Victoria Supports Rapidly Growing Microbrewery, Beer Industry
Strong Brumby Labor Government support for Victoria’s microbrewery sector has seen it grow rapidly in the past 12 months and win big at a major beer awards night last week.
Nine Victorian breweries – many from regional Victoria – shared in a pouring of awards at the Australian International Beer Awards, one of the most prestigious events of its kind in the world.
Parliamentary Secretary for Regional and Rural Development Jaala Pulford said 2 Brothers’ Voodoo beer won the Premier’s Trophy for best Victorian beer at the awards ceremony held last night at Crown Palladium.
She congratulated the brewery and added that eight other Victorian beers from a variety of craft breweries received Gold Medals during the judging process showing the breadth of quality within the Victorian craft beer sector.
“Victoria is a national leader in the beer industry, with more beer and malt establishments than any other State and many small craft breweries in our regions,” she said.
“The Brumby Labor Government is proud to support the Australian International Beer Awards – the country’s most prestigious beer event.
“Our Government is a long-time supporter of the Australian and Victorian beer industry which generates $3 billion annually in Australia.
“That is why we are a major sponsor of the Premiers Trophy for the Best Victorian Beer.
“In sponsoring the Premier’s Trophy our Government is helping the Victorian beer industry stay competitive, increase its profile, and strive for excellence.”
Ms Pulford said the microbrewery industry in Victoria had 35 members – an increase of 10 in just two years – and was gearing up to grow to 50 microbreweries this year, sustaining 260 full-time jobs and contributing more than $180 million to the Victorian economy.
“The sector’s rapid growth, particularly in regional Victoria, strengthens our status as the leading microbrewing state,“ Ms Pulford said.
In addition to sponsorship of the Australian International Beer Awards, the Brumby Labor Government has also supported the craft brewery industry by funding the annual Beer Lovers’ Guide to Victoria’s Microbreweries since 2003.
The guide is distributed widely through visitor information services, local and regional tourism associations, and hospitality industry outlets including hotels, bars, restaurants and microbreweries.
“The Beer Lovers’ Guide to Victoria’s Microbreweries generates increased awareness, promotion and sales of Victorian craft beers,” Ms Pulford said.
“It also generates increased visitation to regional areas as people visit breweries and increase sales at cellar door.”
The Brumby Government also funded two microbrewery showcases last year at Federation Square allowing beer lovers to taste an array of boutique Victorian brews.
The two other finalists in the Premier’s Trophy were Bridge Road Breweries with Chevalier Saison beer, and Holgate Brewhouse with ESB beer.
This year’s Awards attracted 1170 entries from 243 breweries across 34 countries including Germany, Scandinavia, Denmark, Norway, USA, UK, Belgium, New Zealand, the Czech Republic, Thailand, Singapore, Papua New Guinea, Chile and Australia.
In 2010, 30 Victorian breweries entered and exhibited a total of 223 beers. Nine Victorian craft beers received gold medals, including:
|
Beer |
Brewery |
Location |
|
E.S.B |
Holgate Brewhouse |
Woodend |
|
Chevalier Saison |
Bridge Road Brewers |
Beechworth |
|
Temptress |
Holgate Brewhouse |
Woodend |
|
Temple Special Bitter |
Temple Brewing Company |
Melbourne |
|
Surefoot Stout |
Mountain Goat Beer |
Richmond |
|
White Rabbit Dark Ale |
White Rabbit Brewery |
Healesville |
|
Red Hill Brewery Christmas Ale |
Red Hill Brewery |
Red Hill (Mornington Pensinsula) |
|
Red Hill Brewery Imperial Stout |
Red Hill Brewery |
Red Hill (Mornington Pensinsula) |
The Awards are presented annually by the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria in association with the University of Ballarat.
The Premier’s Trophy is sponsored under the Government’s Food Industry for a Regionally Sustainable Tomorrow (FIRST) program with $15,000 over two years.
FIRST aims to build capability within regional Victoria’s food industry to support future competitiveness and sustainability in domestic and international markets.
“FIRST is part of Moving Forward, the Brumby Government’s $570 million action plan to make provincial Victoria a great place to live, work and invest,” Ms Pulford said.
Topics: 2 Brothers, 2010, alcohol, Australia, Australian International Beer Awards, bars, beer, beer awards, Best Victorian Beer, Bridge Road Breweries, Brumby Labor Government, business, Chevalier Saison beer, craft beer sector, Crown Palladium, drinking, economic development, economic growth, economic recovery, Economy, employment, ESB beer, Governance, government, Holgate Brewhouse, hotels, Jaala Pulford, jobs, leading microbrewing state, microbreweries, Microbrewery, moniter, monitor, news, promotion, recreation, restaurants, Rural development, sales, society, The Beer Lovers’ Guide to Victoria’s Microbreweries, Victoria, Voodoo beer
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