Brewery List: Update No. 20 (April 2019)
Our first update of 2019 adds those breweries that have opened since our last update in December 2018, together with those that opened late last year that missed the last update.
This update also sees, for the first time, that New South Wales has the most craft beer breweries per state.
The “rate of opening” trend of a new brewery opening every 6 days that was steady for the past 3 years, has maintained its increase and is now steadily at a new brewery opening every 5 days.
Our list of “coming breweries” still sits around 130 that are planning to open in the next 6 months to a year. The industry is still likely to continue its growth trajectory for at least the next few years.
The changes bring the current total of craft beer breweries in Australia to 637.
Of the 637 breweries:
- 27% are contract, or gypsy brewers
- 44% are small breweries. These are the nano and pub breweries
- 23% are medium size. These are the micro-breweries producing between 50,000 and 300,000 litres per year
- 6% are large breweries. These are the ones that have a regional and national presence.
Since our last update in December;
- Another 41 more new breweries have been added to our Brewery List
- 26 that have started since our last update
- 11 that started in late 2018 we have just picked up
- 4 from previous years
- Nine have been deleted. These are now listed on a seperate Closed Craft Beer Breweries page. This is the largest number of deletions in an update.
- There has been two name changes.
- Three have new or updated address details.
- With a couple having new branding and logos.
The Australian Craft Beer Brewery List
Our Brewery List includes breweries, brew pubs, brewing companies, and contract brewers. We use a wide definition for inclusion in the Brewery List on the basis that they produce craft beer for sale to the public, whether on premises or not.
Currently the number of craft beer breweries in each state is:
- 180 in New South Wales
- 177 in Victoria
- 95 in Queensland
- 73 in Western Australia
- 67 in South Australia
- 33 in Tasmania
- 8 in the ACT
- 4 in the Northern Territory
There always has been, and no doubt will always be, debate about what is craft beer and therefore what is a craft beer brewery. And we’re sure that some people may question some inclusions on the list.
We are here to spread the news about the great tastes and varieties of Australian Craft Beer and take the view that the more, the merrier. Even if some inclusions may not entirely fit everyone’s view of the world. We are, though, open to discussion around the subject.
Is a “Brewery” really a “Brewery” without a physical presence?
We think so, at least for inclusion on our Brewery List. And more people are beginning to take the same view.
The craft beer market in Australia is still new and developing, with consumers being slowly converted to the wide variety and tastes of craft beer. Most of those consumers drink their beer in a local craft beer bar, and when they see the row of tap labels on the bar, we don’t believe that they care if the beer comes from a brewery, brew pub, brewing company, contract/gypsy brewer, or even a marketing company. As long as it’s a craft beer served properly.
Our list is about helping consumers identify the different brands/companies and check if they are craft beer breweries. Our aim is to expand overall awareness and knowledge of craft beer in Australia.
Whilst there will always be discussion about what is craft beer and what is a craft beer brewery, and we welcome debate and discussion, our Brewery List is still the most comprehensive and up to date Australian Craft Beer Brewery List.
