People turn to home-brewing in Townsville in COVID-19 pandemic

With pubs and clubs closed and beer selling rapidly from local bottle shops, people are turning to home brewing in hoards.

Homebrewers Warehouse owner Greg Young has been inundated with panicked brewers. Picture: Alix Sweeney

With pubs and clubs shut and beer selling rapidly from local bottle shops, people are increasingly turning to home brewing.

Homebrewers Warehouse owner Greg Young said he had smashed his sales record by more than 60 per cent this week.

Mr Young said he was inundated by customers eager to start brewing as soon as possible as they lock down in the coronavirus pandemic.

“People are realising it is better cost-wise and it is something they can do at home,” he said.

“People are buying ridiculous quantities and I can understand that.”

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Mr Young said Monday’s trade was 64 per cent higher than his best day in the lead-up to Christmas, traditionally his busiest time of year.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” he said.

Mr Young said people were either returning to brewing or giving it a go for the first time.

“We’re here and selling a wagon load of stuff. We’ve been cleaned up of so many items,” he said.

“It’s a possibility (selling out of some products) but we maintain very high stock levels anyway. I saw the writing on the wall and I ordered plenty.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison closed down pubs, clubs, indoor places of worship, cinemas, indoor sports venues, gyms and casinos on Monday as Australia lifted to level two lockdown restrictions to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Originally published as People turn to home-brewing in Townsville in COVID-19 pandemic