The undercover infiltration of the festival took out number one place by an undeniable margin, which in turn, embarrassed the entire craft beer community of Australia. At one time VB sold twice as much as any other full strength beer and was the only Australian beer brand that is in the top 3 sellers in every state. Victoria Bitter held the highest market share of all beer sold in Australia for more than two decades. It is these kinds of mass-produced products that many micro-brewers feel are a dying breed when it comes to Australian beer. VB have proven that this is not entirely true. He has since spoken out about the embarrassment.
Updated March 18, Australia's booming craft beer industry is demanding a fairer deal from the Federal Government, saying the current tax regime is holding it back. The number of craft breweries has more than doubled in the past five years to over nationwide. Despite standing out as a bright spot in the flailing manufacturing sector, craft brewers say they are being hurt by Australia's two-tier beer tax regime. Boutique breweries say they want to supply restaurants and bars with smaller kegs, providing fresher beer and allowing venues to rotate their selection, but say the discrepancy makes it uneconomical. Willie the Boatman began in after Mr McInerney and co-owner Nick Newey met picking up their children from pre-school.
BIG events are abound in Canberra over the next 12 months. Think Floriade, one of the biggest flower festivals in the world! How about the Cricket World Cup, where Canberra will stage several games? Of course Bob Dylan has just come and gone from our sleepy nations capital and coming soon are the Melbourne Cup Day celebrations in Canberra.
The demonstration on sausage making created plenty of interest and end result went down a treat on the barbeque. During the month a number of our members were able to enter their beers in the Australian Amateur Brewing Championships having been first, second, or third at Vicbrew. It was a fantastic night, beautiful food prepared by owner and head chef at Uncle Restaurant, Dai Duong.