Beer tourism could grow to rival wine and whisky

THE emerging niche market of beer tourism could grow to rival wine and whisky in Tasmania.

Premier Will Hodgman and Cascade Sales Manager Dominic Bury

THE emerging niche market of beer tourism could grow to rival wine and whisky in Tasmania.

Tasmania Hospitality Association general manager Steve Old said it was a growing tourism market that should be embraced.

“There’s obviously been a big focus on wine tourism and whisky tourism over the time so I think it’s appropriate, given we have two of the great breweries of the world, that we have beer tourism as well,” he said yesterday, International Beer Day.

“The craft brewers are really growing and internationally they’re growing a great reputation so I think beer is becoming synonymous with Tasmania, whether it’s through our two big breweries or our little iconic breweries.

“Just like people have understood that things like golf tourism are a big industry, I think beer tourism could be a major player for us.”

The State Government has committed $250,000 to beer tourism and the Brewers’ Association has pledged a further $100,000 to help with promote and build the local industry.

More than 200 people are employed at 10 breweries in Tasmania, including Boags in the north and Casade in the south.

More than 77,000 tourists visited a brewery in the nine months to March.

Premier Will Hodgman said the $15 million upgrade of Boags in Launceston and constant reinvestment in the Cascade Visitors Centre meant they would remain world-class tourist facilities.

Mr Hodgman said the funding would go towards growing beer festivals, developing guides and tours of local breweries, and establishing a website promoting Tasmania’s farm-to-bar fine brewing.