News

In the past 24 hours Sydney Beer Co. has gone into administration, Newstead Brewing Co. in Queensland has ceased operations and Konvoy Kegs has moved into receivership.

Newstead Brewing Co. and Sydney Beer Co. both long standing leaders in the independent beer movement which sought to give consumers a locally made beer, a wider variety of choice and a welcoming community meeting place.

Konvoy Kegs invested heavily in the brewing industry and its people over the last decade, bringing innovation and competition which reduced the capital necessary for small breweries to gain access to the wholesale market.

They have also been generous with their time and expertise in supporting the entire sector and we are humbled by their contributions to our Association over that time.

“This is a devastating blow for an industry already on its knees and we are shocked and saddened for our friends and colleagues.

For years’ now we have been telling Government that the structural conditions they have allowed to continue around taxation, regulation and a foreign duopoly were killing small Australian owned breweries.

The past 24 hours is not the canary in the coal mine – it is a giant waving red flag that Government inaction is letting a beloved Australian industry die.” Says Kylie Lethbridge, CEO of the Independent Brewers Association.

These closures mean real job losses, less competition in the market and less consumer choice.

The two major parties have recently come out with announcements that are not immediate enough or meaningful enough to save Australia’s cohort of small beer producers or their supply chain.

48% of independent breweries struggle to retain profitability yet we contribute approx. $3.53 billion annually to the nation’s economy and employ over half of the total beer sector. Labor and the Coalition can claim that they pro small business but their failure to step up with meaningful support to stem the bleeding now demonstrates just the opposite.

As the 2025/26 federal budget is being prepared there is an immediate opportunity to take action with meaningful support for small Australian brewing businesses by:

1. Expanding the 2-year freeze on excise to include ALL beer not just draught.
2. Committing to increase the excise remissions threshold by $50,000 commencing on 1 July 2025.
3. Commit to a review of the brewing industry to ensure fair market access for small independent brewers.

Or even better:

1. CUT to the excise rates for Australian owned breweries.
2. Increase the rebate for Australian owned breweries only.

If you want to help #saveindiebeer then don’t forget to get involved in our Campaign here.