Number of craft breweries explodes to nearly 600

Statistically, a new craft beer brewery opens every six days in Australia. The industry has grown by almost 200 percent in the past seven years. Fifty-two new breweries, brewpubs and contract brewers opened in 2018, bringing the number of craft breweries to 585 - a 197 percent increase since 2011, or one brewery for every 41,500 people (aged over 18).

Media say that the most recent quarter saw the highest number of brewery openings per quarter since the Australian Craft Beer Brewery List was set up in 2014.

Industry experts believe that the trend will continue while demand for craft beer outstrips supply. Craft beer only represents 5 percent of the Australian beer market.

For historically-minded readers, the surge in craft breweries can be divided into four distinct waves. There were the Pioneers (1984 to 2000) with only 86 breweries opening and 37 closing over this period. Most of the early start-ups have since closed.

Next came the Developers (2001 to 2004). Over those years, the rate of annual brewery openings doubled, with an average of nine breweries each year. Almost half are still open today.

Then came the New Wave (2005 to 2013) and with it 22 new breweries annually. Most are still open.

Since 2014, Australia has seen a Gold Rush in terms of brewery openings. Each year an average of 68 breweries have been added to the list. This equates to a new craft beer brewery opening every six days.