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South Australia has a long and proud history in the brewing industry – and the independent brewing sector is a vital part of the success of that industry. 

In 2023/2024 independent breweries contributed $219 million to the economy and contributed to 2,499 jobs in South Australia.   Independent breweries provide skilled jobs across both the city and regional South Australia and provide gambling free-meeting places.

South Australian independent breweries want to grow but have never received a direct investment of any kind from the Government.

In contrast, the South Australian Government has continued to invest heavily in the wine industry to strengthen its sustainability and increase the domestic demand for SA wine.  But the independent brewing sector that has so much to offer in the way of driving tourism, supporting local agriculture and bringing meaningful jobs to the regions – has received ZERO.

Importantly, the wine industry has many privileges that we can only dream of. Much of which flows from its home in Government through the Department of Primary Industries and Regions, where the industry enjoy all of the benefits that flow from having dedicated research and inclusion in key state policies.  And importantly, this creates an open door for more and more investment in the sector.

Now, we aren’t saying that there aren’t great staff at policy level who talk to us and try to get things done – we’re looking at you BrandSA. But that is not because of a direct financial investment, or because there is government policy. That is because independent breweries in South Australia have banged on the doors of the right people to be heard.

Over the years, at the IBA we’ve heard many times “but we spoke to Coopers,” “we consulted with Coopers,” or “Coopers were on tap at the festival so there doesn’t need to be any inclusions for small businesses.” It is right, Coopers are a South Australian success story to be proud of – a multi-generational family-owned company that has outlasted many of its competitors.

Despite the fact that Coopers likes to trade on the brand “independent” they do not represent the views of all independent breweries.  In fact, given the choice, Coopers have actively chosen to lobby alongside the two foreign owned multinational breweries, extensively use tap contracts to lock out smaller independent breweries from growing market access in the State and have used their market position and name to accumulate benefits for their own business.  And unlike many of their counterparts around Australia – have never actively invested in supporting the broader industry unless there is a direct benefit to Coopers. Coopers are pulling the ladder up behind them, not trying to float all boats.

Put simply, for far too long South Australian politicians have been able to refuse to invest in the brewing sector because they are shielded from any consequence by pointing to Coopers Brewing success.   That is a policy failure that favors a single business over a sector and is a direct reason that we have not seen the sector grow.

We do not contend that the South Australian wine industry is worth investing in. What we cannot understand is how policy makers have stood on the sideline and seen small South Australian breweries close while stating they are about supporting the regions.  Why is it okay to lose jobs and economic contribution from brewing but not from wine?

This is not about regional development or agriculture. 51% of our Independent breweries are in regional and rural areas, and South Australia is recognised as a global leader in the grain industry and the Yorke Peninsula produces some of the best malting barley for brewing in the world. 

We know South Australians want to support their small local brewery – so let’s make sure that the average punter can continue to get their beer from their local. This election, we’re urging all the parties to invest in the small South Australian breweries that have stood on their own two feet by making a commitment to direct investment in the industry.