The Western Australian Government has unveiled the WA Craft Beer Strategy, a decade-long initiative aimed at bolstering the state’s thriving craft brewing industry across all levels of the supply chain.
Developed in collaboration with key industry organizations—including the Independent Brewers Association (IBA), Western Australian Brewers Association (WABA), and South West Brewers Alliance (SWBA)—the strategy underscores WA’s significant role in the national craft beer scene. With over 120 breweries accounting for 20% of Australia’s craft beer industry, WA is widely recognized as the birthplace of Australian craft beer, dating back to the establishment of pioneering breweries in Perth during the 1980s and 1990s.
Beer is not just a cultural staple in WA; it’s also a vital contributor to the state’s economy and tourism. According to the Department of Industries, beer injects $648 million annually into the local economy, directly supporting more than 960 full-time jobs and indirectly sustaining another 4,000 positions.
Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis highlighted the strategy’s importance in nurturing this influential industry. “Western Australia is the craft beer capital of Australia, and we want to help the local industry continue to out-brew eastern states competitors and even quench the thirst of global markets,” Jarvis said. “Our craft beer industry uses premium ingredients grown in the state’s agricultural sector, creating a unique WA paddock-to-pint experience that attracts an increasing number of customers.”
Jarvis also emphasized the strategy’s potential to boost tourism, noting that half of the state’s 120 breweries are located in regional areas. The strategy will facilitate collaboration among industry, government, and stakeholders to shape the future of WA’s craft beer sector.
Kylie Lethbridge, CEO of the IBA, noted that the WA Craft Beer Strategy aligns with similar initiatives being rolled out across Australia. “We’re a national body, and our efforts are focused on supporting the industry from a nationwide perspective,” Lethbridge said. She added that the WA plan follows ongoing efforts in South Australia and Tasmania, further strengthening local support for craft brewers.
Strategic Goals and Industry Focus
The WA Craft Beer Strategy identifies three key strengths within the industry: its unique offerings, consistent growth, and a collaborative culture among breweries and supply chain businesses. Based on these strengths, the strategy outlines five strategic priorities: enhancing industry leadership, increasing brand awareness, expanding market access and exports, optimizing the supply chain, and ensuring effective industry regulation.
To reinforce leadership, a unified body will be established to advocate for and promote WA’s craft beer industry. Supported by the IBA, WABA, and SWBA, this leadership body will also gather data on industry trends and provide training and skill development for business owners and workers.
Efforts to boost brand awareness will focus on enhancing WA’s appeal to tourists and encouraging craft beer enthusiasts to choose WA beers. This will be complemented by initiatives to explore new markets, with an emphasis on expanding the reach of WA beer to both interstate and international consumers.
The strategy also aims to support the paddock-to-pint supply chain by investing in local businesses, ensuring they can meet growing demand. Research and development into sustainability practices will play a crucial role in maintaining the industry’s long-term viability.
Supporting local farmers and ingredient suppliers is a key component of the strategy. Lethbridge highlighted ongoing efforts to assess the circular economy’s effectiveness and explore ways to improve crop yields for WA farmers.
Finally, the strategy will facilitate cooperation between the WA craft beer industry and government at both state and federal levels, while addressing regulatory challenges. The development of industry-led quality standards will help normalize excellence across the sector.
This comprehensive 10-year plan reflects the WA Government’s recognition of craft beer’s significance to the state and its potential for continued growth in size, quality, and economic impact.
Related Topics:
