It’s official. Beer is a major contributor to the Australian economy. Research by ACIL Allen Consulting for the Brewers Association of Australia, found Beer generates $16.9 billion per year in economic activity. So grab a Beer Glass, pour a beer and celebrate the good news!
Beer is good for jobs and GDP
The research uncovered a host of benefits for the Australian economy, highlighting the importance of the grain to glass value chain.
- 95% of all beer sold in Australia is made locally.
- The production of beer supports more than 143,000 Australian jobs.
- For every direct full-time equivalent job making beer in an Australian brewery, a further 26.6 jobs are created elsewhere in the economy.
- From grain to glass, beer accounts for 1.02% of GDP.
State by state, the eastern seaboard benefits the most from the beer economy. This is probably due to larger farming inputs and larger population/consumer base.
Research has also shown a growth in the consumption of beer, which has bucked the trend of recent years. So what’s driving our thirst for beer?
Trends in beer consumption
According to IBISWorld, Beer consumption is expected to rise to 3.86 litres a head in 2017-18, up from 3.76 litres in 2014-15.
- 9.1 million Australians drink beer.
- Consumption of low-strength beer remained unchanged in 2015-16.
- Consumption of mid- and full-strength beer consumption grew.
- In 2015-16, Australian beer drinkers poured $2 billion into excise taxes and $1.78 billion into GST.
As consumers seek more variety and quality in the beer they drink, they are increasingly turning to craft beers. IBISWorld found that the production of craft beer in Australia is expected to grow at 9.7% a year over the five years through 2017-18. This growth surpasses the mainstream beer manufacturing industry, which is expected to grow by just 2.1% over the same period.
Growing demand for Craft Beer
Because craft beer is outgrowing the beer manufacturing segment in Australia, Beer Cartel developed the 2017 Australian Craft Beer Survey. Results of the survey included the following:
- Brewery ownership is extremely important – 64% of craft beer drinkers want to know who owns the beer.
- Independent ownership is important – 99% of drinkers prefer to buy craft beer from an independent Australian owned brewery.
- Identifying independent brewers is important to consumers’ purchase decision – 82% of craft beer drinkers indicated that an independent brewer’s seal would impact their choice of craft beer.
- Pale Ale is the most consumed craft beer – 92% of craft beer drinkers choose a Pale Ale.
- Almost half of Australian craft beer drinkers use mobile beer apps. Untapped is the most used beer app in Australia.
- Craft beer drinkers spend between $26 and $100 on beer a week. The average weekly spend on craft beer was $55.
- 73% of drinkers believe beer tastes better from a glass.
With so many craft beer drinkers preferring a beer glass, let’s look at why this is important to your enjoyment of beer.
Benefits of drinking from a Beer Glass
According to Beer Cartel there are three reasons you should drink beer from a beer glass.
- Taste & Smell – you will maximise taste and aroma if you use a beer glass. 70% of taste comes from smell alone. Drinking from a can or bottle minimises the release of aromas and our ability to smell them.
- Head retention and carbonation – A beer glass will assist in head retention, while carbonation (often being released from nucleation points at the bottom of the glass) will provide greater mouth feel.
- Visually appealing – Visual appeal in eating and drinking is paramount. Drinking from a beer glass allows your visual senses to be stimulated, which in turn can enhance your sense of taste, smell and flavour.
As the beer glass has the potential to enhance the customer experience, choosing the right beer glass can also come into play.
Which type of Beer Glass do you choose?
Choosing the right Beer Glass will bring out the characteristics of each beer, and enhance your customers’ experience.
We have a range of beer glasses that should match your generic beers and craft beers.
- Pint Glasses – The straight sides of the Shaker Pint mean the beer will lose its aroma and the thicker glass will mean the beer will warm up quickly. However it is easy to hold and stack.
- The Imperial or Tulip Pint has a wide mouth for head retention and its shape provides a deeper look at a beer’s colours.
- The Nonic Pint is also good for head retention and is easy to hold.
- Pint Glasses suit Ales, Lagers, Stouts, Porters and IPAs.
- Snifter, Tulip and Goblet Beer Glasses – These Beer Glasses have a wide body on a stem of thinner glass that lets bold beers warm nicely, while letting you experience the full effect of taste and aroma. Tulip Beer Glasses enhance the volatiles while retaining proper head retention. Suits Strong Ales, Pale Ales, and IPAs.
- IPA and Stout Glasses – Ridges at the base of the glass aerate the beer as you sip meaning greater head retention.
- Pilsner Glasses – Tall and slender with a slight taper that showcases carbonation while allowing the proper head retention.
- Wheat Beer Glasses – The tall and curvaceous shape allows the retention of a full fluffy head while allowing enjoyment of aroma and taste of the beer.
Equally important is keeping your beer lines clean with a quality Beer Line Cleaner, and washing your beer glasses.
Regardless of the type of beer you drink or the type of glass it’s in, continue to enjoy and help the Australian economy.*
Service starts here
Members of our team have been working in the hospitality industry for more than 20 years. We can help you choose the right Beer Glasses, Beer Line Cleaner and Glass wash to ensure the quality and integrity of your beer is retained and your customers keep returning.
If you would like more information, please contact a member of our friendly team. Phone (02) 9052 9111
*Please drink responsibly.