New plan to boost craft beer industry in Southern Forests and across State

The first strategy to boost WA’s Beer industry has been announced with a goal to triple production, create jobs ,and strengthen the paddock-to-pint tourism experience. The Western Australian Craft Beer Strategy brings together all aspects of the craft beer supply chain to create a unified and sustainable economic industry, while also increasing jobs across WA. Warren-Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie said the industry-led strategy would ensure WA’s craft beer industry not only thrived but continued to innovate and grow “Warren-Blackwood is home to some incredible local breweries, and I’m excited to see the launch of the first-ever Western Australian Craft Beer Strategy,” Ms Kelsbie said. She said the plan aimed to triple the volume or value of locally produced beer over the next decade while also creating jobs in the industry. Beer manufacturing contributed an estimated $648 million to the WA economy in 2020-21, directly supporting more than 960 full-time jobs and another 4000 indirectly. WA’s more than 120 breweries represent 20 per cent of the national industry. The strategy will aim to improve supply chain integration, including the production of homegrown barley, hops and malt, and the local businesses providing packaging, distribution and retail services. The paddock-to-pint plan will help cement craft beer’s sector in the State’s tourism make-up. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development worked with the Independent Brewers Association, the Western Australian Brewers Association and the South West Brewers Alliance on the strategy.