trains'.

"Instead there's the quest for premium taste with an array of pilsners, pale ales and stouts, or beer infused with flavours like coffee, chocolate, truffles and even oysters."

Mr Godfrey said it was up to consumers to decide whether they wanted to drink a beer from a larger brewer, or an Australian-owned micro-brewery.

29 January, 2014