Gold Coast brewers at risk if support dries up

Gold Coasters are being asked to help support local breweries after shock figures showed the scale of the hit to the industry.

BOUTIQUE breweries say they are going flat and risk drying up for good without support during the coronavirus crisis.

A shock survey by the independent Brewers Association reveals all members, including the 19 brewers on the Gold Coast, had suffered on average a 69 per cent drop in revenue since tight business and social restrictions were enforced.

It effectively meant a total shutdown of the hospitality sector, wiping out the wholesale/on tap market for breweries.

The IBA has since called for a reduction to the Federal Government’s excise already granted to the wine industry.

“Indie brewers are at a massive competitive disadvantage to the multinational mega-brewers

because our beer is handcrafted, which means we employ 15 times the number of employees

per litre of beer,” IBA Chairman Peter Phillip said.

“If we don’t do something now the losses could be devastating for the entire independent beer industry.”

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Pete Phillip, chairman of the Independent Brewers Association.

The IBA is lobbying the Federal Government for greater support to help save the industry.

Burleigh Brewing founder Peta Fielding said the excise could be a huge hit to businesses short on cash because of the pandemic.

“We pay excise on any beer that leaves our brewery this week on the next Monday, well before the beer is paid for. That can be roughly 25 per cent of revenue so it is a lot of cash to be funded upfront.

“I am sure any relief on that would be welcome.”

Despite the dire outlook by many Ms Fielding said the industry was full of resilient, creative people.

“I am really hopeful the end won’t happen, it is a really unique, awesome bunch of people in the industry.

“We are the suppliers into a market that has been impacted way more than us. We all feel for hospitality at the moment.”

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Burleigh Brewing founder Peta Fielding.

Lost Palms Brewing Co. sales and marketing manager Zak Nalder said it was a critical time to show support for local breweries.

While still operating the Miami-based company says it had lost wholesale income following the mass closure of venues statewide.

“The wholesale market is about 60-70 per cent so it is a fair big chunk of revenue,” Mr Nalder said.

“We know of some operating takeaway but not too many.

Inside Lost Palms Brewing in Miami. Picture: Jerad Williams.

“The best way to help us would be to buy from independent-owned bottle shops, so the money gets back to the brewery faster – or best of all go to the source and buy direct.

“The Gold Coast is a small area, with not a huge population so there is worry for small producers.”

GOLD COAST INDEPENDENT BREWERIES

Burleigh Brewing

Lost Palms Brewing

Bine Bar & Dining

Black Hops Brewery

The House of Brews

Balter Brewing, Currumbin

Backbone Bar & Kitchen

Black Hops 2 (Microbrewery in Biggera Waters)

Madocke Beer Brewing

Brewed Brewery

Pickled Pig Brewery

Fortitude Brewing / Noisy Minor

Tapworks Coomera

Scenic Rim Craft Brewery

Stone and Wood (20 mins from Coolangatta)

Pickled Pig Brewery (on border)

Currumbin Valley Brewing

Red Earth brewery (on border)

Aardvark and Arrow Brewing