Clubs NSW offers free beer for vaccinated people on ‘Freedom Day’

The beverage giant Lion has backed plans for a “freedom day” speciality beer on the house for NSW residents who get their Covid-19 vaccination.

The beverage giant Lion has backed plans for a “freedom day” speciality beer on the house for NSW residents who get their Covid-19 vaccination.

The company will collaborate with Batch Brewing Co to create a brand new beer celebrating Australia reaching its vaccination goal, and to be offered for free on the day the nation hits the target.

Lion managing directly James Brindley said clubs and pubs were at the “heart of communities” across Australia and he was excited to support the “fantastic initiative” proposed by Clubs NSW.

“Lion is pleased to be partnering with Batch Brewing Co to provide additional production capacity to get this beer to more Clubs across the country to celebrate reaching such an important milestone.

“Here’s cheers to meeting this milestone and getting back to doing what we all love – catching up with our friends and family over a cold beer and a meal at our local.”

Clubs NSW CEO Josh Landis (left) and Batch Brewing Company owner Andrew Fineran at the brewery in Marrickville. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Batch Brewing Co’s Andrew Fineman said plans were already underway to develop a special beer for freedom day.

“Batch is really excited to be working with Lion collaboratively to support our community and celebrate this momentous day,” he said.

Clubs NSW and Australia chief executive Josh Landis has called on the NSW Government to name a vaccination goal, so residents can celebrate “freedom day” with a drink.

He’s also asked the federal government to support the initiative by waiving the excise on any beers poured that day.

However Treasurer Josh Frydenberg told The Daily Telegraph the government had “no plans to waive the excise on beer”.

“People should be getting vaccinated because it is the right thing to do,” he said.

“That said, the PM did step in last week to allow pubs to offer free beers to the vaccinated.”

Lion has also announced plans to support pubs and clubs shuttered by the Sydney lockdown by crediting them for any unused kegs of beers nearing the end of their shelf life.

Mr Brindley said this would put more cash back into the pockets of venues doing it tough.

“Our thoughts are with everyone in the hospitality industry across Greater Sydney, and the most important thing we can do is stick together and support one another,” he said.

“We hope this initiative will go some way to easing some of the unimaginable burden that many pubs, clubs, bars and restaurants will currently be facing.”

Batch Brewing Company owner Andrew Fineran (left) and Clubs NSW CEO Josh Landis are calling for Australia to celebrate Freedom Day with a free beer. Picture: Jonathan Ng

The Australian Hotel Association is also looking to support the vaccine rollout, including offering up its pub hotels, particularly in very remote areas, as hubs for health officials to deliver the jab.

AHA national chief executive Stephen Ferguson said hotels were “on board” with whatever they could do to help the government promote the vaccine.

“There are 6,000 pubs and accommodation hotels around the country in the remotest areas where they’re sometimes the only building for miles so we’re standing by ready to assist come September and October,” he said.

Mr Ferguson said the AHA also wanted to work with its corporate partners, including the beer and wine industry, Tabcorp and the live music industry to promote the vaccine.

“We’re talking to the government about harnessing all our contacts and customers and working out how we can help sell the benefits of the vaccine,” he said.

HOW TO GET FREE BEER ONCE LOCKDOWN ENDS

Free beer for anyone who has been vaccinated — that’s the pledge from Clubs NSW, which intends to pin the state government to a vaccine target and inspire the state to vaccinate.

But now it’s up to the Berejiklian Government to set it.

Clubs NSW and Australia CEO Josh Landis said he is “calling on the NSW government to name the percentage of vaccinations needed” to allow us to get back to normal life without the threat of continued lockdowns.

He said that the jab threshold was needed to allow the citizens and businesses to aim towards a date — and celebrate when it comes with a hard earned brew.

“I do think we need some certainty about what getting back to normal looks like – we need some clarity about what the percentage of vaccinations is that means clubs and pubs won’t shut again and we can all go back to normal,” Mr Landis said.

“We want clubs to open as soon as possible, we want people to get back to work and we want people to be enjoying themselves again.

“There’s only one way we’re going to be able to make this happen and that’s have a day that we need to work towards in order to celebrate.”

Clubs NSW CEO Josh Landis at Batch Brewery in Marrickville. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Mr Landis has also urged the Federal Government to waive the alcohol tax on the free beers being poured on what he is dubbing Freedom Day.

“We’re keen for the feds to come to the party with dropping excise tax – I don’t think is a big deal for them, it’s one day,” Mr Landis said.

“The federal government should support any brewer who is committed to encouraging vaccination and creating an incentive and a thankyou for those keeping our community safe.”

Mr Landis is calling on brewers across NSW to get behind the campaign and provide the long awaited beer on the day.

Batch Brewery owner in Marrickville Andrew Fineran is working with Landis to promote the Freedom Day and encourage other breweries, suppliers and most importantly the government to get behind the celebration.

“It’s a big gesture so it’s one of those things we need support with,” Mr Fineran said.

“My brewery won’t be able to provide all the beer so we need support from other breweries, malt suppliers and keg suppliers to reduce costs.”

Batch Brewing Company owner Andrew Fineran pictured at the brewery in Marrickville. Picture: Jonathan Ng

The Sydney brewer said while waiving the excise tax on the day would be welcomed support from the government, the most crucial thing they need from the top is certainty that “Freedom Day” will be the end of life in lockdown.

“The thing we need from the government is a number for us to look forward to so we know as a business when we’re at that point where we won’t have to go back into lockdown,” he said.

“Being able to know that’s it for everyone’s confidence and businesses is going to be so liberating and a really exciting day when we get there.”

The Therapeutic Goods Administration this month relaxed rules to permit the offer of alcohol for people who have had two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine.

A health spokesman said the TGA changes made it “clear” that an offer of alcohol “must not encourage excessive or rapid consumption of alcohol” and “not have a strong or evident appeal to minors”.

“These conditions ensure that offers of alcohol will not encourage excessive alcohol intake, while allowing Australian businesses to encourage the uptake of Covid-19 vaccination by eligible Australians,” he said.