Inner west craft breweries enshrined in State law

Thursday, 28 June 2018

Craft breweries are raising a glass to news that a new State Government liquor authorisation for microbreweries will be trialled for the next 12 months in the Inner West Council area.

Following advocacy from Inner West Council and craft brewers, the State Government has today agreed to allow local breweries to operate as small bars with up to 100 patrons, making it easier for microbreweries to open, operate and grow.

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne welcomed the acceptance of the proposal, saying the changes finally give microbreweries the certainty they need.

“I want the Inner West to be for craft beer what the Hunter Valley and the Barossa are to Australian wine,” said Mayor Byrne.

“But red tape has been putting a brake on growth, with new brewers struggling to get development applications processed and licensing restrictions causing headaches for owners once a brewery is open.

“Giving craft brewers certainty about the space they can make available for tasting rooms as well as clarification on what products they can sell on the premises will be a huge step forward.

“Council and Inner West brewers have been fighting for this and I commend the Government for listening and acting,” he said.

“There was a real danger that outdated regulations would drag the industry down.

“This new legislation will give us the tools we need to cement the Inner West as the craft beer capital of Australia,” he added.

Inner West Brewery Association President, Peter Philip of Wayward Brewing Co, said, “this common sense change will help us to build more sustainable businesses, continue to contribute to the local community and employ more local people.

“The unique business model of craft microbreweries relies on people knowing that their beer is made by a local, independent small business and providing a venue for them to enjoy the beer and see where it is made.

“People of the Inner West have embraced their local breweries and we applaud the government for recognising microbreweries as an asset to the community,” he said.

The changes to planning controls and licensing legislation are slated to start from September 1 and, if successful, will subsequently be rolled out across NSW.

Over the past few years, craft brewing has exploded in the Inner West, with 10 microbreweries currently in operation and many more in the planning stage.

Inner West Council is also working with local microbreweries, tourism operators and government agencies to promote “craft brewery trails” in the area.

For more on the Inner West craft breweries, watch the video here.

For further information please contact John Roper on 9392 5914.