Feeling the pinch

Home brew shop operators report that world’s financial turmoil has brought about a resurgence in home brewing in Australia, with more people buying home brew kits as they seek to reduce living costs.

Coopers Brewery, the largest home brew kit supplier in the world, have noted a general increase in sales of up to 10 percent in the last quarter with demand for their premium (international) range up by 25 percent on last year. About one third of Coopers annual output of about three million home brew cans is exported.

Moreover, a tighter economic situation is pushing Australian drinkers towards greater consumption of cheaper forms of alcohol, according to research conducted by a South Australian liquor retail group. Premium wine and beer sales have fallen over the past few months but those for cask wines and standard beers have increased to some extent.