Bridge Road Brewing has launched a major campaign encouraging beer drinkers to take a closer look at who actually owns their favourite brew.
According to Shedshaker, 90 per cent of people think they are buying local beer when, in reality, they could be supporting overseas-owned brewing giants.
Two major Japanese companies, Asahi Group Holdings and Kirin Holdings, have significant interests in Australia’s beer market, with Asahi acquiring Carlton & United Breweries in 2020.
As a result, familiar favourites including Victoria Bitter, Carlton Draught, Great Northern and Pirate Life sit within the portfolios of major international brewing groups.
While many of these beers are still brewed in Australia and support local jobs, their ownership means profits ultimately flow to overseas parent companies rather than independent Australian businesses.
One South Australian brewery keeping things local is Uraidla Brewery, owned by Julie Fraser, who also owns the adjoining pub and café.
The brewery operates with a small team of three brewers, including head brewer Max, and keeps the vast majority of its production close to home, with 99 per cent of its beer staying in South Australia.
“I would almost consider us a South Australian brewery even more than an Australian brewery,” Max said.
He explained that independent ownership also gives the brewing team the freedom to experiment and develop new ideas without navigating multiple layers of management.
“The owner actually kind of gives us pretty much free rein of whatever we want to make,” he said.
For Max, that creative freedom is one of the biggest benefits of working for an independent brewery, allowing the team to take a more personal approach to what ends up in the glass.
“Anyone drinking our beers is supporting a local business, so that’s always great,” he said.
Uraidla Brewery supplies just under 100 accounts, including bottle shops and pubs, with customers also able to order directly through its website.
So, which beer brands are Australian-owned?
For those looking to support independent Australian brewers, there are several local names worth knowing.
Uraidla Brewery is a South Australian favourite known for its contemporary beer styles, including IPAs, while Coopers Brewery remains a proudly Australian-owned, family-operated South Australian institution.
Prancing Pony Brewery, based in the Adelaide Hills, is another independent option, producing award-winning beers known for their full-bodied flavours. Loophole Brewing, meanwhile, operates on South Australia’s Limestone Coast from the Cape Jaffa Wines cellar.
Each offers beer drinkers an alternative to the major international brewing groups, while helping support independently owned businesses and the local brewing industry.
How can you tell if your beer is independently Australian-owned?
One of the easiest ways to check is to look for the Certified Independent logo on a can or bottle. The logo helps consumers identify beer produced by qualifying independent Australian breweries.
You can also visit the Independent Brewers Association website for a list of independent breweries and more information about the certification.
So, next time you’re browsing the bottle shop or ordering a round at the pub, it could be worth taking a moment to check the label. Choosing an independently owned Australian beer is one simple way to support local businesses and the people behind the brew.
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