The year that was

In 2012, we have seen a further increase in general awareness of the craft beer sector in this country. Some consolidation, accompanied, of course, by some “drop-outs”, has occurred but by and large the sector is thriving. There are now over 150 craft breweries in Australia.

Still, with Australia being a highly mature beer market, beer consumption in 2012 is believed to have been flat at 103 litres per capita.

In the mainstream sector we have yet to see the full impact of the arrival of SABMiller on the local scene and its effect on our duopoly situation in the beer industry. In the meantime the privately-owned Coopers brewery, which happens to be the number three brewer in Australia, has gone from strength to strength with double figure sale increases (estimated at 16 percent) and many accolades in a memorable 150th year. Market leader Lion, which is owned by Kirin, has made some notable inroads and is estimated to have raised output by one percent.

However, what we have also seen is a general decline in news about the activities of the “Big Two” brewers, one possible explanation being that both companies – Lion and Foster’s – are no longer stock market-listed in Australia.